The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the structure and biological activity of
bacterial endotoxin. Endotoxin or lipopolisaccharide (LPS) is the major component of the
ou ter membranes of the cell walls of Gramm-negative bacteria. LPS consists of two parts: the hydrophobic lipid A and hydrophylic polysaccharide with contrasting chemical and physical properties. The toxic activity is principally due to its lipid A moiety. LPS is capable
of inducing stimulation of immunological system acting on monocytes, macrophages, granulocytes,
platelets and endothelial cells leading to the release of inflammatory mediators: eicosanoids,
cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, reactive free radicals, platelet activating factor
(PAF) and NO'. In the circulation LPS may bind to plasme components such as high-density
lipoproteins (HDL) or LPS binding protein (LBP). This complex interacts with a high affinity
receptor CD14 expressed on leukocytes, monocytes and macrophages resulting in activation
of these cells and inducing pathophysiological effects such as inflammation, septic shock and
death. The consequences for the host of all these events are dependent on the extent of LPS
exposure and the status of the host defense mechanisms.Zadanie pt. „Digitalizacja i udostępnienie w Cyfrowym Repozytorium Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego kolekcji czasopism naukowych wydawanych przez Uniwersytet Łódzki” nr 885/P-DUN/2014 dofinansowane zostało ze środków MNiSW w ramach działalności upowszechniającej naukę
