ENDOTOXIN SIGNAL-TRANSDUCTION IN MACROPHAGES

Through its action on macrophages, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or endotoxin can trigger responses that are protective or injurious to the host, This review examines the effects of LPS on macrophages by f ollowing events from the cell surface to the nucleus. The involvement of protein tyrosine kinases, mitogen-activated protein kinases, protei n kinase C, G proteins, protein kinase A, ceramide-activated protein k inase, and microtubules in this process are reviewed, At the nuclear l evel, rel, C/EBP, Ets, Egr, fos, and jun family members have been impl icated in activation of LPS-inducible gene expression.