Lps
Synonym(s)
lipopolysaccharide binding protein; lipopolysaccharide-binding protein
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Important PAMPs identified as an integral and essential component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The name lipopolysaccharide refers to the chemical structure of LPS; it consists of a hydrophilic polysaccharide part and a hydrophobic lipid A.
General definitionThis section has been translated automatically.
- LPS is one of the strongest bioactive substances and causes violent immune reactions in the organism even at the lowest concentrations (picomolar concentration), such as cytokine release, adhesion molecule synthesis, phagocytosis, oxygen radical release, fever, complement activation, activation of macrophages and stimulation of B-lymphocytes.
- LPS triggers systemic alarm reactions, which thus primarily serve only to defend against infection (see below innate immunity). LPS is recognised by various receptors. The most important cellular receptors are CD14 and Toll-like receptors, furthermore also the complement receptor 3 (CR3 - recognizes surface-bound LPS and thereby mediates phagocytosis).
Note(s)This section has been translated automatically.
The historical name for LPS is endotoxin. It is misleading because LPS is not a poison in the pharmacological sense. Since LPS is not actively released by the bacteria, it was understood as an endogenous substance and compared to the exotoxins that are secreted.