Figure 17
Schematic representation of endotoxin neutralization by plasmatic AMPs and its influence by anticoagulation. The polyanionic heparin molecule binds the cationic AMP molecules by ionic interaction. The formation of a heparin-AMP complex overrides the endotoxin neutralization effect of some AMPs (A). The anticoagulant citrate binds divalent cations, which are responsible for the stabilization of the LPS micelles. This leads to a better and faster penetration of endotoxin binding and neutralizing substances to the active lipid A portion of the LPS monomer resulting in lower endotoxin recovery in the LAL test (B). Cationic antimicrobial peptides, can diffuse into the interior of the LPS micelles and displace the divalent cations there. This leads to a destabilization of the endotoxin micelles and to a neutralization of the endotoxin activity (C).
