Biological properties of the peptidoglycan.

This review deals with those biological activities of peptidoglycan that are not directly analogous to the properties of gram-negative bacterial endotoxin. The report is divided into 3 major parts: 1. A survey of peptidoglycan activities such as the induction of inflammatory skin reactions, lesion-enhancing activity (virulence factor), inhibition of phagocytosis of bacteria, inhibition of cell migration, cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, potentiation of the humoral and cellular immune response (adjuvant activity) and enhancement of tumor defense in experimental animals. 2. A presentation of factors which may influence these biological activities of peptidoglycan. 3. A brief discussion of the potential mechanisms of action of peptidoglycan.