Elovanoids are a novel class of homeostatic lipid mediators that protect neural cell integrity upon injury

Sci Adv. 2017 Sep 27;3(9):e1700735. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.1700735. eCollection 2017 Sep.

Abstract

We report the characterization of a novel class of lipid mediators termed elovanoids (ELVs) (ELV-N32 and ELV-N34), which are dihydroxylated derivatives of 32:6n3 and 34:6n3, respectively. The precursors of ELVs are made by elongation of a 22:6n3 fatty acid and catalyzed by ELOVL4 (elongation of very-long-chain fatty acids-4). The structure and stereochemistry of ELVs were established using synthetic compounds produced by stereocontrolled total synthesis. We report that ELV-mediated protection is induced in neuronal cultures undergoing either oxygen/glucose deprivation or N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity, as well as in experimental ischemic stroke. The methyl ester or sodium salt of ELV-N32 and ELV-N34 resulted in reduced infarct volumes, promoted cell survival, and diminished neurovascular unit disruption when administered 1 hour following 2 hours of ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Together, our data reveal a novel prohomeostatic and neuroprotective lipid-signaling mechanism aiming to sustain neural cell integrity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / drug effects
  • Astrocytes / metabolism
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Homeostasis / drug effects*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / chemistry
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pyramidal Cells / drug effects
  • Pyramidal Cells / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Stroke / drug therapy
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / metabolism
  • Stroke / physiopathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate