Lipids: a key player in the battle between the host and microorganisms

Products of gram negative bacteria (LPS), gram positive bacteria (lipoteichoic acid), fungi (zymosan), and viruses (RNA) are recognized by toll receptors on macrophages and other cells and thereby induce marked changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism (1). It is now increasingly recognized that lipids and lipoproteins play an important role in host defense as part of the innate immune system for detailed review, see (1). For example, lipoproteins including HDL, chylomicrons, VLDL, and LDL can bind and neutralize LPS, lipoteichoic acid, and viruses.