Abstract
Crude endotoxin preparations from Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides gingivalis showed activity in the two principal bio-assays for interleukin 1--the lymphocyte activating factor assay and stimulation of chondrocyte collagenase synthesis. Lipopolysaccharides purified from the crude endotoxins had reduced activity in the chondrocyte collagenase assay. The activity of the endotoxins may be due to synergic interaction between their lipopolysaccharides and other, as yet unidentified, bacterial components.