A synthetic eicosanoid LX-mimetic unravels host-donor interactions in allogeneic BMT-induced GvHD to reveal an early protective role for host neutrophils

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Their Bioactive Metabolites in Gastrointestinal Malignancies Related to Unresolved Inflammation. A Review

Chronic inflammation takes part in the pathogenesis of some malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract including colorectal (CRC), gastric, and esophageal cancers. The use of ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω3-PUFA) supplements for chemoprevention or adjuvant therapy of gastrointestinal cancers is being investigated in recent years. Most evidence has been reported in CRC, although their protective role has also been reported for Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric cancer or Barrett’s esophagus-derived adenocarcinoma. Studies based on ω3-PUFA supplementation in animal models of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and CRC revealed positive effects on cancer prevention, reducing the number and size of tumors, down-regulating arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids, upregulating anti-oxidant enzymes, and reducing lipid peroxidation, whereas contradictory results have been found in induced colitis and colitis-associated cancer. Beneficial effects have also been found in FAP and ulcerative colitis patients. Of special interest is their positive effect as adjuvants on radio- and chemo-sensitivity, specificity, and prevention of treatment complications. Some controversial results obtained in CRC might be justified by different dietary sources, extraction and preparation procedures of ω3-PUFAs, difficulties on filling out food questionnaires, daily dose and type of PUFAs, adenoma subtype, location of CRC, sex differences, and genetic factors. Studies using animal models of inflammatory bowel disease have confirmed that exogenous administration of active metabolites derived from PUFAs called pro-resolving mediators like lipoxin A4, arachidonic acid-derived, resolvins derived from eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosahexaenoic (DHA), and docosapentaenoic (DPA) acids as well as maresin 1 and protectins DHA- and DPA-derived improve disease and inflammatory outcomes without causing immunosuppression or other side effects.

The Inhibition of Phosphoinositide-3 Kinases Induce Resolution of Inflammation in a Gout Model

Phosphoinositide-3 kinases (PI3Ks) are central signaling enzymes that are involved in many aspects of immune cell function. PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ are the major isoforms expressed in leukocytes. The role of PI3K isoforms in the resolution of inflammation is still poorly understood. Here, we investigated the contribution of PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ to the resolution of inflammation in a model of gout in mice.

Methods and Results: Experiments were performed in wild-type male C57/Bl6 mice. Selective inhibitors of PI3K-γ (AS605240) or PI3Kδ (GSK045) were injected in the joint 12 h after injection of MSU crystals, hence at the peak of inflammation. Inhibition of either PI3K isoform decreased number of neutrophils that migrated in response to the injection of MSU crystals. This was associated with reduction of myeloperoxidase activity and IL-1β levels in periarticular tissues and reduction of histological score. Joint dysfunction, as seen by reduced mechanical hypernociception, was improved by treatment with either inhibitor. The decrease in neutrophil numbers was associated with enhanced apoptosis and efferocytosis of these cells. There was shortening of resolution intervals, suggesting inhibition of either isoform induced the resolution of neutrophilic inflammation. Blockade of PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ reduced Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. A pan-PI3K inhibitor (CL27c) reduced inflammation induced by MSU crystals by a magnitude that was similar to that attained by the PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ selective inhibitors alone.

Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that neutrophils can use PI3Kγ or PI3Kδ to remain in the cavity and blockade of either isoenzyme is sufficient to induce their apoptosis and resolve inflammation in a murine model of gout.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators: endogenous regulators of infection and inflammation

The immune response comprises not only pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways but also pro-resolution mechanisms that serve to balance the need of the host to target microbial pathogens while preventing excess inflammation and bystander tissue damage.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are enzymatically derived from essential fatty acids to serve as a novel class of immunoresolvents that limit acute responses and orchestrate the clearance of tissue pathogens, dying cells and debris from the battlefield of infectious inflammation.

SPMs are composed of lipoxins, E-series and D-series resolvins, protectins and maresins. Individual members of the SPM family serve as agonists at cognate receptors to induce cell-type specific responses.

