Endotoxin signal transduction in macrophages

Abstract

Abstract: Through its action on macrophages, bac-terial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or endotoxm can trigger responses that are protective or injurious to the host. This review examines the effects of LPS on macrophages by following events from the cell sur-face to the nucleus. The involvement of protein tyrosine kinases, mitogen-activated protein kinases, protein kinase C, G proteins, protein kinase A, ceramide-activated protein kinase, and microtubules in this process are reviewed. At the nuclear level, rel, C/EBP, Ets, Egr, fos, and jun family members have been implicated in activation of LPS-inducible gen