Glucose transporter 1 is essential for the resolution of methicillin-resistant S. aureus skin and soft tissue infections

Skin/soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a major healthcare burden. Distinct inflammatory and resolution phases comprise the host immune response to SSTIs. Resolution is a myeloid PPARγ-dependent anti-inflammatory phase that is essential for the clearance of MRSA. However, the signals activating PPARγ to induce resolution remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that myeloid glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) is essential for the onset of resolution. MRSA-challenged macrophages are unsuccessful in generating an oxidative burst or immune radicals in the absence of GLUT-1 due to a reduction in the cellular NADPH pool. This translates in vivo as a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation products required for the activation of PPARγ in MRSA-infected mice lacking myeloid GLUT-1. Chemical induction of PPARγ during infection circumvents this GLUT-1 requirement and improves resolution. Thus, GLUT-1-dependent oxidative burst is essential for the activation of PPARγ and subsequent resolution of SSTIs. [Display omitted] •GLUT-1 is essential for phagocyte oxidative burst in MRSA skin infections•ROS/RNS production during infection is dependent on efficient oxidative burst•ROS/RNS generates the signals required to resolve MRSA skin infections Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections pose a heavy burden to health care. Banerjee et al. demonstrate that Glucose Transporter 1 controls the production of immune radicals from phagocytes in MRSA skin infections. These radicals are required to generate pro-resolving signals that promote wound healing and the clearance of MRSA.