Lipoteichoic acid and protein-A from Staphylococcus aureus stimulate release of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) by human dermal fibroblasts.

In this study we demonstrated that Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and protein-A (PA) induce the release from human dermal fibroblasts of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a proliferation factor of epithelial cells (including keratinocytes). In contrast, LPS and porins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa did not stimulate HGF production. Recombinant human IL-1 beta induced HGF release. This production was synergistically enhanced when in association with LTA (by more than twice) and PA (by about two-thirds). Controls were performed in the presence of bacterial components alone. In previous studies we have shown that LPS and porins are inducers of IL-1 alpha and beta and other cytokines from human monocytes. Therefore it is possible that in inflammatory cutaneous foci and infected wounds, bacterial components may induce HGF release from dermal human fibroblasts. LTA and PA act directly, while LPS and porins act indirectly, through the release of cytokines by monocytes/macrophages. HGF plays an important role in the repair of cutaneous tissue during gram-positive and gram-negative infections.