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.