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Annexin A1 and glucocorticoids as effectors of the resolution of inflammation

Nature Reviews Immunology volume 9, pages 62–70 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Glucocorticoids are widely used for the management of inflammatory diseases. Their clinical application stems from our understanding of the inhibitory effect of the corticosteroid hormone cortisol on several components of the immune system. Endogenous and exogenous glucocorticoids mediate their multiple anti-inflammatory effects through many effector molecules. In this Opinion article, we focus on the role of one such effector molecule, annexin A1, and summarize the recent studies that provide insight into its molecular and pharmacological functions in immune responses. In addition, we propose a model in which glucocorticoids regulate the expression and function of annexin A1 in opposing ways in innate and adaptive immune cells to mediate the resolution of inflammation.

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Figure 1: Mobilization of annexin A1 in activated cells and its potential mode of action.
Figure 2: Leukocyte trafficking and fate in inflammation: annexin A1–ALXR checkpoints.
Figure 3: The annexin A1–ALXR pathway and strength of T-cell receptor signalling.
Figure 4: Model of glucocorticoid modulation of the annexin A1 pathway in immune regulation.

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Acknowledgements

Work in our laboratory is funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign UK, the Wellcome Trust, the British Heart Foundation and the Medical Research Council UK. We apologize to the many colleagues whose work could not be cited here owing to space limitations.

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  1. Mauro Perretti and Fulvio D'Acquisto are at the William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.,

    Mauro Perretti & Fulvio D'Acquisto

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Correspondence to Mauro Perretti.

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M.P. declares licensing of a patent on ANXA1-derived anti-inflammatory peptides to Unigene Corp (Fairfield, New Jersey).

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Perretti, M., D'Acquisto, F. Annexin A1 and glucocorticoids as effectors of the resolution of inflammation. Nat Rev Immunol 9, 62–70 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nri2470

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