Lipopolysaccharide binding protein

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Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) is a protein that binds to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LBP is produced mainly by the liver. It's present in blood at high concentrations, approximately 2–20 μg ml−1.

LBP plays a key role in the innate immune response to bacterial challenge. It binds to LPS to form a complex that interacts with the macrophage receptor and initiates the pro-inflammatory host response.

LBP is a potential acute-phase biomarker in monitoring the progress of: Severe sepsis, Infectious endocarditis, Cardiovascular disease.

LBP plasma levels increase dramatically after inflammatory challenges, including bacterial sepsis.

The mean value of serum LBP levels was 11.2 μg/mL (SD, 2.3 μg/mL) and the median value was 10.9 μg/mL (interquartile range, 9.7–12.4 μg/mL). The mean value of serum LBP concentrations was significantly higher in men than women (11.4 μg/mL versus 11.0 μg/mL, P<0.0001).