Important regulatory roles for SPMs have been uncovered in host responses to several microorganisms, including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens.

SPMs also promote the resolution of non-infectious inflammation and tissue injury. Defects in host SPM pathways contribute to the development of chronic inflammatory diseases.

With the capacity to enhance host defence and modulate inflammation, SPMs represent a promising translational approach to enlist host resolution programmes for the treatment of infection and excess inflammation.

Here, the authors detail our current understanding of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), a family of endogenous mediators that have important roles in promoting the resolution of inflammation. With a focus on the lungs, they discuss the contribution of SPMs to infectious and chronic inflammatory diseases and their emerging therapeutic potential.

Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) are enzymatically derived from essential fatty acids and have important roles in orchestrating the resolution of tissue inflammation — that is, catabasis. Host responses to tissue infection elicit acute inflammation in an attempt to control invading pathogens. SPMs are lipid mediators that are part of a larger family of pro-resolving molecules, which includes proteins and gases, that together restrain inflammation and resolve the infection. These immunoresolvents are distinct from immunosuppressive molecules as they not only dampen inflammation but also promote host defence. Here, we focus primarily on SPMs and their roles in lung infection and inflammation to illustrate the potent actions these mediators play in restoring tissue homeostasis after an infection.

Pro-Resolving Lipid Mediators (SPMs) and Their Actions in Regulating miRNA in Novel Resolution Circuits in Inflammation

Unresolved inflammation is associated with several widely occurring diseases such as arthritis, periodontal diseases, cancer, and atherosclerosis. Endogenous mechanisms that curtail excessive inflammation and prompt its timely resolution are of considerable interest. In recent years, previously unrecognized chemical mediators derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids were identified that control the acute inflammatory response by activating local resolution programs. Among these are the so-called specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) that include lipoxins (LX), resolvins (Rv), protectins (PD), and maresins (MaR), because they are enzymatically biosynthesized during resolution of self-limited inflammation. They each possess distinct chemical structures and regulate cellular pathways by their ability to activate pro-resolving G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in a stereospecific manner. For instance, RvD1 controls several miRNAs of interest in self-limited acute inflammation that counter-regulate the mediators and proteins that are involved in inflammation. Here, we overview some of the biosynthesis and mechanisms of SPM actions with focus on the recently reported miR involved in their pro-resolving responses that underscore their beneficial actions in the regulation of acute inflammation and its timely resolution. The elucidation of these mechanisms operating in vivo to keep acute inflammation within physiologic boundaries as well as stimulate resolution have opened resolution pharmacology and many new opportunities to target inflammation-related human pathologies via activating resolution mechanisms.

Specialized proresolving mediator targets for RvE1 and RvD1 in peripheral blood and mechanisms of resolution

Inflammation when unchecked is associated with many prevalent disorders such as the classic inflammatory diseases arthritis and periodontal disease, as well as the more recent additions that include diabetes and cardiovascular maladies. Hence mechanisms to curtail the inflammatory response and promote catabasis are of immense interest. In recent years, evidence has prompted a paradigm shift whereby the resolution of acute inflammation is a biochemically active process regulated in part by endogenous PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acid)-derived autacoids. Among these are a novel genus of SPMs (specialized proresolving mediators) that comprise novel families of mediators including lipoxins, resolvins, protectins and maresins. SPMs have distinct structures and act via specific G-protein seven transmembrane receptors that signal intracellular events on selective cellular targets activating proresolving programmes while countering pro-inflammatory signals. An appreciation of these endogenous pathways and mediators that control timely resolution opened a new terrain for therapeutic approaches targeted at stimulating resolution of local inflammation. In the present review, we provide an overview of the biosynthesis and actions of resolvin E1, underscoring its protective role in vascular systems and regulating platelet responses. We also give an overview of newly described resolution circuitry whereby resolvins govern miRNAs (microRNAs), and transcription factors that counter-regulate pro-inflammatory chemokines, cytokines and lipid mediators.

