[The proinflammatory activity of lipopolysaccharide].

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the major component of the outer membranes of the walls of gramnegative bacteria that protects bacterial cells against antibacterial agents. LPS is the heteropolimer consisting of two parts: the hydrophobic lipid A and hydrophilic polisaccharide. After lysis of bacterial cells LPS is released into the circulation and it is able to activate the immunological system by stimulation of monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, blood platelets and endothelial cells. LPS can bind to plasma proteins and form complexes that increase toxic activity of LPS and affinity of LPS to cell receptors. The activation of immune cells by LPS leads to release of inflammatory mediators: cytokines, chemokines, enzymes, eicosanoids, adhesion agents and free radicals that are responsible for progression of inflammatory reactions and may induce pathophysiological processes including septic shock.