Regulation of inflammation by oxidized lipids

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Host-derived lipids, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol, undergo oxidation.
• Enzymatic and nonenzymatic oxidation of lipids generate signaling mediators.
• Oxidized lipids play key roles in inflammation, immunity, and tissue homeostasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the dual role of oxidized lipids, particularly oxidized phospholipids (oxPLs), in biological processes.
• To highlight the impact of oxPLs on inflammation, cell fate, and immune responses.
• To explore the contribution of oxPLs to infectious diseases and cancer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of oxidized lipid signaling.
• Analysis of enzymatic and nonenzymatic lipid oxidation pathways.
• Discussion of molecular structures and cellular targets of oxPLs.

Main Results:

• Oxidized lipids exhibit both protective and detrimental effects depending on their context.
• Transient production of oxPLs can initiate protective inflammatory responses.
• Accumulation of oxPLs sustains inflammation, promotes tissue damage, and favors tumor progression.

Conclusions:

• Oxidized lipids are critical regulators of immune responses with a double-edged nature.
• OxPLs have emerging roles in cell death, immune cell activation, and stromal cell functions.
• Understanding oxPLs is vital for addressing inflammatory diseases and cancer.