= Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein
<Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein> is a soluble <blood serum> <protein> that binds bacterial <lipopolysaccharide> and participates in its recognition by host <cells>. Binding the microbial material and producing a cellular response are distinct steps; the name does not imply that this one <protein> constitutes the entire signaling apparatus.
A 1990 study connected <lipopolysaccharide-binding protein> with the cell-surface <protein> <CD14>. The experiments identified recognition of <lipopolysaccharide> associated with <lipopolysaccharide-binding protein>; <monoclonal antibodies> blocking <CD14> prevented the measured <tumor necrosis factor> response in the examined whole-blood setting.<CD14, a receptor for complexes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS binding protein by S. D. Wright and others>[Abstract: serum binding protein, CD14 recognition and antibody-sensitive TNF-alpha synthesis]{ref}
For an original experiment-design example, compare a fixed amount of <lipopolysaccharide> with and without a defined <lipopolysaccharide-binding protein> preparation, and measure both cell-associated material and a specified <cytokine> response. Include unstimulated controls and a separate <CD14>-blocking comparison. Increased binding and increased response are different observations and need not vary in the same proportion.
This distinction explains why detecting <lipopolysaccharide-binding protein> in a sample does not by itself quantify inflammation or microbial clearance. Interpretation depends on what was measured, which other recognition components were available and the experimental conditions.
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