General description

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are glycolipids, a combination of carbohydrate units linked with single or multiple fatty acids that are found in the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. The LPS is an essential component of the outer membrane and the LPS structure is composed of lipid A, a glucosamine-based phospholipid, a short-core oligosaccharide, and an O-antigen, a distal polysaccharide.

Application

Lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli O55:B5 has been used:

to stimulate hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells
to stimulate the spleen and study the expression of the Malitaf gene in the fish blunt snout bream
as part of the concanavalin A (ConA) and D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS) model of fulminant hepatitis to study the effect of the natural compound hesperetin
to check the cell viability of human chorionic villi-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hCMSCs) by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay
to induce oligodendrocyte toxicity to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of few compounds
to induce sarcopenia in rats to evaluate the antioxidant effects of curcumin-loaded hydrophobic surface-modified hydroxyapatite

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are characteristic components of the cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria. LPS and its lipid A moiety stimulate cells of the innate immune system by the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a member of the Toll-like receptor protein family, which recognizes common pathogen-associated molecular-patterns (PAMPs).

Biochem/physiol Actions

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) sets up a protective permeability barrier that blocks the entry of antibiotics and bile salts, which make Gram-negative bacteria innately resistant. LPS is involved in bacterial pathogenicity as the host immune system primarily encounters the LPS component of the bacteria. LPS is an endotoxin and a highly immunogenic antigen that can enhance the immune system. The lipid A of LPS stimulates host cells via toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4).

Other Notes

To gain a comprehensive understanding of our extensive range of Lipopolysaccharides for your research, we encourage you to visit our Carbohydrates Category page.