Specialized pro-resolving mediator pathway (SPM pathway)

The **specialized pro-resolving mediator pathway** refers to a network of biochemical processes that generate specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), a class of lipid-derived signaling molecules formed from polyunsaturated fatty acids by enzymes such as lipoxygenases and cyclooxygenases. These mediators—including resolvins, protectins, maresins, and lipoxins—actively orchestrate the resolution phase of inflammation by modulating immune cell behavior and promoting tissue repair without suppressing host defense. SPMs act through specific G protein-coupled receptors such as ALX/FPR2 (for lipoxin A4 and resolvin D1), ChemR23 (for resolvin E1), GPR32 (for several D-series resolvins), GPR18 (for resolvin D2), and LGR6 (for maresin 1). The therapeutic potential for targeting this pathway is under investigation in diseases characterized by chronic or unresolved inflammation—including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, metabolic syndrome, asthma, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis—and synthetic analogues or receptor agonists are being explored for clinical use[1][2][3][5]. However, the "specialized pro-resolving mediator pathway" itself is not a single molecular target but rather describes an entire family of bioactive molecules and their associated biosynthetic routes; thus it should not be classified as an individual drug target like a receptor or enzyme. **Note:** This entry is marked *is_incorrect = true* because "Specialized pro-resolving mediator pathway" refers to a biological process/pathway rather than an individual molecular target suitable for direct pharmacological intervention. The actual drug targets within this system are the specific GPCRs that bind individual SPMs[2][3].

Other names

Specialized pro-resolving mediatorsSPMsspecialized proresolving mediatorsSPM pathway

Agonism of G protein-coupled receptors (e.g., ALX/FPR2, ChemR23) to promote resolution of inflammation[2][3]