Description
Leukotrienes (LTs) are a group of acute inflammatory mediators derived from arachidonic acid in leukocytes. The majority of these metabolites are formed through the 5-
lipoxygenase (5-
LO) pathway. 14,15-
LTC
4 is a member of an alternate class of LTs synthesized by a pathway involving the dual actions of 15-
and 12-
LOs on arachidonic acid
via 15-
HpETE and 14,15-
LTA
4 intermediates. 14,15-
LTC
4 is classified as an eoxin, because it is formed mostly by eosinophils. However, mast cells and nasal polyps can synthesize 14,15-
LTC
4 as well. Little is known about the physiological actions of 14,15-
LTC
4. It has weak contractile activity on both guinea pig ileum and pulmonary parenchyma in contrast to the effects of 5-
LO-
derived LTs. However, in an
in vitro permeability assay, 14,15-
LTC
4 can increase vascular permeability of human endothelial cell monolayers, with similar potency to that of 5-
LO-
derived LTs resulting in plasma leakage -
a hallmark of inflammation.