The endogenous pro-resolving mediators lipoxin A4 and resolvin E1 preserve organ function in allograft rejection

Allograft rejection remains a major limitation to successful solid organ transplantation. Here, we investigated the biosynthesis and bioactions of the pro-resolving mediators lipoxin A(4) and resolvin E1 in host responses to organ transplantation. In samples obtained during screening bronchoscopy after human lung transplantation, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of lipoxin A(4) were increased in association with the severity of allograft rejection that was graded independently by clinical pathology. Lipoxin A(4) significantly inhibited calcineurin activation in human neutrophils, and lipoxin A(4) stable analogs prevented acute rejection of vascularized cardiac and renal allografts. Transgenic animals expressing human lipoxin A(4) receptors revealed important sites of action in host tissues for lipoxin A(4)'s protective effects. Resolvin E1 displays counter-regulatory actions for leukocytes, in part, via increased lipoxin A(4) biosynthesis, yet RvE1 administered (1μg, iv) to donor (days -1 and 0) and recipient mice (days -1, 0 and +4) was even more potent than a lipoxin stable analog (1μg, iv) in prolonging renal allograft survival (median survival time=74.0 days with RvE1 and 37.5 days with a LXA(4) analog). Together, these results highlight the potential for pro-resolving mediators in prolonging survival of solid organ transplants.

Systems approach with inflammatory exudates uncovers novel anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators

Using a systems approach to mine spontaneously resolving inflammatory exudates, novel families of lipid- derived mediators were identified in animal systems that control both the duration and magnitude of acute inflammation. These new families were coined with the resolvins and protectins because they possess potent bioactions and novel chemical structures. The mapping of these new resolution circuits has already provided new avenues for appreciating the molecular basis of many inflammatory diseases. This presentation/mini review gives recent advances from our studies on resolvin and protectin biosynthesis and the actions of these novel mediators. These previously unappreciated families of lipid-derived mediators were originally isolated from murine models of acute inflammation captured during the natural spontaneous resolution phase. They are biosynthesized from omega-3 fatty acids and possess potent anti-inflammatory, pro-resolving and anti-fibrotic in vivo actions. These new families of endogenous pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory agonists were also used as biotemplates to design potent mimetics/analogs which were used to confirm each of their structures and specific functions. Moreover, together the identification of these mediators indicate that resolution is an active process at the tissue level in vivo as well as constitute a new genus of anti-inflammatories with a previously unknown pro-resolving mechanism of action.

Lipoxins: update and impact of endogenous pro-resolution lipid mediators

Lipoxins (LXs) are endogenously produced eicosanoids that are typically generated by transcellular biosynthesis. These trihydroxytetraene-containing lipid mediators and their stable synthetic analogues possess a wide spectrum of anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution bioactions both in vitro and in vivo. More recently, LXs have emerged as potential anti-fibrotic mediators that may influence pro-fibrotic cytokines and matrix-associated gene expression in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Here we review the biosynthesis, metabolism and bioactions of LXs and LX analogues and their therapeutic potential.

Resolving inflammation: dual anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution lipid mediators

Active resolution of acute inflammation is a previously unrecognized interface between innate and adaptive immunity. Once thought to be a passive process, the resolution of inflammation is now shown to involve active biochemical programmes that enable inflamed tissues to return to homeostasis. This Review presents new cellular and molecular mechanisms for the resolution of inflammation, revealing key roles for eicosanoids, such as lipoxins, and recently discovered families of endogenous chemical mediators, termed resolvins and protectins. These mediators have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution properties, thereby protecting organs from collateral damage, stimulating the clearance of inflammatory debris and promoting mucosal antimicrobial defence.

