Toll-like receptor signaling induces a temporal switch towards a resolving lipid profile in monocyte-derived macrophages

Inflammation is a tightly regulated process. During the past decade it has become clear that the resolution of inflammation is an active process and its dysregulation can contribute to chronic inflammation. Several cells and soluble mediators, including lipid mediators, regulate the course of inflammation and its resolution. It is, however, unclear which signals and cells are involved in initiating the resolution process. Macrophages are tissue resident cells and key players in regulating tissue inflammation through secretion of soluble mediators, including lipids. We hypothesize that persistent inflammatory stimuli can initiate resolution pathways in macrophages. In this study, we detected 21 lipids in LPS-stimulated human monocyte-derived macrophages by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Cyclooxygenase-derived Prostaglandins were observed in the first six hours of stimulation. Interestingly, a switch towards 15-lipoxygenase products, such as the pro-resolving lipid precursors 15-HEPE and 17-HDHA was observed after 24 h. The RNA and protein expression of cyclooxygenase and 15-lipoxygenase were in line with this trend. Treatment with 17-HDHA increased IL-10 production of monocyte-derived macrophages and decreased LTB4 production by neutrophils, indicating the anti-inflammatory property of this lipid. These data reveal that monocyte-derived macrophages contribute to the resolution of inflammation in time by the production of pro-resolving lipids after an initial inflammatory stimulus. •In this study, we detected 21 lipids in LPS-stimulated human monocyte-derived macrophages by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry.•LPS stimulated macrophages can initiate a lipid class switch from pro- to anti-inflammatory lipid mediators in a single cell system through temporal regulation of lipid modifying enzymes.•Specialized pro-resolving mediator precursor 17-HDHA, one of the lipid mediator that is produced during persistent LPS stimulation, has anti-inflammatory properties in both macrophages and neutrophils.•Monocyte-derived macrophages contribute to the resolution of inflammation in time by the production of pro-resolving lipids after an initial inflammatory stimulus.