Gain of function mechanisms triggering biological effects of oxidized phospholipids

Oxidized phospholipids (OxPLs) are known to induce in cultured cells multiple biological effects that are potentially relevant to pathology. However, until recently it was not clear if accumulation of OxPLs plays a causative role in disease or is an epiphenomenon. Recent progress in identification of molecular targets of OxPLs led to development of new in vivo models that clearly demonstrated the importance of these lipid mediators in pathology. This review discusses currently known receptor and non–receptor-dependent mechanisms triggering biological action of OxPLs. Rapidly accumulating evidence suggests that some of these mechanisms represent promising targets for therapy.