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Abstract
Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS), also termed endotoxins, considered to be a major
virulence factor, are responsible for the lethal effects and clinical manifestations
of diseases in humans and animals. Higher animals are extremely sensitive to endotoxin
even at low doses but lower vertebrates like fish are often resistant to endotoxic
shock. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 is mainly involved in the activation of the immune
system by LPS through the specific recognition of its endotoxin (Lipid A) moiety.
Although several Toll-like receptors are present in fish, those molecules specifically
involved in TLR-4 mediated endotoxin recognition have not been fully established in
different fish species. Despite this, LPS has the potency to express cytokines, acute-phase
proteins and also exerts immunological, pathological, physiological, immuno-endocrinological
and neuro-immunological effects in several fish species. The immunostimulating effects
of endotoxin by triggering various immune parameters such as T and B lymphocytes,
macrophages, and complement systems have been established in teleosts. This article
reviews the multiple biological effects of endotoxin which will further strengthen
the knowledge among researchers on various aspects of endotoxin in lower vertebrates,
particularly in the piscine system.