The significance of the hydrophilic backbone and the hydrophobic fatty acid regions of lipid A for macrophage binding and cytokine induction

Therapeutic Targeting of TLR4 for Inflammation, Infection, and Cancer: A Perspective for Disaccharide Lipid A Mimetics

The Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway plays a central role in the prompt defense against infectious challenge and provides immediate response to Gram-negative bacterial infection. The TLR4/MD-2 complex can sense and respond to various pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) being the most potent and the most frequently occurring activator of the TLR4-mediated inflammation. TLR4 is believed to be both a friend and foe since improperly regulated TLR4 signaling can result in the overactivation of immune responses leading to sepsis, acute lung injury, or pathologic chronic inflammation involved in cancer and autoimmune disease. TLR4 is also considered a legitimate target for vaccine adjuvant development since its activation can boost the adaptive immune responses. The dual action of the TLR4 complex justifies the efforts in the development of both TLR4 antagonists as antisepsis drug candidates or remedies for chronic inflammatory diseases and TLR4 agonists as vaccine adjuvants or immunotherapeutics. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the biochemical evidences for possible pharmacologic applications of TLR4 ligands as therapeutics and report our systematic studies on the design, synthesis, and immunobiological evaluation of carbohydrate-based TLR4 antagonists with nanomolar affinity for MD-2 as well as disaccharide-based TLR4 agonists with picomolar affinity for the TLR4/MD-2 complex.

Progress in the synthesis and biological evaluation of lipid A and its derivatives

Lipid A is one of the core structures of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), and it is mainly responsible for the strong immunostimulatory activities of LPS through interactions with the Toll-like receptors and other molecules in the human immune system. To obtain structurally homogeneous and well-defined lipid As and its derivatives in quantities meaningful for various biological studies and applications, their chemical synthesis has become a focal point. This review has provided a survey of significant progresses made in the synthesis of lipid A, and its derivatives that carry diverse saturated and unsaturated lipids, have the phosphate group at its reducing end replaced with a more stable phosphate or carboxyl group, or lack the reducing end phosphate or both phosphate groups, as well as progresses in the synthesis of LPS analogs and other lipid A conjugates. These synthetic molecules have facilitated the elucidation of the structure-activity relationships of lipid A useful for the design and development of lipid A based therapeutics, such as those utilized to treat sepsis, and other medical applications, for example the use of monophosphoryl lipid A as a carrier molecule for the study of fully synthetic self-adjuvanting conjugate vaccines. These topics are also briefly covered in the current review.

LPS-dependent changes in the expression of 57 kDa and 53 kDa cell membrane proteins without participation of CD14

It is widely presumed that in addition to CD14, other molecules are necessary for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cell activation. In order to shed light on some of the biological and biochemical properties of these molecules, we examined the LPS responsiveness of CD14-negative, ST2 cells. Although ST2 cells do not express CD14 mRNA, they, nonetheless, expressed IL-6 mRNA and synthesized IL-6 protein when incubated with LPS in serum-free medium ( i.e. without soluble CD14). Paxlitacel (Taxol™) also induced IL-6 mRNA expression in ST2 cells, while Rhodobacter sphaeroides diphoshoryl lipid A (RsDPLA) inhibited both LPS- and Taxol-induced expression of IL-6 mRNA. Collectively, these data suggest that LPS, RsDPLA, and Taxol all recognize the same receptor complex on ST2 cells and do not require the participation of CD14. In addition, using antibody raised against the ST2 cell membrane fraction, we detected a set of LPS-specific membrane antigens in murine peritoneal macrophages, including two designated p57 (57 kDa) and p53 (53 kDa). There was no qualitative difference in the expression of p57 and p53 in LPS-responsive, C3H/HeN and LPS-hyporesponsive, C3H/HeJ macrophages. However, after stimulating the macrophages with LPS or Taxol, expression of p57 and p53 was diminished in C3H/HeN macrophages, but not in C3H/HeJ macrophages. Phorbol ester (PMA) and A23187 calcium ionophore did not suppress p57 or p53 expression, and the lipid A precursor, PE406, did not bind to either protein. Thus, p57 and p53 may play important roles in LPS-evoked responses, but they do not appear to serve as LPS receptors.

Structural and biological characterisation of a novel tetra-acyl lipid A from Escherichia coli F515 lipopolysaccharide acting as endotoxin antagonist in human monocytes

We here report on the structural analysis of a novel tetra-acyl lipid A (LAtetra) isolated from Escherichia coli deep rough (Re)-mutant strain F515. In addition to the biologically active hexa-acyl E. coli-type lipid A (compound 506), this incompletely acylated lipid A was found to be also present in the native LPS. Its structure was studied without further derivatisation by chemical analysis, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, and one- and two-dimensional 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. It was found to be structurally distinct from the tetraacyl lipid A biosynthetic precursor Ia (compound 406) in lacking the primary ( R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid 14:0(3-OH) in position 3′ ester-linked to the `non-reducing' glucosamine (GlcN II). The hydroxyl group at the ( R)-3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid attached to position 2′ of GlcN II was found to be substituted by dodecanoic acid (12:0), thus forming a dodecanoyloxytetradecanoyl residue 14:0[3- O(12:0)]. The acylation pattern at the `reducing' GlcN I was identical to that of compound 406 in having two primary ( R)-3-hydroxy tetradecanoic acid residues [14:0(3-OH)] attached to positions 3 (ester-linked) and 2 (amide-linked), respectively. In human mononuclear cells (hMNC) the new LAtetra antagonized LPS-induced release of interleukine-1 (IL-1), interleukine-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in a dose-dependant manner with identical antagonistic potency as compared with compound 406. Also like compound 406, it was found to be an agonist in murine macrophage-like J774.1 cells.

