Rapid genotyping of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) C1341 → T (Leu436 → Phe) polymorphism by LightCycler real-time PCR

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is an exdotoxin found in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. In circulation, LPS is bound by LPS-binding protein (LBP), which participates in cell activation by transferring LPS to CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4. A high LPS concentration may give rise to an exaggerated immune response, which may lead to septic shock during septicemia. However, LBP also neutralizes and removes LPS by transferring it to plasma lipoproteins. Recently, the presence of an amino acid-changing polymorphism in the LBP gene was reported, which, in men, was associated with sepsis and its severity and with myocardial infarction. Here, we describe a new LightCycler real-time PCR method for genotyping this LBP C1341 → T (Leu436 → Phe) polymorphism. In our study population of 393 Finnish blood donors, the genotype frequencies were: 86% TT, 13% CT and 1% CC.