Mast Cells Stimulated with Peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus Augment the Development of Th1 Cells.

Background: The skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is superficially colonized by Staphylococcus aureus. We have previously found that percutaneous permeation of peptidoglycan (PEG) from S. aureus increases the number of mast cells in the dermis, as seen in skin lesions of AD patients.