Activity in the Limulus amebocyte lysate assay and induction of tumor necrosis factor-α by diverse Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide preparations

Different chemically characterized H. pylori LPS preparations, such as smooth (S)- and rough (R)-form LPS, a completely dephosphorylated R-LPS, and three lipid A chemotypes, from the S- and R- form LPS (S- and R-lipid A) as well as a dephosphorylated derivative of S-lipid A, respectively, were evaluated for expression of potency in a quantitative chromogenic Limulus amebocyte (CLAL) lysate assay and for release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from activated human mononuclear cells. As far as the CLAL activity is concerned, no statistically significant differences could be observed between S- and R-LPS. Dephosphorylation of both R-LPS and S-lipid A caused a significant decrease of CLAL activity. In general terms, all the lipid A chemotypes were significantly less effective than the native LPS molecule and, in particular, R-lipid A expressed the lowest Limulus activity of all preparations. With regard to TNF-α release, R-LPS was the most potent inducer of this cytokine, even though its dephosphorylation reduced activity. In conclusion, the results show that phosphate groups influence both CLAL activity and, to a lesser extent, TNF-α release, and that the core oligosaccharide synergically cooperates with lipid A for the production of this cytokine, being, however, not essential for the expression of CLAL activity. Furthermore, preliminary structural data show that H. pylori D-glucosamine disaccharide backbone, besides being underphosphorylated at position 4', is also characterized by a reduced number of acyloxyacyl residues in comparison with enterobacterial lipid A. These findings, besides providing useful information on the structure-bioactivity relationships within H. pylori LPS, further support the evidence that this non-invasive, slow bacterium possesses the ability to modulate the local cellular immune response via LPS and related inflammatory cytokines.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides diphosphoryl lipid A inhibits interleukin-6 production in CD14-negative murine marrow stromal ST2 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide or paclitaxel (taxol)

Paclitaxel (taxol), a microtubule stabilizer with anticancer activity, mimics the actions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on murine macrophages in vitro. Recent studies have shown that the Rhodobacter sphaeroides diphosphoryl lipid A (RsDPLA) inhibits both LPS- and paclitaxel-induced activation of murine macrophages, and have suggested that LPS, RsDPLA, and paclitaxel share the same receptor site on murine macrophages. To analyze this receptor site, the present study focused on the interactions between LPS, RsDPLA and paclitaxel in the activation of ST2 cells derived from murine bone marrow stroma. The ST2 cells did not express CD14 mRNA. The cells produced IL-6 molecules and expressed IL-6 mRNA in response to LPS, but did not produce TNF and nitric oxide. Paclitaxel induced IL-6 mRNA expression in ST2 cells. RsDPLA inhibited both LPS- and paclitaxel-induced IL-6 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that LPS, RsDPLA, and paclitaxel are recognized by the same receptor complex on ST2 cells, and that the receptor functions without membrane CD14.

Glucosamine found as a substituent of both phosphate groups in Bordetella lipid A backbones: role of a BvgAS-activated ArnT ortholog

Endotoxins are amphipathic lipopolysaccharides (LPSs), major constituents of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. They consist of a lipid region, covalently linked to a core oligosaccharide, to which may be linked a repetitive glycosidic chain carrying antigenic determinants. Most of the biological activities of endotoxins have been associated with the lipid moiety of the molecule: unique to gram-negative bacteria, LPS is a ligand of the mammalian TLR4-MD2-CD14 pathogen recognition receptor complex. Lipid A preparations are often heterogeneous with respect to both the numbers and the lengths of fatty acids and the natures of substituents on the phosphate groups when present. The variants can significantly affect host immune responses. Nine species in the Bordetella genus have been described, and the fine LPS structures of seven of them have been published. In this report, lipids A from Bordetella pertussis Tohama I and B. bronchiseptica strain 4650 were further characterized and revealed to have a glucosamine substituting both lipid A phosphate groups of the diglucosamine backbone. These substitutions have not been previously described for bordetellae. Moreover, a B. pertussis transposon mutation that maps within a gene encoding a Bordetella ArnT (formerly PmrK) glycosyl transferase ortholog does not carry this substitution, thus providing a genetic basis for the modification. Reverse transcriptase PCR of this locus showed that it is Bvg regulated, suggesting that the ability of Bordetella to modify lipid A via this glucosamine modification is a potential virulence trait.

Lysine-spermine conjugates: hydrophobic polyamine amides as potent lipopolysaccharide sequestrants

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), otherwise termed 'endotoxins', are outer-membrane constituents of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipopolysaccharides play a key role in the pathogenesis of 'Septic Shock', a major cause of mortality in the critically ill patient. Therapeutic options aimed at limiting downstream systemic inflammatory processes by targeting lipopolysaccharide do not exist at the present time. We have defined the pharmacophore necessary for small molecules to specifically bind and neutralize LPS and, using animal models of sepsis, have shown that the sequestration of circulatory LPS by small molecules is a therapeutically viable strategy. In this paper, the interactions of a focused library of lysine-spermine conjugates with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) have been characterized. Lysine-spermine conjugates with the epsilon-amino terminus of the lysinyl moiety derivatized with long-chain aliphatic hydrophobic substituents in acyl or alkyl linkage bind and neutralize bacterial lipopolysaccharides, and may be of use in the prevention or treatment of endotoxic shock states.

