Isoleucine and asparagine influence the growth of staphylococcal strains in atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic skin condition with multifactorial causes, is often linked to staphylococcal skin microbes, particularly Staphylococcus aureus. However, the influence of staphylococcal strain variations on the disease's onset and advancement remains unexplored. By conducting a culture-dependent analysis of staphylococcal strains isolated from a cohort of 70 children in Hong Kong, researchers aimed to understand the correlation between strain type, skin health, and AD.

The presence of S. aureus was found to be positively associated with AD skin, while S. epidermidis and S. hominis were positively correlated with healthy skin. Surprisingly, no specific strain type was found to be definitively linked to AD. To delve deeper, researchers conducted in vitro experiments to observe how various staphylococcal strains grow, form biofilms, and produce metabolites in relation to disease severity.

Their findings revealed distinct differences in S. aureus strain growth, biofilm biomass production, and metabolite creation depending on disease severity.

Remarkably, the amino acids isoleucine and asparagine were discovered to promote S. aureus growth, but these same amino acids suppressed S. hominis growth. These metabolic interactions of staphylococci, at the strain level, play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of AD. The study emphasizes the importance of considering strain-level and metabolic factors in understanding and managing AD.