Targeting phagocytes: Learning from Staphylococcus aureus

A particular group of white blood cells, better known as phagocytes, play a crucial role in the host defense against bacterial infections. However, Staphylococcus aureus is a major human bacterial pathogen that is able to secrete proteins that specifically target phagocytes in order to avoid capture and killing by these immune cells. Staphylococcus aureus (also known as the antibiotic resistant MRSA) secretes toxins that exploit multiple targets on the outside of these cells in order to carefully seek out and kill phagocytes. As a result, Staphylococcus aureus can thrive and cause potentially severe and fatal infections.