Endogenous pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory lipid mediators: a new pharmacologic genus

Complete resolution of an acute inflammatory response and its return to homeostasis are essential for healthy tissues. Here, we overview ongoing efforts to characterize cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the resolution of self-limited inflammation. Systematic temporal analyses of evolving inflammatory exudates using mediator lipidomics-informatics, proteomics, and cellular trafficking with murine resolving exudates demonstrate novel endogenous pathways of local-acting mediators that share both anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties. In murine systems, resolving-exudate leukocytes switch their phenotype to actively generate new families of mediators from major omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA termed resolvins and protectins. Recent advances on their biosynthesis and actions are reviewed with a focus on the E-series resolvins (RvE1, RvE2), D series resolvins (RvD1, RvD2) and the protectins including neuroprotectin D1/protectin D1 (NPD1/PD1) as well as their aspirin-triggered epimeric forms. Members of each new family demonstrate potent stereo-specific actions, joining the lipoxins as endogenous local signals that govern resolution and endogenous anti-inflammation mechanisms. In addition to their origins and roles in resolution biology in the immune system, recent findings indicate that these new mediator families also display potent protective actions in lung, kidney, and eye as well as enhance microbial clearance. Thus, these endogenous agonists of resolution pathways constitute a novel genus of chemical mediators that possess pro-resolving, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic as well as host-directed antimicrobial actions. These may be useful in the design of new therapeutics and treatments for diseases with the underlying trait of uncontrolled inflammation and redox organ stress.

Resolution phase of inflammation: novel endogenous anti-inflammatory and proresolving lipid mediators and pathways

Resolution of inflammation and the return of tissues to homeostasis are essential. Efforts to identify molecular events governing termination of self-limited inflammation uncovered pathways in resolving exudates that actively generate, from essential omega fatty acids, new families of local-acting mediators. These chemical mediator families, termed resolvins and protectins, are potent stereoselective agonists that control the duration and magnitude of inflammation, joining the lipoxins as signals in resolution. This review examines the mapping of these circuits and recent advances in our understanding of the biosynthesis and actions of these novel proresolving lipid mediators. Aspirin jump-starts resolution by triggering biosynthesis of specific epimers of these mediators. In addition to their origins in inflammation resolution, these compounds also display potent protective roles in neural systems, liver, lung, and eye. Given the potent actions of lipoxins, resolvins, and protectins in models of human disease, deficiencies in resolution pathways may contribute to many diseases and offer exciting new potential for therapeutic control via resolution.

New mechanism for an old drug: aspirin triggers anti-inflammatory lipid mediators with gender implications

Aspirin increases anti-inflammatory aspirin-triggered lipoxin A4 levels in healthy subjects in a gender-specific manner in a randomized clinical study. Thus, formation of aspirin-triggered lipoxin A4 may provide a novel mechanism underlying aspirin's clinical benefits, and shed light on gender-dependent therapeutics of aspirin.

The lipoxin receptor ALX: potent ligand-specific and stereoselective actions in vivo

Lipoxins (LXs) and aspirin-triggered LX (ATL) are trihydroxytetraene-containing eicosanoids generated from arachidonic acid that are distinct in structure, formation, and function from the many other proinflammatory lipid-derived mediators. These endogenous eicosanoids have now emerged as founding members of the first class of lipid/chemical mediators involved in the resolution of the inflammatory response. Lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)), ATL, and their metabolic stable analogs elicit cellular responses and regulate leukocyte trafficking in vivo by activating the specific receptor, ALX. ALX was the first receptor cloned and identified as a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) for lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoids with demonstrated cell type-specific signaling pathways. ALX at the level of DNA has sequence homology to the N-formylpeptide receptor and as an orphan GPCR was initially referred to as the N-formylpeptide receptor-like 1. Although LXA(4) is the endogenous potent ligand for ALX activation, a number of peptides can also activate this receptor to stimulate calcium mobilization and chemotaxis in vitro. In contrast with LXA(4), the counterparts of many of these peptides in vivo remain to be established. The purpose of this review is to highlight the molecular characterization of the ALX receptor and provide an overview of the ALX-LXA(4) axis responsible for anti-inflammatory and proresolving signals in vivo. The information in this review provides further support for the initial nomenclature proposition for this GPCR as ALX.