Functionalized dendrimers as endotoxin sponges

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), otherwise termed 'endotoxins', are outer-membrane constituents of Gram-negative bacteria, and play a key role in the pathogenesis of 'Septic Shock', a major cause of mortality in the critically ill patient. We had previously defined the pharmacophore necessary for small molecules to specifically bind and neutralize LPS and, using animal models of sepsis, have shown that the sequestration of circulatory LPS by small molecules is a therapeutically viable strategy. Polyamidoamine dendrimers, with the surface amines substoichiometrically derivatized with alkyl groups bind LPS with high affinity, neutralize LPS-induced inflammatory responses in vitro, and afford protection in a murine model of endotoxic shock. Dendrimers represent a new class of potentially useful compounds for the therapy of Gram-negative sepsis.

A synthetic peptide derived from bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein neutralizes endotoxin in vitro and in vivo

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS [endotoxin]), a structural component of gram-negative bacteria, is implicated in the pathogenesis of septic shock. Lipid A is an evolutionarily conserved region of LPS that has been identified as the toxic component of LPS. Therapeutic strategies for the treatment of septic shock in humans are currently focused on neutralization of LPS. Here, the anti-endotoxin activity of BNEP, a synthetic peptide derived from the human bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI; aa 148-161) was investigated in vitro and in experimental animal endotoxemia models in vivo. The ability of BNEP to bind LPS from Escherichia coli O55:B5 and lipid A from Salmonella Re 595 was tested using an affinity sensor assay, and its ability to neutralize LPS was tested using a sensitive Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay. Polymyxin B (PMB) was used as the positive control in the in vitro experiments and in mouse experiments. We found that BNEP and PMB bound LPS with a similar affinity (Kd values of 25.4 and 25.8 nM, respectively). In contrast, BNEP bound lipid A with a slightly lower affinity than that of PMB (Kd values of 8 and 5.6 nM, respectively). The exact capacity of BNEP binding to LPS was approximately 0.53 microg peptide per 1 ng of LPS, as shown by affinity sensor assay. The LAL test showed that 256 microg of BNEP almost completely neutralized 2 ng LPS. In vivo, mice were randomized, intravenously injected with BNEP (0.5-10 mg/kg) or 1 mg/kg PMB, and then lethally challenged with 20 mg/kg LPS. We found that 5 mg/kg BNEP significantly protected mice from LPS challenge. In an endotoxemia rat model, animals were co-treated with 5 or 10 mg/kg BNEP and 10 mg/kg LPS via cardiac catheter. BNEP treatment resulted in significant reduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-6, compared with LPS-only control animals. In addition, 10 mg/kg BNEP-treated animals showed a significant decrease in plasma endotoxin levels in comparison to animals treated with LPS alone. These results provide evidence that BNEP effectively neutralizes LPS in vitro and in vivo, and could protect animals from the lethal effects of LPS via decreasing plasma endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokines. Our work suggests that this peptide is worthy of further investigation as a possible novel treatment for septic shock.

Structural requirements for TLR4-mediated LPS signalling: a biological role for LPS modifications

Cells of the mucosal lining are the first to encounter invading bacteria during infection, and as such, they have developed numerous ways of detecting microbial intruders. Recently, we showed that epithelial cells recognize lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through the CD14-Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 complex. Here, we identify the substructures of LPS that are recognized by the TLR4 receptor complex. In contrast to lipid A, the O-antigen does not mediate an inflammatory response; rather it interferes with the lipid A recognition. An Escherichia coli strain genetically modified to express penta-acylated lipid A not only showed reduced immunogenicity, but was also found to inhibit pro-inflammatory signalling induced by wild-type E. coli (hexa-acylated lipid A) as well as LPS from other bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Furthermore, penta-acylated LPS from Pseudomonas aeruginosa acted as an antagonist to hexa-acylated E. coli LPS, as did E. coli, as shown by its inhibitory effect on IL-8 production in stimulated cells. Hypo-acylated lipid A, such as that of P. aeruginosa, is found in several species within the gut microflora as well as in several bacteria causing chronic infections. Thus, our results suggest that the composition of the microflora may be important in modulating pro-inflammatory signalling in epithelial cells under normal as well as pathologic conditions.

