Uncontrolled airway infl ammation in lung disease represents a defect in counter-regulatory signaling

Abstract

Counter-regulatory lipid mediators are generated during airway infl ammation topromote resolution. Defects in the production of these lipid mediators have nowbeen associated with several diseases of persistent airway infl ammation. Lipoxinsare the lead members of this class of anti-infl ammatory and proresolving chemicalmediators. Recently, several new families of fatty acid-derived counter-regulatorymediators have been discovered, including the resolvins and protectins. Diminishedformation of these endogenous protective signals would interrupt the naturalresolution of infl ammation. Here, we review how rapidly emerging information onlipoxins, resolvins and protectins is providing new insights into the pathophysiologyof chronic airway infl ammation in several common illnesses, including asthma.

Keywords:

• Analogs
• Asthma
• Inflammation
• Lipoxins
• Mediators
• Resolution