Adenovirus-mediated small-interference RNA for in vivo silencing of angiotensin AT1a receptors in mouse brain

Because of the lack of pharmacological approaches, molecular genetic methods have been required to differentiate between angiotensin type 1(AT1) receptor subtypes AT1a and AT1b. RNA interference is a new tool for the study of gene function, producing specific downregulation of protein expression. In this study, we used the small hairpin RNA (shRNA) cassette method to screen target sites for selectively silencing AT1a or AT1b receptor subtypes in cultured Neuro-2a cells using real-time RT-PCR. For in vivo functional studies, we used C57BL mice with arterial telemetric probes and computerized licking monitors to test the effect of adenovirus carrying the DNA sequence coding AT1a shRNA (Ad-AT1a-shRNA). Ad-AT1a-shRNA was injected into the lateral ventricle (intracerebroventricular) or the brain stem nucleus tractus solitaries/dorsal vagal nucleus (NTS/DVN) with measurement of water intake, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) for up to 20 days after injection. Tissue culture studies verified the specificity and the efficiency of the constructs. In animal studies, beta-galactosidase staining and Ang receptor binding assays showed expression of shRNA and downregulation of Ang AT1 receptors in the subfornical organ and NTS/DVN by >70%. Intracerebroventricular injection of Ad-AT1a-shRNA increased water intake with no effect on BP or HR. In contrast, microinjection of Ad-AT1a-shRNA into NTS/DVN caused a decrease in BP with no effect on HR or water intake. Results demonstrate the use of the RNA interference method in site-directed silencing of gene expression and provide a method for the in vivo study of Ang AT1 receptor function.

Lipoxin analogs and lipoxin formation in vivo

The definition of lipoxin bioactions in vivo and of lipoxin levels in humans, under physiological and pathological conditions, represents a main task toward the clinical use of lipoxins. The introduction of lipoxin stable analogs and of new methodology for immunological measurements of lipoxin A4 in human fluids is significantly contributing to fulfill this task. This chapter reviews the current literature on the use of lipoxin analogs, in vivo, and on measurements of lipoxin A4 in health and disease.

Anti-inflammatory circuitry: lipoxin, aspirin-triggered lipoxins and their receptor ALX

Endogenous chemical mediators or autacoids play key roles in controlling inflammation and its programmed resolution. Among them, it is known that lipoxins (LX) and aspirin-triggered LX (ATL) evoke bioactions in a range of physiologic and pathophysiologic processes and serve as endogenous lipid/chemical mediators that stop neutrophilic infiltration and initiate resolution. LXA4, ATL and their metabolic stable analogs elicit cellular responses and regulate PMN in vivo via interacting with their specific receptor, namely ALX. ALX is the first cloned and identified lipoxygenase-derived eicosanoid receptor with cell type-specific signaling pathways. Also, ALX could regulate PMN by interacting with each class of ligands (lipid vs. peptide) within specific phases of an inflammatory response. Together LX, ATL and ALX may provide new opportunities to design "resolution-targeted" therapies with high degree of precision in controlling inflammation. In this chapter, we give an overview and update of the current actions for LX and ATL, the identification of ALX and their novel anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving signals.

The role of aspirin-triggered lipoxins in the mechanism of action of aspirin

Few drugs have treated so many diseases, provided us with so much understanding of their pathogenesis, and tested our scientific creativity over the last 100 years as much as aspirin. Originally, the beneficial effects of aspirin were shown to stem from its inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX 2)-derived prostanoids, fatty acid metabolites that modulate host defense and regulate the cardiovascular system. However, the inhibition of COX 2 enzyme activity and prostaglandin synthesis has never fully explained aspirin's repertoire of anti-inflammatory effects, leaving many questions pertaining to its true mechanism of action unanswered. Here, data from a series of comparatively recent experiments exploring aspirin's unique ability to acetylate the active site of inducible COX 2 and generate a family of lipid mediators called the epi-Lipoxins will be discussed in light of their ability to exert profound modulatory effects on the innate and adaptive immune systems.