Neisseria meningitidis lipooligosaccharide structure-dependent activation of the macrophage CD14/Toll-like receptor 4 pathway

Meningococcal lipopoly(oligo)saccharide (LOS) is a major inflammatory mediator of fulminant meningococcal sepsis and meningitis. Highly purified wild-type meningococcal LOS and LOS from genetically defined mutants of Neisseria meningitidis that contained specific mutations in LOS biosynthesis pathways were used to confirm that meningococcal LOS activation of macrophages was CD14/Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-MD-2 dependent and to elucidate the LOS structural requirement for TLR4 activation. Expression of TLR4 but not TLR2 was required, and antibodies to both TLR4 and CD14 blocked meningococcal LOS activation of macrophages. Meningococcal LOS alpha or beta chain oligosaccharide structure did not influence CD14/TLR4-MD-2 activation. However, meningococcal lipid A, expressed by meningococci with defects in 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid (KDO) biosynthesis or transfer, resulted in an approximately 10-fold (P < 0.0001) reduction in biologic activity compared to KDO2-containing meningococcal LOS. Removal of KDO2 from LOS by acid hydrolysis also dramatically attenuated cellular responses. Competitive inhibition assays showed similar binding of glycosylated and unglycosylated lipid A to CD14/TLR4-MD-2. A decrease in the number of lipid A phosphate head groups or penta-acylated meningococcal LOS modestly attenuated biologic activity. Meningococcal endotoxin is a potent agonist of the macrophage CD14/TLR4-MD-2 receptor, helping explain the fulminant presentation of meningococcal sepsis and meningitis. KDO2 linked to meningococcal lipid A was structurally required for maximal activation of the human macrophage TLR4 pathway and indicates an important role for KDO-lipid A in endotoxin biologic activity.

Synthesis of lipid A derivatives and their interactions with polymyxin B and polymyxin B nonapeptide

Lipid A is the causative agent of Gram-negative sepsis, a leading cause of mortality among hospitalized patients. Compounds that bind lipid A can limit its detrimental effects. Polymyxin B, a cationic peptide antibiotic, is one of the simplest molecules capable of selectively binding lipid A and may serve as a model for further development of lipid A binding agents. However, association of polymyxin B with lipid A is not fully understood, primarily due to the low solubility of lipid A in water and inhomogeneity of lipid A preparations. To better understand lipid A-polymyxin B interaction, pure lipid A derivatives were prepared with incrementally varied lipid chain lengths. These compounds proved to be more soluble in water than lipid A, with higher aggregation concentrations. Isothermal titration calorimetric studies of these lipid A derivatives with polymyxin B and polymyxin B nonapeptide indicate that binding stoichiometries (peptide to lipid A derivative) are less than 1 and that affinities of these binding partners correlate with the aggregation states of the lipid A derivatives. These studies also suggest that cooperative ionic interactions dominate association of polymyxin B and polymyxin B nonapeptide with lipid A.

Structural basis for interactions between lung surfactant protein C and bacterial lipopolysaccharide

In the respiratory tract, recognition of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysacharide, LPS) is a critical step of the innate host defense system directed against invading pathogens. Secretions of the airways contain proteins that have direct antimicrobial activity (lysozyme, lactoferrin, defensins, and cathelicidins) as well as complement factors and surfactant proteins that contribute to host defense. The hydrophobic surfactant protein C (SP-C) recognizes LPS (Augusto, L., Le Blay, K., Auger, G., Blanot, D., and Chaby, R. (2001) Am. J. Physiol. 281, L776-L785). In the present study, using synthetic analogs of SP-C, we demonstrate that the palmitoyl residues of SP-C are not required for the interaction with LPS and that both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions of SP-C are required for specific binding of a radiolabeled rough-type LPS. In addition, using LPS submitted to different chemical treatments as well as synthetic analogs of the lipid A moiety of LPS, we established that the terminal phosphate group at the reducing end of the lipid A disaccharide in alpha configuration is of crucial importance for recognition by SP-C. The N-linked fatty acyl chain on the reducing glucosamine of lipid A also takes part in the interaction. Dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine is not specifically required for the LPS-binding activity of SP-C, although a lipid environment significantly increases the binding. These results provide a basis for experiments on the role of SP-C in presentation of LPS to alveolar cells and for the design of drugs for the management of endotoxin-induced lung injury.

The Neisseria gonorrhoeae lpxLII gene encodes for a late-functioning lauroyl acyl transferase, and a null mutation within the gene has a significant effect on the induction of acute inflammatory responses

LPS is a fundamental constituent of the outer membrane of all Gram-negative bacteria, and the lipid A domain plays a central role in the induction of inflammatory responses. We identified genes of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae lipid A biosynthetic pathway by searching the complete gonococcal genome sequence with sequences of known enzymes from other species. The lpxLII gene was disrupted by an insertion-deletion in an attenuated aroA mutant of the gonococcal strain MS11. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipid A analysis demonstrated that the lpxLII mutant had synthesized an altered LPS molecule lacking a single lauric fatty acid residue in the GlcN II of the lipid A backbone. LPS of the lpxLII mutant had a markedly reduced ability to induce the proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 from human macrophages and IL-8 from polymorphonuclear cells. This study demonstrates that the lpxLII gene in gonococci encodes for a late-functioning lauroyl acyl transferase that adds a lauric acid at position 2' in the lipid A backbone. The presence of lauric acid at such a position appears to be crucial for the induction of full inflammatory responses by N. gonorrhoeae LPS.

