LAUSR

It is well recognized that modified lipids can have a role in immunity. Oxidized phospholipids are important intermediaries of cellular and inflammatory events although this is a field far from being completely elucidated. The aminophospholipids (APL), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS), are components of cell membranes and biofluids, playing diverse roles in cell signaling events. Research work developed in our laboratory pinpointed fragmentation pathways specific of new oxidized APL, due to modifications in both polyunsaturated fatty acyl chains and free amino group in polar head. These oxidation products were detected in cells and organelles upon oxidative conditions. Depending on the APL precursor and on the type of modification, modified APL can display either pro- or anti-inflammatory effects. Oxidized, glcated and glycoxidized PE can stimulated monocytes a dendritic cells, mediating pro-inflammatory events, which could have a role in the lower grade inflammatory in diabetes. On the other hand oxidized PS can display anti-inflammatory events, modulating inflammatory signaling in macrophages.More effort is needed to unveil the role of APL modifications in inflammatory-associated conditions such as cardiovascular, depression and neurodegenerative diseases.