Abstract

LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDES: AN OVERVIEW

Mehul R. Chorawala*, Pratik M. Oza, Vandit R. Trivedi, Shrikalp S. Deshpande, Gaurang B. Shah

K. B. Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kadi Sarva Vishwavidyalaya, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT

Lipopolysaccharide is a structural and functional unit of cell wall contents of gram negative bacteria acts as endotoxin. LPS is an amphipatic molecule, consists of hydrophobic lipid and hydrophilic polysaccharide chain involve in innate and adaptive immune response via binding with pattern recognition receptors, namely toll like receptor-4 (TLR4) and TLR2. LPS binds to TLR4 and 2 mediate cytokine production and recruitment of inflammatory cells to the site of infection/inflammation and therefore regulates adaptive immune responses. LPS obtained from E.coli, a major gut microbiota, responsible for pathogenesis of several gastrointestinal disorders.

Keywords: Lipopolysaccharide, Endotoxin, Toll like receptor-4, Innate and adaptive immune responses.