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Annexin‐A1: a pivotal regulator of the innate and adaptive immune systems
Author(s) -
D'Acquisto F,
Perretti M,
Flower R J
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1038/bjp.2008.252
Subject(s) - receptor , biology , inflammation , innate immune system , immune system , regulator , acquired immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , annexin a1 , immunology , annexin , gene , genetics , flow cytometry
The glucocorticoids are the most potent anti‐inflammatory drugs that we possess and are effective in a wide variety of diseases. Although their action is known to involve receptor mediated changes in gene transcription, the exact mechanisms whereby these bring about their pleiotropic action in inflammation are yet to be totally understood. Whilst many different genes are regulated by the glucocorticoids, we have identified one particular protein—annexin A1 (Anx‐A1)—whose synthesis and release is strongly regulated by the glucocorticoids in many cell types. The biology of this protein, as revealed by studies using transgenic animals, peptide mimetics and neutralizing antibodies, speaks to its role as a key modulator of both of the innate and adaptive immune systems. The mechanism whereby this protein exerts its effects is likely to be through the FPR receptor family—a hitherto rather enigmatic family of G protein coupled receptors, which are increasingly implicated in the regulation of many inflammatory processes. Here we review some of the key findings that have led up to the elucidation of this key pathway in inflammatory resolution. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 155 , 152–169; doi: 10.1038/bjp.2008.252 ; published online 21 July 2008