Current Understanding of Platelet-Activating Factor Signaling in Central Nervous System Diseases.
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a bioactive lipid mediator which serves as a reciprocal messenger between the immune and nervous systems. PAF, a pluripotent inflammatory mediator, is extensively expressed in many cells and tissues and has either beneficial or detrimental effects on the progress of inflammation-related neuropathology. Its wide distribution and various biological functions initiate a cascade of physiological or pathophysiological responses during development or diseases. Current evidence indicates that excess PAF accumulation in CNS diseases exacerbates the inflammatory response and pathological consequences, while application of PAF inhibitors or PAFR antagonists by blocking this signaling pathway significantly reduces inflammation, protects cells, and improves the recovery of neural functions. In this review, we integrate the current findings of PAF signaling in CNS diseases and elucidate topics less appreciated but important on the role of PAF signaling in neurological diseases. We propose that the precise use of PAF inhibitors or PAFR antagonists that target the specific neural cells during the appropriate temporal window may constitute a potential therapy for CNS diseases.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China.|Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 570 S. Preston Street, Donald Baxter Building, Suite 321B, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Yulong
Y
Liu
Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Lisa B E
LBE
Shields
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China.|Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 570 S. Preston Street, Donald Baxter Building, Suite 321B, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Zhongwen
Z
Gao
Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 570 S. Preston Street, Donald Baxter Building, Suite 321B, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.|Department of Spine Surgery, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, People's Republic of China.
Yuanyi
Y
Wang
Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Yi Ping
YP
Zhang
Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 570 S. Preston Street, Donald Baxter Building, Suite 321B, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Tianci
T
Chu
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, People's Republic of China. drzqs@yahoo.com.cn.
Qingsan
Q
Zhu
Norton Neuroscience Institute, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA.
Christopher B
CB
Shields
Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, 570 S. Preston Street, Donald Baxter Building, Suite 321B, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. j0cai002@louisville.edu.
Jun
J
Cai
D000818:Animals; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D010972:Platelet Activating Factor
Central nervous system; Diseases; Platelet-activating factor; Receptor