About this Research Topic
This Research Topic is devoted to the molecular neuroscience of bioactive lipids. Although there is a growing list of bioactive lipids, we aim to focus on three types of lipid mediators that regulate nervous system development and functions, mainly acting through G protein-coupled receptors (although not exclusively): lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), acylethanolamides and endocannabinoids. Multiple cellular responses have been reported for these bioactive endogenous lipids in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as in neural cell lines, including cell proliferation, differentiation, cell migration, morphogenesis, survival and oncogenesis. Many of these activities have been linked to human diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, fibrotic diseases, neurophathic pain, cardiovascular disorders, obesity, diabetes, arthritis rheumatoid and cancer. Therefore, there is also a great interest of research groups and pharmaceutical companies for the development of new inhibitors or antagonists targeting their receptors as therapeutic solutions.
The scope of this Research Topic is centered on updated accounts dealing with the roles of these lipids in the CNS. Nevertheless, as recent research is revealing the existence of new receptors in key peripheral tissues and with sound physiological responses, a few chapters will be also devoted to their peripheral activities, with strong emphasis in pancreas and gut and their links to the brain. Specific topics that we’d like to address cover the lipid receptors, metabolism and tissue distribution, vascular regulation, glutamatergic transmission, neuronal and stem cells differentiation, cancer, addiction, affective disorders, neurodegeneration, aging, obesity and diabetes.
The scope of this Research Topic is centered on updated accounts dealing with the roles of these lipids in the CNS. Nevertheless, as recent research is revealing the existence of new receptors in key peripheral tissues and with sound physiological responses, a few chapters will be also devoted to their peripheral activities, with strong emphasis in pancreas and gut and their links to the brain. Specific topics that we’d like to address cover the lipid receptors, metabolism and tissue distribution, vascular regulation, glutamatergic transmission, neuronal and stem cells differentiation, cancer, addiction, affective disorders, neurodegeneration, aging, obesity and diabetes.
Keywords: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), acylethanolamides, endocannabinoids, G protein-coupled receptors, signaling mechanisms.
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