FIG 8.

Schematic representation of the interplay of skin's UFFAs and enhanced immune stimulation by S. aureus. UFFAs produced by the sebum glands are incorporated into the S. aureus phospholipids and lipoproteins. Particularly linoleic acid in lipoproteins increased TLR2 dependently on the immune response of skin cells, leading to an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. The UFFAs on the skin act as bait for bacteria; as soon as bacteria incorporate the bait into their lipoproteins, they become more visible to the host's innate immune system.