Bacterial lipopolysaccharide fever is initiated via Toll-like receptor 4 on hematopoietic cells.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a well-known bacterial pyrogen, is recognized by several receptors, including the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), on various cells. Which of these receptors and cells are linked to fever production is unknown. By constructing 4 mouse chimeras and studying their thermoregulatory responses, we found that all 3 phases of the typical LPS fever depend on TLR4 signaling. The first phase is triggered via the TLR4 on hematopoietic cells. The second and third phases involve TLR4 signaling in both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells.