Immunoregulation by leukotrienes and other lipoxygenase metabolites.

The leukotrienes are a group of biologically active molecules derived from the oxidative metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. They are readily synthesized by leukocytes and probably by other cell types following immune or nonimmune stimulation. In addition to their initially described myotropic activities, they very strongly affect several leukocyte functions. Here Marek Rola-Pleszczynski suggests that leukotrienes may play an important role in immunoregulation during inflammatory processes.