Loading...
The ability to control early stages of microbial invasion following skin trauma is a key component of host defense. Researchers noticed an expansion of the subcutaneous adipose layer soon after subcutaneous injection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in mice and undertook further investigation.
Analysis of the subcutaneous tissue revealed proliferation of pre-adipocyte cells during staphylococcal infection. Studies involving mice genetically limited in adipocyte production showed that these animals had increased susceptibility to staphylococcal infections and, unlike normal control mice, developed bacteremia. Increased susceptibility to staphylococcal infections was also seen in mice given chemical inhibitors of adipogenesis. Ge…