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Molecular Mechanisms and Pathological Consequences of Endotoxin Tolerance and Priming

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Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis Aims and scope

Abstract

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of Gram-negative bacteria, is a potent inflammatory stimulant, with high doses due to disseminated bacterial infection resulting in systemic inflammatory response syndrome and death. Lower doses can induce a state of tolerance to subsequent toxic doses of LPS, but extremely low doses have an opposite effect, priming the immune system for an even more violent response to subsequent challenge. A substantial body of research exists on the phenomenon of endotoxin tolerance, which appears to be a state of generalized dampening of inflammatory pathways. Comparatively little is known about the mechanisms or indeed the phenomenon of priming, particularly regarding the shift from a priming to a tolerizing response. Our aim is to review recent findings in the field of the inflammatory response to endotoxin, with a focus on highlighting the gaps in current understanding and attempting to reconcile the competing tolerance and priming phenomena.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Biology and Immunobiology, Center for Inflammation, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0910, USA

    Matthew Morris & Liwu Li

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  1. Matthew Morris
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  2. Liwu Li
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Correspondence to Liwu Li.

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Morris, M., Li, L. Molecular Mechanisms and Pathological Consequences of Endotoxin Tolerance and Priming. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. 60, 13–18 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-011-0155-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-011-0155-9

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