Mediators of hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Inhalation of Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (S. rectivirgula) causes farmer's lung disease, a classic example of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). HP is characterized by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) neutrophilia (within the first 48 hours after inhalation), followed by BALF lymphocytosis. We utilized a well-described murine model of HP to determine the timing of the appearance of the C-C chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha); the inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6); and the Th1 -differentiating cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12) in BALF. After a single intratracheal administration of S. rectivirgula, there was remarkable BALF neutrophilia (peak 24 to 48 hours), followed by a BALF lymphocytosis (peak 48 to 72 hours) in both C57Bl/6 and BALB/c mice that was preceded by the appearance of MIP-1alpha in BALF (peak 4 to 6 hours) and MCP-1 (peak at 48 hours). In both strains of mice there was a striking increase of BALF IL-12 (peak 48 to 72 hours). There was also an increase in BALF IL-6, IL-1alpha, and TNF that was greater in the BALB/c mice than in the C57Bl/6 mice. S. rectivirgula induced the secretion of MIP-1alpha, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-1alpha, and IL-12 from the murine macrophage cell line J774A.1; MIP-1alpha, IL-6, IL-1alpha, IL-12, and TNF from C57Bl/6 alveolar macrophages; and IL-1alpha, IL-6, and TNF-but not IL-12-from BALB/c alveolar macrophages. We conclude that chemokines and cytokines induced by intratracheal administration of S. rectivirgula precede BALF neutrophilia and lymphocytosis and may cause differentiation of Th1 cells; we also conclude that pulmonary macrophages represent a potential source of these substances.

Molecular dynamics study on lipid A from Escherichia coli: insights into its mechanism of biological action

Structural properties of the Escherichia coli lipid A moiety were analysed by means of molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations and compared to synthetic monophospho and dephospho analogues with different biological activities in the Limulus assay. The conformation of glucosamine disaccharide headgroup, order and packing of fatty acid chains, solvation of phosphate groups, coordination by water molecules, sodium counterions and models of cationic amino acid side chains were described in terms of mean values, mean residence times, radial distribution functions, coordination numbers, solvation and interaction energies. Solvation and polar interactions of the phosphate groups were correlated to known biological activities the lipid A variants. The observed relationship between the biological effect and the number and position of the phosphate groups were explained with the help of simple mechanistic models of lipid A action. The possible mechanism of action involving specific binding of lipid A disaccharide headgroup to cationic residues of a receptor model was compared with an alternative mechanism, which assumes a relationship between the ability to adopt non-lamellar supramolecular structures and the biological activity. Conclusions are drawn about the probable mode of lipid A action. Implications for rational drug design of endotoxin-neutralising agents are discussed.

Lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan: CD14-dependent bacterial inducers of inflammation

Surface structures of bacteria contribute to the microbial pathogenic potential and are capable of causing local and generalized inflammatory reactions. Among these factors, endotoxin and peptidoglycan are of particular medical importance. Both toxic bacterial polymers are now recognized to interact with the same cellular receptor, the CD14 molecule, which is expressed on different types of immune cells, in particular, monocytes/macrophages. The interaction between these bacterial activators and CD14 leads to the production of endogenous mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1 (IL-1), and IL-6, which are ultimately responsible for phlogistic responses. The fact that CD14 recognizes not only endotoxin and peptidoglycan but also other glycosyl-based microbial polymers suggests that this cellular surface molecule represents a lectin.

Interpretation of biological activity data of bacterial endotoxins by simple molecular models of mechanism of action

Lipid A moiety has been identified as the bioactive component of bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides). However, the molecular mechanism of biological activity of lipid A is still not fully understood. This paper contributes to understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of bacterial endotoxins by comparing molecular modelling results for two possible mechanisms with the underlying experimental data. Mechanisms of action involving specific binding of lipid A to a protein receptor as well as nonspecific intercalation into phospholipid membrane of a host cell were modelled and analysed. As the cellular receptor for endotoxin has not been identified, a model of a peptidic pseudoreceptor was proposed, based on molecular structure, symmetry of the lipid A moiety and the observed character of endotoxin-binding sites in proteins. We have studied the monomeric form of lipid A from Escherichia coli and its seven synthetic analogues with varying numbers of phosphate groups and correlated them with known biological activities determined by the Limulus assay. Gibbs free energies associated with the interaction of lipid A with the pseudoreceptor model and intercalation into phospholipid membrane calculated by molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics methods were used to compare the two possible mechanisms of action. The results suggest that specific binding of lipid A analogues to the peptidic pseudoreceptor carrying an amphipathic cationic binding pattern BHPHB (B, basic; H, hydrophobic; P, polar residue, respectively) is energetically more favourable than intercalation into the phospholipid membrane. In addition, binding affinities of lipid A analogues to the best minimum binding sequence KFSFK of the pseudoreceptor correlated with the experimental Limulus activity parameter. This correlation enabled us to rationalize the observed relationship between the number and position of the phosphate groups in the lipid A moiety and its biological activity in terms of specific ligand-receptor interactions. If lipid A-receptor interaction involves formation of phosphate-ammonium ion-pair(s) with cationic amino-acid residues, the specific mechanism of action was fully consistent with the underlying experimental data. As a consequence, recognition of lipid A variants by an amphipathic binding sequence BHPHB of a host-cell protein receptor might represent the initial and/or rate-determining molecular event of the mechanism of action of lipid A (or endotoxin). The insight into the molecular mechanism of action and the structure of the lipid A-binding pattern have potential implications for rational drug design strategies of endotoxin-neutralizing agents or binding factors.

