title: Structure/function relationships of lipoteichoic acids.
abstract: The role of lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) from Gram-positive bacteria as immunostimulatory molecules was controversial for many years, as inadequate preparation methods as well as heterogeneous and endotoxin-contaminated commercial preparations led to conflicting results. An improved purification methodology for LTA now yields potent bioactive and chemically defined material, which is currently being characterized in various models. A synthetic analogue of Staphylococcus aureus LTA has proven the structure/function relationship. The key role of D-alanine esters for the immune response of LTA was confirmed by synthetic derivatives. The glycolipid anchor of LTA plays a central role analogous to the lipid A of LPS. Methodological aspects and criteria for quality assessment of LTA preparations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morath
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: von Aulock
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hartung
mesh_terms: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013682:Teichoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D013682:Teichoic Acids; C009900:lipoteichoic acid