Interactions between lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus: a structural and functional analysis.
The cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria contains lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PepG), which synergise to cause shock and organ failure in animals, and to activate human blood to release proinflammatory cytokines. The structural elements within LTA and PepG that are essential for the observed synergism are discussed.
Thiemermann
Christoph
C
Department of Experimental Medicine and Nephrology, The William Harvey Research Institute, St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Charterhouse Square, London, UK. c.thiemermann@mds.qmw.ac.uk
D000818:Animals; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D013682:Teichoic Acids; C009900:lipoteichoic acid