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Journal of Endotoxin Research
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Structure/function relationships of lipoteichoic acids

Siegfried Morath

Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany, European Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), Joint Research Center, Ispra, Italy

Sonja von Aulock

Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

Thomas Hartung

Department of Biochemical Pharmacology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany, Thomas.Hartung{at}uni-konstanz.de, European Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM), Joint Research Center, Ispra, Italy

The role of lipoteichoic acids (LTAs) from Gram-positive bacteria as immunostimulatory molecules was controversial for many years, as inadequate preparation methods as well as heterogeneous and endotoxin-contaminated commercial preparations led to conflicting results. An improved purification methodology for LTA now yields potent bioactive and chemically defined material, which is currently being characterized in various models. A synthetic analogue of Staphylococcus aureus LTA has proven the structure/function relationship. The key role of D-alanine esters for the immune response of LTA was confirmed by synthetic derivatives. The glycolipid anchor of LTA plays a central role analogous to the lipid A of LPS. Methodological aspects and criteria for quality assessment of LTA preparations are discussed.

Key Words: Lipoteichoic acid • purification • structural identification • structure/function relationship

Journal of Endotoxin Research, Vol. 11, No. 6, 348-356 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/09680519050110061001
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