The detergent octylglucoside neutralizes lipopolysaccharide in a specific manner

The stimulatory effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on human macrophages was found to be neutralized by the detergent octylglucoside (OG). Both macrophage stimulation and reactivity in a limulus amebocyte lysate test were suppressed by suspension of LPS in OG at concentrations between 0.25 and 2.5 mM, whereas other stimulatory lipopeptides and lipid containing stimulants were unaffected by OG. LPS at concentrations causing maximal stimulation of macrophages could be completely neutralized by non-toxic concentrations of OG. In addition, it was found that the neutralization in complex mixtures of macromolecules, such as bacterial cell lysate, was specific for LPS and that the stimulatory activity of the other substances in the mixture was not affected by the OG.