Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To review the basic science and translational relevance of lipid mediators in the pathobiology of allergic diseases. DATA SOURCES: PubMed was searched for articles using the key terms lipid mediator, prostaglandin, prostanoid, leukotriene, thromboxane, asthma, and allergic inflammation. STUDY SELECTIONS: Articles were selected based on their relevance to the goals of this review. Articles with a particular focus on clinical and translational aspects of basic science discoveries were emphasized. RESULTS: Lipid mediators are bioactive molecules generated from cell membrane phospholipids. They play important roles in many disease states, particularly in inflammatory and immune responses. Lipid mediators and their receptors are potentially useful as diagnostic markers of disease and therapeutic targets. CONCLUSIONS: Several useful therapeutic agents have been developed based on a growing understanding of the lipid mediator pathways in allergic disease, notably the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor type 1 antagonists and the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, zileuton. Additional receptor agonists and antagonists relevant to these pathways are in development, and it is likely that future pharmacologic treatments for allergic disease will become available as our understanding of these molecules continues to evolve.