Mild alkaline hydrolysis of lipopolysaccharide endotoxin enhances its mitogencity for murine B cells

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Abstract
Mild alkaline hydrolysis enhanced the mitogenicity of lipopolysaccharide [LPS] endotoxin [from Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhosa] for murine B [bone marrow derived] lymphocytes. Alkaline-treated LPS also retained its property as a polyclonal activator. Whereas this treatment reduced the lethality of endotoxin for mice, its toxicity for lymphocytes cultured in the absence of fetal calf serum was increased. Lipid analysis indicated that there were no significant changes in the fatty acids of lipid A, but particle size was significantly reduced, and the material was more homogeneous and soluble than untreated LPS. The relationship of these effects on the structure of LPS endotoxin to the mechanism of B lymphocyte activation is discussed.