The innate immune system detects pathogens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) found on bacteria. Examples of PAMPs include lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid, peptidoglycans, and flagellin. Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) produced by neutrophils binds and inhibits LPS delivery to CD14, thereby reducing the innate immune response. Bacterial superantigens are exotoxins that activate large numbers of CD4+ T cells by binding directly to MHC II and T cell receptors, leading to massive inflammatory mediator release.