The role of the recently described interleukin-32 (IL-32) inStaphylococcus aureus-induced mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland, is unclear. We determined expression of IL-32, IL-6, and IL-8 inS. aureus- andEscherichia coli-infected bovine mammary gland epithelial cells. Using live bacteria, we found that inS. aureus-infected cells, induction of IL-6 and IL-8 expression was less pronounced than inE. coli-infected cells. Notably, IL-32 expression was decreased inS. aureus-infected cells, while it was increased inE. coli-infected cells. We identified the staphylococcal phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides as key contributors to these effects, as IL-32, IL-6, and IL-8 expression by epithelial cells exposed topsmmutant strains was significantly increased compared to that in cells exposed to the isogenicS. aureuswild-type strain, indicating that PSMs inhibit the production of these interleukins. The use of genetically complemented strains confirmed this observation. Inasmuch as the decreased expression of IL-32, which is involved in dendritic cell maturation, impairs immune responses, our results support a PSM-dependent mechanism that allows for the development of chronicS. aureus-related mastitis.