Lysophosphatidylcholine as a ligand for immunoregulation.
Despite the recognized effects of lysophosphatidylcholine upon cells of the immune system and its association with inflammatory processes, its mechanism of action has remained poorly characterized. Our recent identification of the first lysophosphatidylcholine receptor as an immunoregulatory G protein-coupled receptor named G2A whose genetic ablation results in the development of inflammatory autoimmune disease has, therefore, provided a new perspective on the role of this lysophospholipid as a modulator of immune responses. This commentary discusses the biological properties of lysophosphatidylcholine as an immunoregulatory ligand for cells of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Although we focus primarily on ligand interactions with G2A, we also discuss the issue of possible functional redundancy with other receptors with recently established ligand specificities towards phosphorylcholine-containing lysolipids including lysophosphatidylcholine.
Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of California-Los Angeles, 5-748 MRL, 675 Charles E. Young Drive South, Box 951662, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1662, USA. januszk@microbio.ucla.edu
Janusz H S
JH
Kabarowski
Yan
Y
Xu
Owen N
ON
Witte
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects; D008024:Ligands; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; C115270:G2A receptor; D008024:Ligands; D008244:Lysophosphatidylcholines; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled