Characterisation of T cell responses during Staphylococcus aureus infection

Abstract

The development of anti-S. aureus vaccines has consistently failed in clinical trials, likely due to inefficient induction of cellular immunity. A comprehensive understanding of the discrete T cell subsets critical for site-specific bacterial clearance will be necessary to inform the development of vaccines that efficiently target adaptive cellular immunity. To investigate how exposure to S. aureus impacts cellular immunity, a novel murine model of recurrent S. aureus peritonitis was developed. Prior exposure to S. aureus protected against subsequent infection through increased IFNγ production by CD4 and CD8 T cells, elevated IL-17 secretion by γδ T cells and enhanced phagocyte recruitment and activation.