Phospholipids: "greasing the wheels" of humoral immunity.
Phospholipids are major structural components of all cellular membranes. In addition, certain phospholipids execute regulatory activities that affect cell behavior, function and fate in critically important physiological settings. The influence of phospholipids is especially obvious in the adaptive immune system, where these macromolecules mediate both intrinsic and extrinsic effects on B and T lymphocytes. This review article highlights the action of lysophospholipid sphingosine-1-phosphate as a lymphocyte chemoattractant, the function of phosphatidylinositol phosphates as signaling conduits in lymphocytes and the role of phospholipids as raw materials for membrane assembly and organelle biogenesis in activated B lymphocytes. Special emphasis is placed on the means by which these three processes push humoral immune responses forward. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Phospholipids and Phospholipid Metabolism.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, 5851 USA Drive North Mobile, AL 36688, USA. jbrewer@southalabama.edu
Joseph W
JW
Brewer
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002633:Chemotaxis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D008246:Lysophospholipids; C060506:sphingosine 1-phosphate; D013110:Sphingosine; C032881:lysophosphatidic acid