Chemical Synthesis and Immunomodulatory Functions of Bacterial Lipid As.

Abstract

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a cell surface component of Gram-negative bacteria, and its active principle, lipid A, have immunostimulatory properties and thus potential to act as adjuvants. However, canonical LPS acts as an endotoxin by hyperstimulating the immune response. Therefore, it is necessary to structurally modify LPS and lipid A to minimize toxicity while maintaining adjuvant effects for use as vaccine adjuvants. Various studies have focused on the chemical synthetic method of lipid As and their structure-activity relationship, which are reviewed in this chapter.