In silico predicted therapy against chronic Staphylococcus aureus infection leads to bacterial clearance in vivo

Staphylococcus aureus can lead to chronic infections and abscesses in internal organs including kidneys, which are associated with the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and their suppressive effect on T cells. Here, we developed a mathematical model of chronic S. aureus infection that incorporates the T-cell suppression by MDSCs and suggests therapeutic strategies for S. aureus clearance. A therapeutic protocol with heat-killed S. aureus (HKSA) was quantified in silico and tested in vivo. Contrary to the conventional administration of heat-killed bacteria as vaccination prior to infection, we administered HKSA as treatment in chronically infected hosts. Our treatment eliminated S. aureus in kidneys of all chronically S. aureus-infected mice, reduced MDSCs, and reversed T-cell dysfunction by inducing acute inflammation during ongoing, chronic infection. This study is a guideline for a treatment protocol against chronic S. aureus infection and renal abscesses by repurposing heat-killed treatments, directed by mathematical modeling.