Septic shock is the most common cause of death in intensive care units and no effective
treatment is available at present. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the primary mediator of Gram-
negative sepsis by inducing the production of macrophage-derived cytokines. Previously,
we showed that apolipoprotein E (apoE), an established modulator of lipid metabolism, can
bind LPS, thereby redirecting LPS from macrophages to hepatocytes in vivo. We now report
that intravenously administered LPS strongly increases the serum levels of apoE. In …