Structure-function relationships of bacterial endotoxins. Contribution to microbial sepsis

A substantial body of knowledge has emerged over the past several decades concerning the primary and tertiary, and quaternary structure of endotoxic LPS and their contribution to the pathogenesis of gram-negative sepsis; however, important questions remain. Among them are the precise three-dimensional configuration of the LPS macromolecule and the contribution of the quaternary structure to the ability of these potent microbial factors to interact with host humoral and cellular inflammatory mediator systems. Also remaining to be sufficiently addressed is the relative contribution of endotoxin interactions with the host to the overall manifestation of disease and conditions under which such contributions serve as the pivotal event in determining outcome. The answers to these questions can be expected to provide valuable insights into potential novel therapeutic intervention strategies and approaches that will ultimately reduce both morbidity and mortality in infection from gram-negative microbes.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of oral black-pigmented bacteria induce tumor necrosis factor production by LPS-refractory C3H/HeJ macrophages in a way different from that of Salmonella LPS

Some lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preparations from S- or R-form members of the family Enterobacteriaceae and oral black-pigmented bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia) are known to activate LPS-refractory C3H/HeJ macrophages. When contaminating proteins are removed from R-form LPS of Enterobacteriaceae by repurification, however, this ability is lost. In the present study, we investigated the capacity of LPS from P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, Salmonella minnesota, and Salmonella abortusequi to induce production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in gamma interferon-primed C3H/HeJ macrophages before and after repurification. P. abortusequi S-LPS was fractionated by centrifugal partition chromatography into two LPS forms: SL-LPS, having homologous long O-polysaccharide chains, and SS-LPS having short oligosaccharide chains. Prior to repurification, all LPS forms except SL-LPS induced TNF production in both C3H/HeJ and C3H/HeN macrophages. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that repurification removed contaminating protein from the preparations, and repurified SS-LPS and S. minnesota Ra-LPS no longer stimulated TNF production in C3H/HeJ macrophages, although C3H/HeN macrophages remained responsive. In contrast, repurified oral bacterial LPS retained the capacity to induce TNF production in C3H/HeJ macrophages. Oral bacterial LPS preparations also were not antagonized by excess inactive, repurified SL-LPS; Ra-LPS; Rhodobacter sphaeroides lipid A, a competitive LPS antagonist, or paclitaxel, an LPS agonist, and they were comparatively resistant to polymyxin B treatment. Nevertheless, oral bacterial LPS was less toxic to D-galactosamine-treated C3H/HeN mice than was LPS from Salmonella. These findings indicate that the active molecule(s) and mode of action of LPS from P. gingivalis and P. intermedia are quite different from those of LPS from Salmonella.

Structural significance of the benzoyl group at the C-3'-N position of paclitaxel for nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor production by murine macrophages

The antitumor agent paclitaxel (Taxol) mimics the actions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on murine macrophages (M phi). Recently, we have shown that the benzoyl group at the C-3' position of paclitaxel is the most important site to induce nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production by C3H/HeN M phi (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 210, 678-686, 1996). In the present study, synthetic analogs of paclitaxel with replacement of the C-3'-N position were examined for their potencies to induce NO and TNF production by peritoneal M phi of LPS-responsive C3H/HeN mice and LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice, by human blood cells and human M phi. In this structure-activity relationship study, we found that (i) the p-substitution of the benzoyl group definitely affects the activity to activate C3H/HeN M phi, (ii) the analogs having a methyl or chloro group at the p-position exhibit stronger activity than that of paclitaxel, (iii) there is good correlation between NO and TNF production by the M phi in response to compounds, (iv) the compounds tested do not induce either NO or TNF production by C3H/HeJ M phi or TNF production by human cells, (v) a previous treatment of C3H/HeN M phi with the inactive compounds can hardly affect either paclitaxel- or LPS-induced TNF production by the M phi, (vi) paclitaxel and its analogs marginally affect LPS-induced TNF production by human blood cells, and (vii) there is no correlation between the NO/TNF inducibility to C3H/HeN M phi and growth inhibitory activity against M phi-like J774.1 and J7.DEF3 cells.

Binding of bacterial peptidoglycan to CD14

The hypothesis that soluble peptidoglycan (sPGN, a macrophage-activator from Gram-positive bacteria) binds to CD14 (a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor) was tested. sPGN specifically bound to CD14 in the following three assays: binding of soluble 32P-CD14 (sCD14) to agarose-immobilized sPGN, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and photoaffinity cross-linking. sCD14 also specifically bound to agarose-immobilized muramyl dipeptide or GlcNAc-muramyl dipeptide but not to PGN pentapeptide. Binding of sCD14 to both sPGN and ReLPS (where ReLPS is LPS from Salmonella minnesota Re 595) was competitively inhibited by unlabeled sCD14, 1-152 N-terminal fragment of sCD14, sPGN, smooth LPS, ReLPS, lipid A, and lipoteichoic acid but not by dextran, dextran sulfate, heparin, ribitol teichoic acid, or soluble low molecular weight PGN fragments. Binding of sCD14 to sPGN was slower than to ReLPS but of higher affinity (KD = 25 nM versus 41 nM). LPS-binding protein (LBP) increased the binding of sCD14 to sPGN by adding another lower affinity KD and another higher Bmax, but for ReLPS, LBP increased the affinity of binding by yielding two KD with significantly higher affinity (7.1 and 27 nM). LBP also enhanced inhibition of sCD14 binding by LPS, ReLPS, and lipid A. Binding of sCD14 to both sPGN and ReLPS was inhibited by anti-CD14 MEM-18 mAb, but other anti-CD14 mAbs showed differential inhibition, suggesting conformational binding sites on CD14 for sPGN and LPS, that are partially identical and partially different.

