How do Lipopolysaccharides Interact with the Immune System?
When bacteria die, LPS is released and can trigger an immune response. The lipid A component is primarily responsible for the endotoxic effects. It binds to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on immune cells, leading to the activation of inflammatory pathways and the production of cytokines. This can result in fever, inflammation, and in severe cases, septic shock.
