Lipopolysaccharides of Xenorhabdus nematophilus (Enterobacteriaceae) and Their Haemocyte Toxicity in Non-immune Galleria mellonella (Insecta: Lepidoptera) Larvae

Abstract

SUMMARY: Three varieties of Xenorhabdus nematophilus subsp. nematophilus released lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during bacteraemia in larval Galleria mellonella. Larval serum triggered release of LPS from the bacterial envelope. LPS activated the plasmatocytes and eventually damaged the haemocytes. LPS and its lipid A portion bound to the insect haemocytes through D-glucosamine-binding lectins on the haemocyte surfaces. The toxicity of LPS resides in the fatty acids of the lipid A moiety.