Bacterial Infection and Wound Treatment: Researchers Discover a New Approach for Hard-to-Treat Cases

Researchers recently identified a promising new approach for treating microbial skin infections. In a recently published study, the team showed new understanding, which could result in advancements in treating bacterial infections and wounds.

In the study, as indicated in a Medical Xpress report, the researchers showed new understanding, which could result in advancements in treating wounds and bacterial infections.

This research was carried out by the first author, Dr. Rachel Kratofil, Ph.D., and co-senior, Drs. Paul Kubes, Ph.D., Justin Deniset, Ph.D. While translating their study from bench to bedside will necessitate more additional experiments and involve a model more closely linked to human disease, "it is exciting that we have made a fundamental discovery" that could enhance infections, as well as tissue repair in humans, specifically hard-to-treat cases, Kratofil explained.

Neutrophils and Monocytes

Traditionally, scientists have thought that neutrophils and monocytes with white blood cells were recruited to clear microbes from an infected area of the skin.

When such cells work together, they act as the body's first line of defense of the immune system.

Nonetheless, the new study published in the Nature journal shows that monocytes alone are capable of facilitating quicker healing of wounds.

Monocytes help the healing process by controlling leptin levels and blood vessel growth during the repair of wounds. They generate ghrelin, too, a hormone that helps wounds heal more effectively.

S. Aureus

Essentially, Ghrelin is produced by the stomach when one is hungry, and leptin, also a hormone, is generated by fat cells after he eats a meal and feels full.

Such a balance between ghrelin and leptin has long been crucial to metabolism and diet. However, until now, it has remained unknown for its link to immune mechanisms and tissue repair.

Using intravital microscopy, which enables observation of live cells, and is a specialization of Kubes Lab, Kratofil was able to visualize the immune response to Staphylococcus aureus or S. aureus bacteria in an animal prototype.

S. aureus is a germ typically found on the skin or in the nose of a healthy body. It can be a catalyst for a wide range of diseases associated with skin and tissue infections, like abscesses or boils.

Growing Production of Leptins

In some instances, the bacteria can result in severe infections such as pneumonia and endocarditis, a life-threatening infection of the inner lining of the chambers and valves of the heart.

Following an S. aureus infection described in a News-Medical.Net report, the body recruits helpful immune cells, neutrophils, and monocytes. Essentially, neutrophils are clear bacteria, while monocytes help repair tissue.

In the absence of monocytes, there is a growing production of leptins, resulting in the growth of blood vessels in the infection.

Such a result can be delayed healing and scarring. On the contrary, monocytes generate ghrelin in the infection area, which blocks the formation of excess blood vessel growth driven by leptin, resulting in tissue repair.

Related information about new approaches for wound treatment is shown on the University of Australia's YouTube video below:

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