Abstract
The production of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) during the resolution phase in the inflammatory milieu is key to orchestrating the resolution of the acute inflammatory response. 17-epi-neuroprotectin D1/17-epi-protectin D1 (17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1: 10R,17R-dihydroxy-4Z,7Z,11E,13E,15Z,19Z-docosahexaenoic acid) is an SPM of the protectin family, biosynthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), that exhibits both potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective functions. Here, we carried out a new commercial-scale synthesis of 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 that enabled the authentication and confirmation of its potent bioactions in vivo and determination of its ability to activate human leukocyte phagocytosis. We provide evidence that this new synthetic 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 statistically significantly increases human macrophage uptake of E. coli in vitro and confirm that it limits neutrophilic infiltration in vivo in a murine model of peritonitis. The physical properties of the new synthetic 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1, namely its ultra-violet absorbance, chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry fragmentation pattern, matched those of the originally synthesized 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1. In addition, we verified the structure and complete stereochemical assignment of this new synthetic 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Together, these results authenticate this 17-epi-NPD1/17-epi-PD1 for its structure and potent pro-resolving functions.