PUFA Lipid Mediators in Inflammation and Associated Chronic Ocular and Neurological Diseases

Even though the brain has been well-thought as an immunoprivileged organ, uncontrolled inflammation and abortive resolution of inflammation are common in neurodegenerative disorders. Inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), named neuroinflammation, can arise. Indeed, the blood leukocytes can intrude the brain parenchyma and activate the resident immune cells, mainly the microglia and perivascular macrophages ultimately causing neurological functions’ detriments and consequential neurodegeneration.

In the past decades, the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and derivatives in the regulation of inflammation in ocular as well as CNS, has attracted researchers for further investigation. Certainly, several PUFA-derived mediators are implicated in the inflammatory response, whether through the endogenous regulation or in the resolution of inflammation. Although it is recognized that the regulation of inflammation is governed by prostaglandins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes and the resolution is provided by resolvins, protectins and maresins, both mechanism of action are still unclear and requires further examination.

Several ocular and neurological diseases are associated with excessive inflammation. Therapeutic applications targeting lipids systems are presently considered in many eyes and neurological disorders and research is still at the pre-clinical phase whereas much work is needed until the full therapeutic potential of lipid mediators is reached. Moreover, more attention should be directed toward PUFAs based lipids promoting eyes and cerebral inflammation resolution instead of inhibiting inflammation. Nevertheless, the mechanism of storm of neuroinflammation remains elusive, and so does the role of PUFAs mediators and mechanisms associated with chronic inflammation in the brain.

Hence, the goal of the actual research topic is to provide a deeper understanding and recent advances to the scientific community related to PUFA lipid mediators, mainly those of Docosahexaenoic Acid DHA (C22:6n-3), Eicosapentaenoic Acid EPA (C20:5n-3) and Arachidonic Acid AA (C20:4n-6) in inflammation and associated chronic ocular and neurological diseases especially that novel lipid mediators are still evolving.

The topic might encourage the development of innovative therapeutic approaches that will target uncontrolled ocular inflammatory diseases and neuroinflammation in chronic diseases.

We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:

• Role of PUFAs in the management of inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases

• Elucidation of the Mechanism of DHA and EPA in ocular inflammatory diseases

• Novel cerebral lipid mediators associated with the immune modulation and the active regulation or resolution of inflammation

• Signalling network of bioactive lipids mediators in the aftermath of the immune response in brain

• From PUFAs Lipidomics to immunological analysis in neuroinflammation

• Unrevealing the enigma of ocular and neuroinflammation

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: neurological disorders, ocular inflammatory disease, neuroinflammation, PUFA mediators, anti-inflammatory effects, regulation of inflammation, resolution of inflammation, bioactive lipids mediators

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