Lipid A diversity and the innate host response to bacterial infection

Lipopolysaccharide, a component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, is a potent immunostimulatory molecule which activates the innate host defense system. Over the past few years progress has been made in identifying the molecular mechanisms of host recognition of lipid A (a component of lipopolysaccharide), the identification of the genes required for Escherichia coli lipid A biosynthesis, and the role of lipid A acylation when viable bacteria are presented to host cells. Recent data indicate that bacteria can regulate this molecule in response to different host microenvironments. Host factors that induce lipid A modifications and the resultant changes in host response remain to be determined.

Specific binding of soluble peptidoglycan and muramyldipeptide to CD14 on human monocytes

Previously, we were able to show that soluble peptidoglycan (sPG)-induced monokine production in human peripheral monocytes is inhibited by anti-CD14 monoclonal antibodies and by lipid A partial structures. This suggested but did not prove that monocytic surface protein CD14 is involved in the activation of human monocytes not only by cell wall components of gram-negative bacteria such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) but also by cell wall components of gram-positive bacteria such as sPG. In the present study, we provide experimental evidence that CD14 indeed constitutes a binding site for sPG recognition and activation of human monocytes. The results show that fluorescein isothiocyanate-sPG (FITC-sPG) binds to human monocytes in a saturable, dose-dependent, and specific manner. For maximal binding, 2 to 3 microg of FITC-sPG per ml was sufficient, and this binding is completed within 90 min; about 40% of the binding is completed within the first 3 min. The FITC-sPG binding is considered specific because unlabeled sPG and also muramyldipeptide (MDP), the minimal bioactive structure of sPG, inhibit the binding of sPG to monocytes in a dose-dependent manner. This specific binding was also inhibited by an anti-CD14 monoclonal antibody, LPS, and lipid A partial structure compound 406. Direct evidence for an interaction of sPG with CD14 is provided by experiments involving native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis that showed a shift of the electrophoretic mobility of CD14 by LPS as well as by sPG. These results allow the conclusion that sPG binds directly to CD14, that MDP represents the active substructure of sPG, and that CD14 may be a lectin-like receptor which plays a key role in cellular stimulation by bioactive components of not only gram-negative but also gram-positive bacteria.

Molecular dynamics simulations of six different fully hydrated monomeric conformers of Escherichia coli re-lipopolysaccharide in the presence and absence of Ca2+

Six previously published conformational models of Escherichia coli Re lipopolysaccharide (ReLPS) were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations using the CHARMM force field. The monomers of ReLPS were completely immersed in a water box. The dynamic behavior of the solvated models in the presence and absence of calcium cations was compared. The structure of the solvent shell was analyzed in terms of radial distribution functions. Diffusion coefficients and mean residence times were analyzed to characterize the dynamic behavior of the solvent. Order parameters and number of gauche defects were used for the description of the dynamics of the acyl chains. The cations are preferentially located between the carboxylate and phosphate groups of the headgroup. Their presence leads to a rigidification of the headgroup structure and alters the conformation of the backbone, thus influencing the structure and flexibility of the hydrophobic region as well. The effect of calcium on the backbone flexibility was measured in terms of glycosidic torsion angles. The six fatty acid chains of each ReLPS monomer adopt a highly ordered micromembrane structure. The packing parameter indicates that aggregation of these ReLPS monomers will lead to lamellar structures. Evaluation of all data enables us to present one conformation, C, which is thought to best represent the average structure of the ReLPS conformers.

CD14 is a cell-activating receptor for bacterial peptidoglycan

The hypothesis that CD14 (an endotoxin receptor present on macrophages and neutrophils) acts as a cell-activating receptor for bacterial peptidoglycan was tested using mouse 70Z/3 cells transfected with human CD14. 70Z/3 cells transfected with an empty vector were unresponsive to insoluble and soluble peptidoglycan, as well as to low concentrations of endotoxin. 70Z/3-CD14 cells were responsive to both insoluble and soluble peptidoglycan, as well as to low concentrations of endotoxin, as measured by the expression of surface IgM, activation of NF-kappaB, and degradation of IkappaB-alpha. Peptidoglycan also induced activation of NF-kappaB and degradation of IkappaB-alpha in macrophage RAW264.7 cells. These peptidoglycan-induced effects (in contrast to endotoxin-induced effects) were not inhibited by polymyxin B. Both peptidoglycan- and endotoxin-induced activation of NF-kappaB were inhibited by anti-CD14 mAb. The N-terminal 151 amino acids of CD14 were sufficient for acquisition of full responsiveness to both peptidoglycan and endotoxin, but CD14 deletion mutants lacking four small regions within the N-terminal 65 amino acids showed differentially diminished responses to peptidoglycan and endotoxin. These results identify CD14 as the functional receptor for peptidoglycan and demonstrate that similar, but not identical sequences in the N-terminal 65-amino acid region of CD14 are critical for the NF-kappaB and IgM responses to both peptidoglycan and endotoxin.

