FIGURE 7.

Simplified model of the inflammatory response of STAT3-deficient and WT BMDM to S. aureus. The figure summarizes the most relevant findings in our study and sets them into context of other pathways involved. (A) Nonactivated BMDM undergoing infection with S. aureus result in cytokine induction via TLR2, MyD88, and NF-κB. (B) S. aureus–infected and activated STAT3 WT BMDM exhibit an autocrine inhibitory IL-10/TNF-α circuit. (C) In STAT3-deficient BMDM, stimulation with S. aureus results in a hyperinflammatory phenotype with an increased induction of TNF-α, IL-12p70, MMP9, and miR-155, as well as elevated but ultimately nonfunctional IL-10 and IL-6, as compared with WT BMDM.