Prevalent glutamyl-endopeptidases in the commensal skin microbiome have itch-relevant activity
Jan-Philipp Wittlinger, Sophie Weninger, Joana Séneca, Aldine Tu, Lukas Grey, Stefan Heber, Michael J. M. Fischer, Sven Schneider, Julia Eckl‐Dorna, Georg Stary, Thomas Böttcher, David Berry
The paper identifies Esp and Csp as functional glutamyl endopeptidases from commensal staphylococci that activate itch signaling and disrupt skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis.
bioRxiv · Jul 20, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology