Leukotriene B4 (LTB4)

Leukotriene B4 is a leukotriene involved in inflammation. It is produced from leukocytes in response to inflammatory mediators and is able to induce the adhesion and activation of leukocytes on the endothelium, allowing them to bind to and cross it into the tissue. In neutrophils, it is also a potent chemoattractant, and is able to induce the formation of reactive oxygen species and the release of lysosome enzymes by these cells.

Leukotriene B4 is a potent pro-inflammatory molecule that belongs to a family of eicosanoid lipid mediators. It is synthesized from arachidonic acid that is generated from nuclear membrane phospholipid. In general, and upon cell activation, phospholipase A2 is directed to the nuclear membrane. Here, it generates arachidonic acid that is bound by one 18 kDa membrane-bound protein termed Five-Lipooxygenase Activating Protein (FLAP).