Conserved lipopolysaccharide core glycolipid (LPS core)

The conserved lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core glycolipid is a vital structural element located within the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, serving as the bridge between the hydrophobic Lipid A and the distal O-antigen [1]. It is divided into an inner core, characterized by the presence of 3-deoxy-D-manno-oct-2-ulosonic acid (KDO) and heptose, and an outer core consisting of various hexoses [1, 2]. Because the core region exhibits significant structural conservation across diverse bacterial species, it has been extensively investigated as a target for broad-spectrum anti-endotoxin therapies and vaccines [3]. Biologically, the core is indispensable for maintaining the integrity of the bacterial cell envelope and providing resistance against environmental stressors, including host-derived antimicrobial peptides [2]. During infection, the release of LPS into the bloodstream can trigger a massive systemic inflammatory response by activating the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway, potentially resulting in life-threatening septic shock [4]. Therapeutic approaches targeting this region, such as the monoclonal antibodies Nebacumab and Edobacomab, were designed to neutralize the endotoxic effects of LPS, although clinical success has been limited by the complexity of sepsis pathophysiology [3, 5]. Sources: [1] Raetz CR, Whitfield C. Annu Rev Biochem. 2002; [2] Whitfield C, Trent MS. Annu Rev Biochem. 2014; [3] Fink MP. JAMA. 1991; [4] Park BS, Lee JO. Exp Mol Med. 2013; [5] Warren HS, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 1993.

Other names

Core oligosaccharideLPS core regionEndotoxin coreR-coreLipopolysaccharide core

Neutralization of endotoxin-mediated inflammatory signaling through TLR4 and disruption of bacterial outer membrane integrity leading to cell death.