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Differential pathogenic and commensal response of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis toward chemical signals of human skin | Journal of Bacteriology
Human skin is a chemically hostile environment, with acidic pH and antimicrobial fatty acids that challenge microbial survival. Understanding how closely related Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus navigate these conditions is critical for distinguishing commensal behavior from pathogenic potential. Our research reveals that S. aureus and S. epidermidis, although genetically similar, employ markedly distinct adaptive mechanisms in response to identical skin-derived cues. Specifically, each species remodels its membrane phospholipids in unique ways under acidic pH and C16 fatty acid exposure. These environmental factors also differentially modulate their biofilm formation and protease activity. Together, our findings highlight how the same host-derived chemical signals of skin can activate virulence-associated traits in S. aureus while supporting commensal persistence in S. epidermidis.
