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Published on: November 4, 2010
Resolution of inflammation in asthma
Bruce D Levy1, Isabelle Vachier, Charles N Serhan
1Harvard Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. blevy@partners.org
Clinics in Chest Medicine
|August 30, 2012
Summary
Healthy airways resolve inflammation using specialized mediators. In asthma, impaired production of these pro-resolving mediators, including those from omega-3 fatty acids, may worsen airway inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Inflammation resolution is an active process crucial for tissue homeostasis.
- Essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3s, yield anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators.
- Asthma is characterized by chronic, nonresolving airway inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent discoveries on natural pro-resolving mediators derived from essential fatty acids.
- To explore the role of these mediators in airway inflammation and asthma.
- To investigate potential defects in mediator production contributing to asthma severity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on inflammation resolution and essential fatty acid metabolism.
- Analysis of studies investigating pro-resolving mediator biosynthesis and function in airway inflammation.
- Examination of evidence linking impaired mediator production to asthma pathobiology.
Main Results:
- Pro-resolving mediators, derived from essential fatty acids like omega-3s, actively resolve inflammation.
- These mediators act as agonists at specific cellular receptors.
- Defects in the production of pro-resolving mediators are associated with increased asthma severity.
Conclusions:
- The resolution of airway inflammation involves specific pro-resolving mediators.
- Impaired biosynthesis or function of these mediators may underlie the chronic inflammation in asthma.
- Targeting pro-resolving pathways presents a potential therapeutic strategy for asthma.
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