Chlamydia LPS

Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria, parasitizing eukaryotic cells. Chlamydia trachomatis, C. psittaci and C. pneumoniae are the three species of chlamydiae pathogenic to humans. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is the major component of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, contributing greatly to the structural integrity of the bacteria, and protecting the membrane from certain kinds of chemical attack. LPS also increases the negative charge of the cell membrane and helps stabilize the overall membrane structure. It is of crucial importance to Gram-negative bacteria, which die if it is mutated or removed. LPS induces a strong response from normal animal immune systems. It has also been implicated in non-pathogenic aspects of bacterial ecology, including surface adhesion, bacteriophage sensitivity, and interactions with predators such as amoebae.

Chlamydia species Lipopolysaccharide