Meet the remarkable mouse monoclonal antibody clone WN1 222-5, a precision tool in the realm of immunology. This antibody has a unique ability – it targets the core region of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with extraordinary accuracy while showing no reactivity to free lipid A, Rd2, or smaller LPS variants. Let’s delve into the intriguing world of LPS and its significance.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key element of Gram-negative bacteria, infamous for causing infections via strains like E. coli and Salmonella. Comprising three parts—lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O-polysaccharide—LPS forms the endotoxin essential to bacterial survival and virulence. Understanding the structure of LPS, especially the toxic lipid A and the variable O-polysaccharide, is critical for developing targeted antibacterial treatments.

Humans and vertebrates encounter LPS through exposure to enterobacteria, which release small amounts of endotoxins as they grow. LPS is heat-stable and can cause watery diarrhea and inflammation upon interacting with the digestive tract.

Additionally, LPS also plays a role in conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), primarily affecting newborns. If LPS enters the bloodstream, it binds to host cells, triggering complex responses and, in severe cases, organ failure (septic shock).

Furthermore, LPS  inhibits Interleukin-6 (IL-6), which presents a strategic method for fine-tuning the body’s immune response. As a central cytokine, IL-6 is instrumental in both inflammation control and muscle function, serving a dual role in defense mechanisms and metabolism. Targeting IL-6 inhibition offers a pathway to mitigate conditions characterized by chronic inflammation, such as autoimmune disorders, metabolic syndromes, and certain types of cancers.