Apoptosis induced by Staphylococcus aureus in epithelial cells utilizes a mechanism involving caspases 8 and 3

In this study, we demonstrate that the mechanism by which Staphylococcus au reus induces apoptosis in bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells involves caspases 8 and 3, two key components of a proteolytic cascade leading to ap optosis. In addition, internalized S. aureus induces expression of the infl ammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 beta by MA C-T cells. These data suggest that the internalization of S. aureus could i nduce specific cellular responses in vivo that may ultimately impact the co urse of infection.