title: Lipid droplets in leukocytes: Organelles linked to inflammatory responses.
abstract: Studies on lipid droplets (LDs) in leukocytes have attracted attention due to their association with human diseases. In these cells, LDs are rapidly formed in response to inflammatory stimuli or allergic/inflammatory diseases including infections with parasites and bacteria. Leukocyte LDs are linked to the regulation of immune responses by compartmentalization of several proteins and lipids involved in the control and biosynthesis of inflammatory mediators (eicosanoids). In this mini review, we summarize current knowledge on the composition, structure and function of leukocyte LDs, organelles now considered as structural markers of inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Biology, ICB, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, UFJF, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, Juiz de Fora, MG 36036-900, Brazil; Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, CLS 943, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: rossana.melo@ufjf.edu.br.
authors.forename: Rossana C N
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, CLS 943, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: pweller@bidmc.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Weller
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D066292:Lipid Droplets / Q000378:metabolism*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008055:Lipids
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids
keywords: Cell activation; Eicosanoids; Electron microscopy; Immune responses; Inflammation; Lipid bodies