Human Defensins: A Novel Approach in the Fight against Skin Colonizing <i>Staphylococcus </i>a<i>ureus</i>

• Main Authors: Olga Scudiero, Mariarita Brancaccio, Cristina Mennitti, Sonia Laneri, Barbara Lombardo, Margherita G. De Biasi, Eliana De Gregorio, Chiara Pagliuca, Roberta Colicchio, Paola Salvatore, Raffaela Pero
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-04-01
• Series: Antibiotics
• Subjects: skin infection; S. aureus; human defensins
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/9/4/198

<i>Staphylococcus aureus </i>is a microorganism capable of causing numerous diseases of the human skin. The incidence of <i>S. aureus </i>skin infections reflects the conflict between the host skin′s immune defenses and the <i>S. aureus’</i> virulence elements. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small protein molecules involved in numerous biological activities, playing a very important role in the innate immunity. They constitute the defense of the host′s skin, which prevents harmful microorganisms from entering the epithelial barrier, including <i>S. aureus.</i> However, <i>S. aureus</i> uses ambiguous mechanisms against host defenses by promoting colonization and skin infections. Our review aims to provide a reference collection on host–pathogen interactions in skin disorders, including <i>S. aureus</i> infections and its resistance to methicillin (MRSA). In addition to these, we discuss the involvement of defensins and other innate immunity mediators (i.e., toll receptors, interleukin-1, and interleukin-17), involved in the defense of the host against the skin disorders caused by <i>S. aureus</i>, and then focus on the evasion mechanisms developed by the pathogenic microorganism under analysis. This review provides the “state of the art” on molecular mechanisms underlying <i>S. aureus</i> skin infection and the pharmacological potential of AMPs as a new therapeutic strategy, in order to define alternative directions in the fight against cutaneous disease.