Interactions between lipoteichoic acid and peptidoglycan from Staphylococcus aureus: a structural and functional analysis.

The cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria contains lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan (PepG), which synergise to cause shock and organ failure in animals, and to activate human blood to release proinflammatory cytokines. The structural elements within LTA and PepG that are essential for the observed synergism are discussed.