Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Derived Lipid Mediators That Regulate Epithelial Homeostasis

Abstract

Epithelial tissues are mainly composed of epithelial cells, covering both internal and external surfaces of our body. To maintain epithelial homeostasis, cellular functions, such as proliferation, migration, and differentiation, are flexibly regulated in response to changes in the cellular status, thereby contributing to barrier formation, immune reaction, and wound closure. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are precursors of various lipid mediators that maintain tissue homeostasis by exerting characteristic bioactivities. This review aimed to summarize the role of PUFA-derived lipid mediators in epithelial cell functions, mainly focusing on the epidermis, cornea, and intestinal epithelium.