Eicosanoid storm in infection and inflammation.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Lipidomics
• Molecular Signaling

Background:

• Immune responses to infection and injury rely on intricate molecular signaling networks.
• Eicosanoids, derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, form a complex bioactive lipid signaling network.
• Historically viewed as pro-inflammatory, eicosanoids also possess anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the dual role of eicosanoids in immune responses.
• To highlight advances in lipidomics for understanding eicosanoid signaling.
• To discuss the induction of eicosanoid storms by infectious agents.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on eicosanoid and docosanoid signaling.
• Analysis of lipidomics data in the context of immune responses.
• Examination of inflammatory receptor activation by infectious agents.

Main Results:

• Eicosanoid signaling networks are complex, with both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators.
• Lipidomics has identified novel eicosanoids and docosanoids with crucial anti-inflammatory functions.
• Infectious agents can induce a "storm" of pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids via receptor activation.

Conclusions:

• Eicosanoid and docosanoid signaling are critical regulators of the immune response.
• Understanding these lipid mediators offers therapeutic potential for inflammatory conditions.
• The dual role of eicosanoids necessitates a nuanced view of their contribution to immunity.