Role of Staphylococcus aureus wall teichoic acids in pathogenicity and host immune response

Abstract:

Staphylococcus aureus wall teichoic acids (WTAs) are the anionic glycopolymers containing phosphodiester-linked polyol units and contribute to the cell wall homeostasis, virulence, and pathogenicity of S. aureus after glycosylation. As the key targets of receptor binding sites and crucial antigenic epitopes in the host, S. aureus WTAs induce not only the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the innate immune system but also specific antibody response in the adaptive immune system. Furthermore, the WTAs promote S. aureus colonization by regulating the expression of virulence genes, thus demonstrating a great prospect as the targets in genetic engineering and phage therapy. We overview the biosynthesis of S. aureus WTAs, elaborate on the WTA-induced immunomodulation of host, and introduce the roles of WTAs in the invasion and colonization of S. aureus. Further, we summarize the mechanisms of the drug resistance of S. aureus WTAs and the research progress in the application of S. aureus WTAs as the targets in the development of novel therapies. This review aims to provide reference for deciphering the molecular mechanism of the pathogenicity of S. aureus WTAs and the corresponding host responses, as well as the development of preventative and therapeutic approaches against S. aureus-mediated diseases.