Endotoxin Cytotoxicity

Abstract

Summary

Cytotoxic effects of endotoxins in vitro seem to require the presence of endotoxin-specific antibody at the surface of susceptible cells. This conclusion is based on the finding that exposure of guinea pig macrophages to anti-guinea pig γ-globulin interferes with the cytotoxic effects of subsequent exposure to endotoxins from a wide variety of Gram-negative bacteria. The conclusion is also supported by the finding that endotoxin from B. abortus, a non-ubiquitous Gram-negative organism, is not cytotoxic in vitro unless macrophage donors have first been sensitized by infection with live B. abortus.