'Lox on neovascularization': leukotrienes as mediators in endothelial biology

Chemokines as mediators of neovascularization.

Chemokines are a superfamily of homologous heparin-binding proteins, first described for their role in recruiting leukocytes to sites of inflammation. Chemokines have since been recognized as key factors mediating both physiological and pathological neovascularization in such diverse clinical settings as malignancy, wound repair, chronic fibroproliferative disorders, myocardial ischemia, and at...

Of Innate Immune Responses Leukotrienes: Underappreciated Mediators

Prostaglandins and leukotrienes: advances in eicosanoid biology.

Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are potent eicosanoid lipid mediators derived from phospholipase-released arachidonic acid that are involved in numerous homeostatic biological functions and inflammation. They are generated by cyclooxygenase isozymes and 5-lipoxygenase, respectively, and their biosynthesis and actions are blocked by clinically relevant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the n...

Cysteinyl leukotrienes: multi-functional mediators in allergic rhinitis

Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are a family of inflammatory lipid mediators synthesized from arachidonic acid by a variety of cells, including mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, and macrophages. This article reviews the data for the role of CysLTs as multi-functional mediators in allergic rhinitis (AR). We review the evidence that: (1) CysLTs are released from inflammatory cells that particip...

5-lipoxygenase-derived leukotrienes: mediators also of atherosclerotic inflammation.

Atherogenesis is now viewed as the outcome of hypercholesterolemia in combination with inflammation of the vessel wall; an intertwined sequence of events leads to fatty streaks, which may develop to atherosclerosis.1 Several recent studies have implicated lipoxygenases in this process. Mammalian lipoxygenases have two principal functions.2 One is to modify membranes by peroxidation reactions; 1...