Enhancement of O2− generation and tumoricidal activity of murine macrophages by a monosaccharide precursor of Escherichia coli lipid A

Abstract

AbstractThe effects of a monosaccharide precursor of Escherichia coli lipid A (lipid X) on murine macrophages were studied. Lipid X is a diacylglucosamine 1-phosphate bearing β-hydroxymyristoyl groups at positions 2 and 3. Lipid X, as well as lipopolysaccharide and lipid A, enhanced O2− generation in mouse peritoneal macro-phages and a macrophage-like cell line, J774.1, and further induced the tumor-cytotoxic activity of peritoneal macrophages. Elimination of a 1-phosphate or 3-O-β-hydroxymyristoyl group from lipid X completely abolished these effects, suggesting that both 1-phosphate and 3-O-β-hydroxymyristoyl groups are essential for the elevated O2− generation and induction of turmoricidal activity due to lipid X