Influence of CD14, LBP and BPI in the monocyte response to LPS of different polysaccharide chain length

In this study we examined the involvement of human serum, recombinant lipopolysaccharide binding protein (rLBP), recombinant (r)CD14, CD14 antibodies and recombinant bactericidal permeability-increasing factor (rBPI) in the induction of TNF by Salmonella minnesota LPS of different polysaccharide chain lengths. Soluble rCD14 and rLBP markedly enhanced LPS 6261 TNF production and to a lesser degree also enhanced TNF production from Re 595 LPS and lipid A DP. Addition of anti-CD14 antibodies resulted in nearly complete inhibition of LPS 6261-induced TNF production and partial inhibition of Re 595 LPS and lipid A DP-induced TNF release. The ability of lipid A MP to induce TNF production increased with addition of rCD14. Addition of rLBP or anti-CD14 antibodies had no detectable effect on lipid A MP-induced TNF production. The effect of rBPI was also tested and the results showed that only the TNF-inducing ability from smooth LPS was completely inhibited by rBPI. Recombinant BPI was considerably less effective in inhibiting Re 595 LPS-induced TNF production, and lipid A DP was not affected by rBPI. Our data suggest that the ability of rLBP, rCD14, CD14 antibodies and rBPI to modulate LPS induced TNF production is strongly dependent on the LPS polysaccharide chain length.

CD14 is not involved in Rhodobacter sphaeroides diphosphoryl lipid A inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha and nitric oxide induction by taxol in murine macrophages

Taxol, a microtubule stabilizer with anticancer activity, mimics the actions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on murine macrophages in vitro. Recently, it was shown that taxol-induced macrophage activation was inhibited by the LPS antagonist Rhodobacter sphaeroides diphosphoryl lipid A (RsDPLA). To investigate the mechanisms of taxol-induced macrophage activation, the present study focused on the interaction of LPS, RsDPLA, and taxol in the activation of and binding to macrophages. Taxol alone induced murine C3H/He macrophages to secrete tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and to produce nitric oxide (NO) with kinetics similar to that of LPS. Macrophages from LPS-hyporesponsive C3H/HeJ mice, in contrast, did not yield any detectable TNF and NO production in response to LPS or taxol. RsDPLA inhibited taxol-induced TNF and NO production from C3H/He macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition by RsDPLA was specific for LPS and taxol in that RsDPLA did not inhibit heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes- or zymosan-induced TNF production. Polymyxin B blocked the inhibitory effect of RsDPLA on taxol-induced TNF production. The inhibitory activity of RsDPLA appeared to be reversible since macrophages still responded to taxol in inducing TNF production after the RsDPLA was washed out with phosphate-buffered saline prior to the addition of taxol. Taxol-induced TNF production was not inhibited by colchicine, vinblastine, or 10-deacetylbaccatine III. A mutant cell line, J7.DEF3, defective in expression of a CD14 antigen, responded equally well to taxol by producing TNF as did the parent J774.1 cells. This suggested that the activation of macrophages by taxol does not require CD14. Taxol-induced TNF production by the mutant cells was also inhibited by RsDPLA. 125I-labeled LPS and 3H-labeled taxol was reported to bind to J774.1 cells predominantly via CD14 and microtubules, respectively. The binding of 125I-labeled LPS to J7.DEF3 cells was about 30 to 40% of that to J774.1 cells. The binding of 125I-LPS to J774.1 cells was inhibited by unlabeled LPS and RsDPLA but not by taxol. On the other hand, 3H-labeled taxol bound to both J774.1 cells and J7.DEF3 cells in similar time- and dose-dependent manners. The binding of [3H]taxol to these cells was inhibited by taxol but not by LPS or RsDPLA. Although the binding studies failed to examine cross competition for binding to macrophages, a possible explanation of these results is that LPS, RsDPLA, and taxol share the same molecule(s) on murine macrophages for their functional receptor(s), which is neither CD14 nor tubulin.

Diphosphoryl lipid A derived from the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides ATCC 17023 is a potent competitive LPS inhibitor in murine macrophage-like J774.1 cells

Pentaacyl diphosphoryl lipid A derived from the nontoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Rhodobacter sphaeroides ATCC 17023 (RsDPLA) did not induce tumour necrosis factor-alpha nor interleukin-6 release in the murine macrophage-like cell line J774.1. However, it effectively inhibited the induction of these two cytokines by LPS of Salmonella minnesota Re mutant R595 (ReLPS) in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition and half-maximal inhibition occurred when the ReLPS to RsDPLA mass ratio was 1:30 and 1:1, respectively. A binding study was performed in the presence of serum to determine whether RsDPLA is competing with ReLPS for LPS binding sites on J774.1 cells. This assay allows the determination of LPS binding to J774.1 cells via a mechanism involving CD14, a receptor for complexes of LPS with LPS binding protein (LBP), and its possible inhibition. The results show that RsDPLA strongly inhibits the binding of 125I-labelled ReLPS to J774.1 cells. Maximal and one-half maximal inhibition of binding occurred when the ReLPS to RsDPLA mass ratios were 1:2.5 and 1:0.5, respectively. It was found that the inhibition of binding by RsDPLA was much stronger than that by unlabelled ReLPS. These results suggest that RsDPLA is competing with ReLPS for CD14-dependent recognition of LPS on J774.1 cells.