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Resolving inflammation

Nature Reviews Immunology volume 21, pages 620–621 (2021)Cite this article

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Pathogen-induced inflammation manifests as an outward fanfare of heat, redness, swelling and pain. It is an active process — and so is the manner by which it switches off. The process of resolution involves the active clearance of the pathogenic stimulus, the catabolism of pro-inflammatory mediators and the induction of immune cell death and non-phlogistic removal of immune cells. Moreover, resolution of immune responses to infection is followed by prolonged phases of immune activity, which strengthen barrier functions by engaging with adaptive immunity.

A number of studies contributed to the understanding of resolution as an active process. These included the identification of specialized lipids that promote resolution (Chiang et al., 2020), insights into the mechanisms by which cyclopentenone prostaglandins and other molecules trigger resolution (Gilroy et al., 1999), and the definition of the key receptors and pathways of efferocytosis (Boada-Romero et al., 2020).

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References

Original articles

  • Gilroy, D. W. et al. Inducible cyclooxygenase may have anti-inflammatory properties. Nat. Med. 5, 698–701 (1999)

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Related articles

  • Chiang, N. & Serhan, C. N. Specialized pro-resolving mediator network: an update on production and actions. Essays Biochem. 64, 443–462 (2020)

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  • Boada-Romero, E. et al. The clearance of dead cells by efferocytosis. Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. 21, 398–414 (2020)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK

    Derek W. Gilroy

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  1. Derek W. Gilroy
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Correspondence to Derek W. Gilroy.

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Gilroy, D.W. Resolving inflammation. Nat Rev Immunol 21, 620–621 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-021-00597-w

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