Lipoxins and aspirin-triggered 15-epi-lipoxins are the first lipid mediators of endogenous anti-inflammation and resolution

Lipoxins (LXs) or the lipoxygenase interaction products are generated from arachidonic acid via sequential actions of lipoxygenases and subsequent reactions to give specific trihydroxytetraene-containing eicosanoids. These unique structures are formed during cell-cell interactions and appear to act at both temporal and spatially distinct sites from other eicosanoids produced during the course of inflammatory responses and to stimulate natural resolution. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and lipoxin B4 (LXB4) are positional isomers that each possesses potent cellular and in vivo actions. These LX structures are conserved across species. The results of numerous studies reviewed in this work now confirm that they are the first recognized eicosanoid chemical mediators that display both potent anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions in vivo in disease models that include rabbit, rat, and mouse systems. LXs act at specific GPCRs as agonists to regulate cellular responses of interest in inflammation and resolution. Aspirin has a direct impact in the LX circuit by triggering the biosynthesis of endogenous epimers of LX, termed the aspirin-triggered 15-epi-LX, that share the potent anti-inflammatory actions of LX. Stable analogs of LXA4, LXB4, and aspirin-triggered lipoxin were prepared, and several of these display potent actions in vitro and in vivo. The results reviewed herein implicate a role of LX and their analogs in many common human diseases including airway inflammation, asthma, arthritis, cardiovascular disorders, gastrointestinal disease, periodontal disease, kidney diseases and graft-vs.-host disease, as well as others where uncontrolled inflammation plays a key role in disease pathogenesis. Hence, the LX pathways and mechanisms reviewed to date in this work provide a basis for new approaches to treatment of many common human diseases that involve inflammation.

Host control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is regulated by 5-lipoxygenase-dependent lipoxin production

Th1 type cytokine responses are critical in the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Recent findings indicate that 5-lipoxygenase-dependent (5-LO-dependent) lipoxins regulate host IL-12 production in vivo. Here, we establish lipoxins as key chemical mediators in resistance to M. tuberculosis infection. High levels of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) were detected in sera from infected WT but not infected 5-LO-deficient mice. Moreover, lungs from M. tuberculosis-infected 5-lo-/- animals showed increased IL-12, IFN-gamma, and NO synthase 2 (NOS2) mRNA levels compared with the same tissues in WT mice. Similarly, splenocyte recall responses were enhanced in mycobacteria-infected 5-lo-/- versus WT mice. Importantly, bacterial burdens in 5-lo-/- lungs were significantly lower than those from WT mice, and this enhancement in the resistance of the 5-lo-/- animals to M. tuberculosis was completely prevented by administration of a stable LXA4 analog. Together our results demonstrate that lipoxins negatively regulate protective Th1 responses against mycobacterial infection in vivo and suggest that the inhibition of lipoxin biosynthesis could serve as a strategy for enhancing host resistance to M. tuberculosis.

An oily, sustained counter-regulatory response to TB

Lipoxins are potent antiinflammatory lipid mediators that restrain and promote the resolution of a wide variety of inflammatory processes. Recent studies implicating deficient lipoxin production in the pathogenesis of diverse inflammatory diseases, along with numerous reports of the beneficial effects of lipoxin analog administration in animal models of inflammatory pathology, have suggested that harnessing the pleiotropic activities of the lipoxins is a strategy with considerable therapeutic promise. In this issue of the JCI, Bafica et al. address the other side of the coin, reporting that endogenous lipoxins compromise immune-mediated control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice. In addition to providing novel insight into the mechanisms that interfere with the development of protective immune responses to M. tuberculosis, the study raises the possibility that pharmacological inhibition of lipoxin synthesis may provide a method of augmenting inefficient immune responses in TB and other important chronic infectious diseases.