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Stimulation of human neutrophils and monocytes by staphylococcal phenol‐soluble modulin

Modulins represent microbial products that stimulate cytokine production in host cells. The modulins responsible for gram‐positive sepsis remain poorly understood. Staphylococci release a factor (or factors) that activates nuclear factor‐κB and stimulates cytokine production in cells of macrophage lineage. This factor, termed phenol‐soluble modulin (PSM), has been recently isolated from culture supernatant of Staphylococcus epidermidis. We examined the effects of PSM on proinflammatory properties of human neutrophils and monocytes in vitro. PSM activated the respiratory (oxidative) burst in neutrophils and primed neutrophils for enhanced respiratory burst activity in response to formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine. PSM also stimulated neutrophil degranulation as reflected by increased surface expression of CD11b and CD18, which was accompanied by rapid shedding of l‐selectin. Spontaneous apoptosis of both neutrophils and monocytes was inhibited by PSM. Furthermore, PSM also functioned as a chemoattractant factor for both neutrophils and monocytes. Thus, the proinflammatory properties of PSM resemble those of both lipopolysaccharide and bacterial chemotactic peptides. These findings suggest that PSM may play a role in the pathogenesis and systemic manifestations of sepsis caused by staphylococci.