Lipoxins, resolvins and protectins: new leads for the treatment of asthma

Abstract

Background: The pathobiology of asthma is characterized by the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids that play important roles in regulating airway responses. Recognition of the biosynthetic pathways and sites of action for 5-lipoxygenase-derived leukotrienes has led to the successful development of two different classes of asthma therapeutics. Objectives: In this review, we describe structurally distinct lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid and ω-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions. These counter-regulatory lipid mediators are generated in the airway during asthma and defects in their production are associated with disease severity. Conclusion: These natural small molecules are rapidly inactivated, but serve as rationale templates for the design of stable analogues with protective actions that could serve as new therapeutic leads for asthma.

Keywords::

• analogues
• asthma
• inflammation
• lipoxins
• mediators
• resolution

Notes