Resolution and pro-resolving lipid mediators in Leishmania infection

The acute inflammatory response is the body’s natural reaction to inciting stimuli including trauma and pathogens. Well-known pro-inflammatory metabolites take control of this reaction to recruit the leukocytes into the inflamed tissue. These cells professionally ingest and kill the invading pathogens and clear the debris of dead or injured cells. This further signals the tissue regeneration and gain of function, another active process mediated by newly uncovered metabolites. These newly identified metabolites are anti-inflammatory in nature and downregulate the active inflammation. These molecules and their cognate receptors are novel targets for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Although not very well understood, these mediators are suspected to support intracellular parasite survival (as Leishmania parasite) and are worth further investigation for innovative therapeutic interventions.