Research progress on T-cell responses in Staphylococcus aureus infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a common Gram-positive pathogen capable of causing a wide range of severe infections. T cells are key adaptive immune effectors in S. aureus infection, and their response patterns and functional states strongly influence bacterial clearance, inflammatory regulation, and clinical outcomes.

This narrative review summarizes recent evidence on T-cell responses in S. aureus infection, with emphasis on major T-cell subsets, context-dependent immune dysregulation, immune evasion, immunopathology, and potential immunoregulatory strategies.

Current evidence indicates that Th1/Th17 responses contribute to antimicrobial defense, whereas regulatory T cells may limit inflammatory damage but may also favor chronic colonization. Across different infection sites and disease stages, CD8+ T cells and innate-like T-cell populations, including γδ T cells, MAIT cells, and NKT cells, display marked functional heterogeneity. Recent advances in single-cell omics, immunometabolism, and immune checkpoint research have further clarified the dynamic changes in T-cell responses during S. aureus infection.

T-cell responses in S. aureus infection are highly context-dependent. A better understanding of these immune programs may inform future prevention and treatment strategies, including vaccines and targeted immunomodulatory interventions.