Mediators of Inflammation Flashcards
What is COX?
cyclooxygenase enzyme
EPA
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosanoids
Family of lipid mediators derived from oxidative transformation of 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g. 5,8,11,14-cis-eicosatetraenoic acid). Eicosanoids include prostaglandins, thromboxane and leukotrienes as the main family members. Eicosanoids are autacoid mediators.
Omega-6 (
20 carbon fatty acids with a terminal olefin bond 6 carbons ‘in’ from the terminal position (
Omega-3 (
20 carbon fatty acids with a terminal olefin bond at 3 carbons ‘in’ from the terminal position (
Why are eicosanoids called eicosanoids?
They derive from oxidative metabolism of PUFA, especially those with 20 carbons (Greek prefix eicosa-)
Biosynthesis of eicosanoids Prostaglandins and thromboxane
1 Cell membranes contain PUFA in their phospholipids. Arachidonic acid (AA) is the dominant PUFA in most cells 2 ‘Stimuli’ liberate AA – the substrate for COX 3 COX enzymes transform ‘free’ AA into prostaglandins (PGs) or thromboxane (Tx) 4 PGs exit cells, bind to receptors and transmit signal to cells
What is the arachidonic acid cascade?
- ) Phospholipase A2 cleaves off Arachadonic Acid from the PM
- ) COX Cyclooxygenase + O2 convert AA to Prostaglandin (PG)H2 endoperoxide
What is AA Cascade Table?
Image attached
Eicosanoid Biosynthesis: Key Points
• Cells’ capacity for eicosanoid biosynthesis is
latent. PGs or Tx are made, not stored, in cells.
• PG or Tx are made upon ‘demand’ – synthesis
occurs only when stimuli activate phospholipase
A2 to liberate AA from cellular phospholipids.
• PGs or Tx biosynthesis is limited in duration and
scope – by the availability of O2 and AA; by
auto-inactivation of COX enzyme; by rapid and
comprehensive metabolic degradation of PGs,
or spontaneous hydrolysis of Tx and PGI 2.
• Isomerase enzymes dictate which cells make
which PG or Tx. Most cells express COX.
Prostaglandins, thromboxane and
other eicosanoids are autacoid
mediators
• Stimuli activate eicosanoid synthesis.
• Eicosanoids mediate autocrine & paracrine
signaling nearby the cells that make them.
• Unlike hormones, autacoids are short-lived,
locally generated signaling mediators – rapid
metabolism via pulmonary 15-OH PGDH or
degradation limits their accumulation and
circulation via the blood stream
Prostaglandin & Thromboxane
Receptors Are Membrane Spanning
Proteins With 7 Domains
Image Attached
What prostaglandins does 15-OH PG dehydrogenase break down?
PGD2, PGE2, PGF2 (alpha)
What gets inactivated by Hydrolysis?
PGI2 (Prostacyclin) and TxA2 (Thromboxane)