Novel functional sets of lipid-derived mediators with antiinflammatory actions generated from omega-3 fatty acids via cyclooxygenase 2-nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and transcellular processing

J Exp Med. 2000 Oct 16;192(8):1197-204. doi: 10.1084/jem.192.8.1197.

Abstract

Aspirin therapy inhibits prostaglandin biosynthesis without directly acting on lipoxygenases, yet via acetylation of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) it leads to bioactive lipoxins (LXs) epimeric at carbon 15 (15-epi-LX, also termed aspirin-triggered LX [ATL]). Here, we report that inflammatory exudates from mice treated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and aspirin (ASA) generate a novel array of bioactive lipid signals. Human endothelial cells with upregulated COX-2 treated with ASA converted C20:5 omega-3 to 18R-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (HEPE) and 15R-HEPE. Each was used by polymorphonuclear leukocytes to generate separate classes of novel trihydroxy-containing mediators, including 5-series 15R-LX(5) and 5,12,18R-triHEPE. These new compounds proved to be potent inhibitors of human polymorphonuclear leukocyte transendothelial migration and infiltration in vivo (ATL analogue > 5,12,18R-triHEPE > 18R-HEPE). Acetaminophen and indomethacin also permitted 18R-HEPE and 15R-HEPE generation with recombinant COX-2 as well as omega-5 and omega-9 oxygenations of other fatty acids that act on hematologic cells. These findings establish new transcellular routes for producing arrays of bioactive lipid mediators via COX-2-nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-dependent oxygenations and cell-cell interactions that impact microinflammation. The generation of these and related compounds provides a novel mechanism(s) for the therapeutic benefits of omega-3 dietary supplementation, which may be important in inflammation, neoplasia, and vascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Aspirin / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / metabolism
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology
  • Inflammation / physiopathology*
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Microcirculation
  • Microsomes / enzymology
  • Neutrophils / physiology*
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / physiology
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Umbilical Veins

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Isoenzymes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Leukotriene B4
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Acetaminophen
  • 15-hydroxy-5,8,11,13,17-eicosapentaenoic acid
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
  • Aspirin
  • Indomethacin