Lipopolysaccharides From Escherichia Coli

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, endotoxin) is the major component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. A typical LPS molecule has lipid A (a glucosamine-based phospholipid), a relatively short core oligosaccharide and a distal polysaccharide (O-antigen). LPSs contribute to the integrity of the outer membrane, and protect the cell against the action of bile salts and lipophilic antibiotics. They stimulate host cells via TLR2 and TLR4 (toll like receptors). This stimulation results in the generation of various proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNFα (tumor necrosis factor), IL-1 (interleukin 1) and IL-6.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) from Escherichia coli O111:B4 have been used:

for the stimulation of macrophages;
to induce acute kidney injury in mice;
to induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in mice to study the anti-inflammatory effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs)-derived exosomes;
to induce hyperinflammatory status in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected mice.