BIOL 230 Lecture Guide - Binding of Peptidoglycan to Neutrophils

The peptidoglycan fragments and lipoteichoic acids released from the gram-positive cell wall bind to toll-like receptors (TLRs) on the surface of defense cells such as monocytes, macrophages and neutrophils. This is a normal component of body defense and is one of the mechanisms by which the body is able to recognize that gram-positive bacteria have invaded the body. The binding of peptidoglycan fragments and lipoteichoic acids to their TLRs and IL-8 to IL-8 receptors on the surface of neutrophils stimulates them to release proteases and toxic oxygen radicals for extracellular killing.

Binding of Peptidoglycan and Lipoteichoic Acids to Neutrophils and Extracellular Killing