Th2-Polarised CD4+ T Cells Enhance Staphylococcus aureus Growth in a 3D Skin Model

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterised by a skin barrier defect, type 2 immune-mediated inflammation, and microbial dysbiosis [1]. Three-dimensional human skin equivalents (3DSE) effectively mimic human skin by providing a stratified barrier grown on a dermis-like matrix. These models enable mechanistic AD studies; however, few have incorporated bacteria or immune cells, both of which are essential to fully recapitulate AD features. In this study, we refined AD-like 3DSEs by integrating Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) and immune cells to more accurately simulate AD pathology.

3DSEs were generated following established protocols [2]. An AD-like environment was created by stimulation with IL-4 and IL-13 or Th2-polarised CD4⁺ T cells, and S. aureus was applied topically. Biopsies from the 3DSEs were taken for histological assessment, bacterial DNA and human RNA isolation, and the basolateral media were collected for multiplex ELISA. Additional information about study methods and findings is available in the following repository: https://zenodo.org/records/14773303.

IL-4 and IL-13 were used to stimulate simple 3D skin models of AD. These models showed a reduced expression of filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin compared to unstimulated models (Figure 1A). Cytokine stimulation further induced spongiosis, indicating a profound effect of IL-4/IL-13 on skin barrier integrity (Figure 1B). The inflammatory milieu in the basolateral media of IL-4/IL-13 models was marked by an overall increase in levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Figure 1D).

The colonisation of skin with S. aureus presents an important factor in AD pathology, as 90% of atopic dermatitis patients, but only 5% of healthy individuals, show S. aureus skin colonisation [3]. Whether the changes in skin morphology are a cause or consequence of increased growth of S. aureus on skin is widely discussed. In clinical settings, dupilumab, a systemic treatment targeting IL4Rα, not only ameliorates AD symptoms but can also reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and has been shown to be associated with reduced S. aureus skin colonisation [4]. Our addition of S. aureus on our simple 3DSEs aimed to mimic the in vivo-observed increase in S. aureus load. However, cytokine treatment did not increase S. aureus load; neither did dupilumab reduce bacterial growth (Figure 1C). Although inducing defects in skin barrier integrity, IL-4/IL-13-stimulated 3DSEs failed to mimic the effects observed in vivo regarding systemic therapy and microbial dysbiosis. Thus, in the current 3DSEs, the in vivo effects cannot be fully mimicked.

In recent years, 3D skin models became more advanced by the integration of immune cells [5]. However, these models did not consider the analysis of skin microbial imbalances. We integrated in vitro Th2-polarised CD4⁺ T cells into our 3D skin equivalents to more accurately replicate the in vivo conditions of AD. For control comparisons, non-polarised CD4⁺ T cells from healthy donors (pan T cells) were used. The indirect incorporation of Th2-polarised CD4⁺ T cells into the basolateral media led to decreased expression of filaggrin and involucrin in the skin models, with minor effects on loricrin expression and the development of spongiosis (Figure 1A,B). Although skin barrier defects were less severe in these T cell models, an increased S. aureus load compared to respective control skin models was observed as opposed to cytokine-treated models (Figure 1C). Treatment with dupilumab effectively reduced the increased S. aureus growth in models including Th2-polarised cells. Our results indicate that immunocompetent 3D skin equivalents seem to be essential to recapitulate the increased S. aureus growth observed in AD lesional skin, suggesting that the Th2 milieu is crucial for the induction of S. aureus growth in 3D skin models.

Th2 or pan T cell integration both generated a cytokine-rich environment compared to simple models, which was even more enriched when skins were exposed to S. aureus . We observed elevated levels of IL-4, IL-13, IL-1α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-16, IL-22, IL-17A and MDC (Figure 1D). Whether these cytokines were expressed by T cells or skin resident cells like keratinocytes or fibroblasts is not known. The observed induction of IL-1α and IL-1β by S. aureus in our models is consistent with previous studies [6], suggesting this pathway might play an important role in S. aureus -mediated skin barrier impairment. Brauweiler et al. showed that S. aureus -derived lipoteichoic acid reduces filaggrin and involucrin expression and that this reduction is mediated via an IL-1-mediated pathway [7]. Most of the identified pro-inflammatory proteins appear to be a consequence of the increased S. aureus load, as they were further increased after the addition of S. aureus . For instance, IL-17A and IL-22 induce AMP production, which should protect against S. aureus colonisation [8]. Innate immunity markers such as IL-1β are secreted by keratinocytes to promote defence by inducing AMP production [9]. IL-22, detectable in AD lesional skin, induces AMP production but also causes downregulation of epidermal differentiation complex genes, resulting in enhanced S. aureus colonisation [8]. Thus, colonisation by S. aureus may induce the skins defence mechanisms, but unknown factors exist by which S. aureus can continue to propagate.

Our results represent a major step forward in the development of complex skin models, including microbial and immunological parameters, with the potential for further enhancement by incorporation of different members of the skin microbiome and other immune players. For future studies, it is crucial to carefully consider the research question to select the appropriate 3D skin model. IL-13 + IL-4 treated 3D skin equivalents seem to be better suited for assessing changes in epidermal organisation and skin barrier impairment, while 3D skin models incorporating Th2 cells are more appropriate for evaluating changes in S. aureus load.

Conceptualization: I.S., M.F., H.E. Data curation: I.S., M.F., M.M. Formal analysis: I.S., M.F., H.E. Funding acquisition: S.W. Investigation: I.S., M.F., M.M. Methodology: I.S., M.F., H.E., J.H., M.M. Project administration: S.W., H.E. Resources: S.W., H.E., J.H. Supervision: H.E., J.H., E.R. Validation: I.S., M.F., H.E. Visualisation: J.N.H., M.F. Writing – original draft: I.S., M.F. Writing – review and editing: H.E., S.W., J.H., J.N.H., E.R., M.M. All authors have read and agreed to the final version.

S. Weidinger has received institutional research grants from Sanofi Deutschland GmbH, LEO Pharma, and Pfizer and performed consultancies and/or lectures for AbbVie, Almirall, Boehringer, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Kymab, Leo Pharma, Regeneron, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Novartis. H. Emmert and J. Harder have received institutional research grants from LEO Pharma. The rest of the authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.