What is the Origin of Inflammation Resolution Pathways?

Traditional immunology viewed inflammation as a passive process that simply subsided once the inciting stimulus was removed, but Nobel-laureate research in the 1990s established that resolution is an active, tightly regulated biological program. The term reflects this scientific shift toward understanding the specific molecular "off-switches" for inflammation, integrating the fields of lipid biochemistry and immunology.

What is the Mechanism of Inflammation Resolution Pathways?

The mechanism centers on the enzymatic conversion of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, into potent SPMs which act on specific cellular receptors to reprogram immune cells. These mediators halt the recruitment of new inflammatory cells, promote the non-phlogistic clearance of cellular debris by macrophages, and initiate tissue remodeling. By actively resolving inflammation, these pathways prevent the transition from acute injury to chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation, which underlies many age-related diseases.

Inflammation Resolution Pathways

Meaning

Inflammation Resolution Pathways are the complex, endogenous biochemical processes that actively terminate the inflammatory response and facilitate tissue repair, moving beyond passive cessation of inflammation. These pathways involve the synthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), such as resolvins and protectins, derived from omega-3 fatty acids. Supporting these pathways is critical for chronic disease prevention and achieving true tissue healing, a cornerstone of longevity medicine.