Immune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of biofilm infections, particularly on implanted medical devices. Biofilms are heterogeneous bacterial communities contained in a self-produced matrix that are poorly cleared by the immune system. This review discusses mechanisms employed by the biofi...

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Main Authors: Nichole D. Brandquist, Tammy Kielian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00782-y
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author Nichole D. Brandquist
Tammy Kielian
author_facet Nichole D. Brandquist
Tammy Kielian
author_sort Nichole D. Brandquist
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of biofilm infections, particularly on implanted medical devices. Biofilms are heterogeneous bacterial communities contained in a self-produced matrix that are poorly cleared by the immune system. This review discusses mechanisms employed by the biofilm, such as alterations in bacterial metabolism and toxin production, to induce immune dysfunction by highlighting recent bacterial single-cell sequencing studies. Additionally, the role of immune recognition and metabolism in biofilm containment is examined with an emphasis on the role of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells and how responses are tailored to distinct tissue niches. We also address emerging evidence revealing the importance of the infection microenvironment, host genetic variability, and bacterial heterogeneity in shaping immune responses during S. aureus biofilm infections.
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spelling doaj-art-ad10974ad09645e8a23a878acaa9112c2025-08-20T04:01:53ZengNature Portfolionpj Biofilms and Microbiomes2055-50082025-07-0111111510.1038/s41522-025-00782-yImmune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategiesNichole D. Brandquist0Tammy Kielian1Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical CenterDepartment of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Nebraska Medical CenterAbstract Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of biofilm infections, particularly on implanted medical devices. Biofilms are heterogeneous bacterial communities contained in a self-produced matrix that are poorly cleared by the immune system. This review discusses mechanisms employed by the biofilm, such as alterations in bacterial metabolism and toxin production, to induce immune dysfunction by highlighting recent bacterial single-cell sequencing studies. Additionally, the role of immune recognition and metabolism in biofilm containment is examined with an emphasis on the role of granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells and how responses are tailored to distinct tissue niches. We also address emerging evidence revealing the importance of the infection microenvironment, host genetic variability, and bacterial heterogeneity in shaping immune responses during S. aureus biofilm infections.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00782-y
spellingShingle Nichole D. Brandquist
Tammy Kielian
Immune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
title Immune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies
title_full Immune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies
title_fullStr Immune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies
title_full_unstemmed Immune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies
title_short Immune dysfunction during S. aureus biofilm-associated implant infections: opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies
title_sort immune dysfunction during s aureus biofilm associated implant infections opportunities for novel therapeutic strategies
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00782-y
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