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. 2016 Apr 27;38(4):425–448. doi: 10.1007/s00281-016-0560-6

Table 2.

Specialised bioactive lipids which promote the resolution of inflammation

Bioactive lipid Main source Major anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution bioactivities
Lipoxins ADA
Lipoxin A4 Neutrophils reduce chemotaxis/recruitment/transendothelial/epithelial migration, epithelial cell interactions, number of apoptotic neutrophils, O2 generation and degranulation
Monocytes stimulate chemotaxis/adhesion and reduce peroxynitrite generation
Macrophages enhanced efferocytosis of neutrophils
Eosinophils reduce migration/chemotaxis and generation of IL-5 and eotaxin
NK cells reduce cytotoxicity and increase granulocyte apoptosis
Dendritic cells reduce generation of IL-12
Epithelial cells reduce the release of IL-6 and IL-8
Endothelial cells reduce ROS generation and VEGF-induced migration
Other decreases vascular leakage and adherent capabilities of leukocytes
Lipoxin B4 Leukocytes modulate the adherence and motility of neutrophils/monocytes and inhibit neutrophil infiltration and stimulate macrophage recruitment
D-resolvins DHA
Resolvin D1 Neutrophils reduce recruitment and transmigration
Macrophages stimulate/augment phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and allergens, induce M2 macrophage phenotype and reduce LPS-induced TNF release
Other reduces resolution interval, oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines in BAL fluid and levels of prostaglandins/leukotrienes and augment microbial clearance
Resolvin D2 Leukocytes reduce neutrophil infiltration and leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions
Resolvin D3 Leukocytes reduce neutrophil transmigration and augment macrophage phagocytosis/efferocytosis
Resolvin D4 Leukocytes reduce neutrophil infiltration and augment macrophage efferocytosis of neutrophils and phagocytic clearance of Staphylococcus aureus
Other augments fibroblast efferocytosis of neutrophils
E-resolvins EPA
Resolvin E1 Neutrophils reduce O2 generation and transendothelial/epithelial migration
Monocytes decrease cell number
Macrophages augment efferocytosis of neutrophils
Eosinophils/lymphocytes reduce recruitment
Dendritic cells reduce migration and IL-12 generation
Other modulates the production of chemokines/cytokines and stimulates anti-apoptotic signals and reparative processes in inflamed tissues
Resolvin E2 Leukocytes modulate neutrophil chemotaxis, augment phagocytosis and generation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, efficiently downregulate the surface expression of integrins and reduce responses to PAF
Resolvin E3 Neutrophils reduce infiltration
Protectins DHA
Protectin D1 Neutrophils reduce infiltration, transmigration and TNF/IFNγ generation
Macrophages modulate function and stimulate efferocytosis of PMN leukocytes
Other modulates chemokine/cytokine production and migration of T cells and reduces eosinophil chemotaxis/adhesion
Maresins DHA
Maresin 1 Neutrophils reduce numbers in peritonitis exudates
Macrophages augment phagocytic capabilities
Other reduces PMN leukocyte transendothelial cell migration and dust-induced cytokine production in bronchial epithelial cells and aids tissue regeneration

Source: [193, 194]

ADA arachidonic acid, O2 superoxide anion radical, VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor, EPA eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA docosahexaenoic acid, BAL bronchial alveolar lavage, PAF platelet-activating factor, PMN polymorphonucleated