A typical bacterial ornithine-containing lipid N-alpha-(D)-[3-(hexadecanoyloxy)hexadecanoyl]ornithine is a strong stimulant for macrophages and a useful adjuvant

N-alpha[3-(Hexadecanoyloxy)hexadecanoyl]-ornithine is a typical bacterial o rnithine-containing lipid (OL). The configuration of the 3-hydroxy fatty ac ids in the OL was proved to be D by using HPLC with chiral column. For this analysis, N-alpha-(D or L)-[3-hexadecanoyloxy]hexadecanoyl]-L-ornithine we re synthesized and used as standards. The typical bacterial OL, as well as the synthesized one, exhibited strong interleukin-1- and prostaglandin E-2- inducing activities, and further, it induced the production of high IgG ant i-tetanus toroid antibodies in mice. The typical OL is expected to be utili zed as a nontoxic, potent adjuvant. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbi ological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.