ABSTRACT
It has been long known that bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induce important changes in lipid metabolism, and more recently the notion has emerged that lipoproteins (LP) may alter the susceptibility to gram-negative endotoxin. The precise mechanisms of LPLPS interactions and the role of various lipid-binding proteins have only been elucidated in the past few years. In addition, several enzymes that are involved in lipid metabolism, but do not directly interact with LPS, influence the ability of LP to interact with LPS. LP are water-soluble complexes composed of a neutral lipid core, surrounded by a phospholipid layer that contains cholesterol and one or more apolipoproteins. These proteins serve as ligands for cell membrane receptors, as cofactors for enzymes, and can dock certain LPS-binding proteins.
