Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in Immune Responses
Summary
Arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid liberated from membrane phospholipids, serves as the precursor for a vast array of bioactive lipids collectively known as eicosanoids. In immune cells, the enzymatic action of cyclooxygenases (COX‐1 and COX‐2) and lipoxygenases (notably 5‐LOX and 15‐LOX) converts arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes. These mediators orchestrate key processes in host defence, including vasodilation, vascular permeability, leukocyte chemotaxis and antigen presentation. A tight balance between pro‐inflammatory and pro‐resolving eicosanoids underpins the transition from acute inflammation to resolution. Dysregulation of these pathways contributes to chronic inflammatory disorders, autoimmunity and cardiovascular disease. Cutting‐edge investigations have elucidated cross‐talk between COX and LOX pathways as well as non‐enzymatic routes of lipid oxidation, revealing novel metabolites that modulate innate and adaptive responses. Nutritional factors, pharmacological inhibitors and genetic variation further shape eicosanoid profiles, offering routes to therapeutic intervention. The global significance of arachidonic acid metabolism spans from vaccine adjuvant design to anti‐inflammatory nutrition and precision medicine approaches for immunopathology.
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Arachidonic Acid Metabolism in Immune Responses publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in arachidonic acid metabolism in immune responses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Arachidonic acid: A 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acid released from membrane phospholipids as the precursor for eicosanoid synthesis.
Cyclooxygenase (COX): A family of enzymes (COX-1, COX-2) that convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandin endoperoxides, precursors to prostaglandins and thromboxanes.
Lipoxygenase (LOX): Enzymes (e.g. 5-LOX, 15-LOX) that oxygenate arachidonic acid at specific carbon positions to form hydroperoxy eicosatetraenoic acids and leukotrienes.
Eicosanoids: Bioactive lipid mediators derived from C20 fatty acids, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes and HETEs, which regulate inflammation and immunity.
Leukotrienes: A class of eicosanoids synthesised via the 5-LOX pathway, notable for their roles in leukocyte recruitment, bronchoconstriction and vascular permeability.
References
- Targeting Mammalian 5-Lipoxygenase by Dietary Phenolics as an Anti-Inflammatory Mechanism: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2021).
- COX-2-dependent and -independent biosynthesis of dihydroxy-arachidonic acids in activated human leukocytes. Journal of Lipid Research (2011).
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