Maresin 1 biosynthesis during platelet-neutrophil interactions is organ-protective

Unregulated acute inflammation can lead to collateral tissue injury in vital organs, such as the lung during the acute respiratory distress syndrome. In response to tissue injury, circulating platelet-neutrophil aggregates form to augment neutrophil tissue entry. These early cellular events in acute inflammation are pivotal to timely resolution by mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified a previously undescribed biosynthetic route during human platelet-neutrophil interactions for the proresolving mediator maresin 1 (MaR1; 7R,14S-dihydroxy-docosa-4Z,8E,10E,12Z,16Z,19Z-hexaenoic acid). Docosahexaenoic acid was converted by platelet 12-lipoxygenase to 13S,14S-epoxy-maresin, which was further transformed by neutrophils to MaR1. In a murine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome, lipid mediator metabololipidomics uncovered MaR1 generation in vivo in a temporally regulated manner. Early MaR1 production was dependent on platelet-neutrophil interactions, and intravascular MaR1 was organ-protective, leading to decreased lung neutrophils, edema, tissue hypoxia, and prophlogistic mediators. Together, these findings identify a transcellular route for intravascular maresin 1 biosynthesis via platelet-neutrophil interactions that regulates the extent of lung inflammation.