The role of neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps in Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy and inflamed skin

Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) commonly causes skin infections and is abundant on the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis, where it worsens inflammation and drives skin barrier defects. Neutrophils help to control S aureus infection through their antimicrobial activity and by recruiting other immune cells; however, they can also promote S aureus skin colonization. Excessive neutrophil activity and release of neutrophil extracellular traps may impair the skin barrier and thereby promote colonization. Moreover, S aureus has evolved strategies to evade neutrophil defenses. This review explores neutrophil-skin interactions in healthy and inflamed skin and potential therapeutic strategies targeting these interactions to reduce S aureus colonization in diseases like atopic dermatitis.