Anti-LPS factor in the horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus Its hemolytic activity on the red blood cell sensitized with lipopolysaccharide

AbstractAnti-LPS factor, which inhibits the endotoxin mediated coagulation system in the horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, was found to lyse red blood cells sensitized with gram-negative bacterial LPS, but not to lyse unsensitized cells. This hemolysis occurred even at 0°C and was completed within 1 min. The binding of anti-LPS factor to LPS must be essential for the hemolysis, because free LPS inhibited the hemolytic action of anti-LPS factor