The binding of adjuvant-active mycobacterial peptidoglycolipids and glycopeptides to mammalian membranes and their effect on artificial lipid bilayers.

The nature of the binding of adjuvant-active amphiphilic mycobacterial peptidoglycolipids and glycopeptides to mammalian plasma membranes was investigated together with their effect on the stability of artificial lipid bilayers. The importance of these interactions between mycobacterial components and membranes is discussed in relation to immunopotentiation, mitogenicity and tuberculous infection.