Lipopolysaccharide-binding factors are present in bovine serum

Response of vertebrates to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may be regulated, in part, by serum factors that influence the bioavailability and cellular binding affinity of LPS. Using 3H- or 14C-labeled LPS, or a novel fluorescence-based assay for detection in CsCl isopycnic density gradients, our studies indicate the existence of factors in adult and fetal bovine serum that bind LPS. Within serum-containing gradients, labeled LPS appeared in two peaks: least-dense fractions (< or = 1.30 g/cm3) and at 1.35 g/cm3. This profile was different from that of gradients without serum, where LPS appeared at 1.38 g/cm3. Binding of LPS to serum component(s) at 1.35 g/cm3 was rapid (< 1 min), saturable and specific. A partial shift (50%) of LPS from a density of 1.35 g/cm3 to other serum components at < or = 1.30 g/cm3 occurred over 1 h. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that bovine serum factors influence the binding of LPS to blood monocytes, because monocyte-FITC-LPS association increased in the presence of bovine serum.