Secretory Phospholipase A2: A Putative Mediator of Airway Inflammation

From Molecular Science to the Treatment of Allergy Phospholipases are enzymes responsible for the remodeling of cellular phospholipids and for the generation of intracellular messengers and of arachidonic acid, the percursor of eicosanoids [1]. Different groups of phospholipases A 2 (PLA 2 ) have been identified in mammalian cells according to their molecular weight, subcellular location and calcium requirements [1]. Increasing attention has been given to the group 2 secretory PLA 2 (sPLA 2 ), since this enzyme appears to be associated with inflammatory reactions [2]. sPLA 2 was initially identified in the synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis [3].