| lipopolysaccharide | <biochemistry> The major constituents of the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria. Highly immunogenic and stimulates the production of endogenous pyrogen interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| lipopolysaccharides | Lipid-containing polysaccharides which are endotoxins and important group-specific antigens. They are often derived from the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria and induce immunoglobulin secretion. The lipopolysaccharide molecule consists of three parts: lipid a, core polysaccharide, and o-specific chains (o antigens). When derived from escherichia coli, lipopolysaccharides serve as polyclonal B-cell mitogens commonly used in laboratory immunology. (12 Dec 1998) |