Abstract
Cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA), one of the natural simplest phospholipids, is found in organisms from slime molds to humans. cPA and its derivative 2-carba-cPA (2ccPA) exhibit various biological functions such as suppression of cancer cell invasion/metastasis and attenuation of ischemia-induced neuronal cell death. We showed that cPA/2ccPA inhibited chronic and acute inflammations, attenuated neuropathic pain, and increased hyaluronic acid synthesis. In this review, we focused on newly identified effects of cPA/2ccPA on osteoarthritis (OA) and multiple sclerosis (MS). OA is a degenerative disease frequently associated with symptoms such as inflammation and joint pain. We examined the effects of 2ccPA on OA in vivo and in vitro. Using rabbit meniscectomy model of OA, we revealed that intra-articular injection of 2ccPA significantly reduced pain and articular swelling. Using human OA synoviocytes and chondrosarcoma SW1353 cells, we found that 2ccPA increased hyaluronic acid synthesis and suppressed MMP-1, -3, and -13 productions in synoviocytes and chondrocytes.
