Pla2g1b, or group 1B phospholipase A2, is a secreted enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic removal of the sn-2 fatty acyl moiety from phospholipids. It is most abundantly synthesized in the pancreas and also expressed in the lung. It plays key roles in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and is associated with pathways like α-linolenic acid metabolism [1,3]. Genetic models can be valuable for studying its functions in vivo.

In HIV-infected patients, Pla2g1b in the plasma, in synergy with HIV gp41, forms large abnormal membrane microdomains in CD4+ T cells, leading to anergy and potentially contributing to CD4 lymphopenia. This effect can be blocked by a specific neutralizing mAb [2]. In helminth infections, epithelial-cell-derived Pla2g1b in resistant mice is an endogenous anthelmintic, responsible for killing tissue-embedded larvae. Pla2g1b-/-mice fail to expel intestinal helminths despite having comparable type-2-dependent immune mechanisms, highlighting its importance in anti-helminth immunity [4].

In conclusion, Pla2g1b is essential in lipid metabolism, inflammation, and host defense against helminths. Its role in HIV-related immunodeficiency and anti-helminth immunity, as revealed by model-based research, provides insights into these disease areas. Understanding Pla2g1b may offer new perspectives for developing treatments related to these conditions [1,2,3,4].

References:

1. Guan, Shuhong, Xu, Zhanzhan, Yang, Tingting, Liu, Huimin, Zhou, Jun. 2024. Identifying potential targets for preventing cancer progression through the PLA2G1B recombinant protein using bioinformatics and machine learning methods. In International journal of biological macromolecules, 276, 133918. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133918. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39019365/

2. Pothlichet, Julien, Rose, Thierry, Bugault, Florence, Lambeau, Gérard, Thèze, Jacques. . PLA2G1B is involved in CD4 anergy and CD4 lymphopenia in HIV-infected patients. In The Journal of clinical investigation, 130, 2872-2887. doi:10.1172/JCI131842. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32436864/

3. Hui, David Y. 2018. Group 1B phospholipase A2 in metabolic and inflammatory disease modulation. In Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids, 1864, 784-788. doi:10.1016/j.bbalip.2018.07.001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30003964/

4. Entwistle, Lewis J, Pelly, Victoria S, Coomes, Stephanie M, Hui, David Y, Wilson, Mark S. . Epithelial-Cell-Derived Phospholipase A2 Group 1B Is an Endogenous Anthelmintic. In Cell host & microbe, 22, 484-493.e5. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2017.09.006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29024642/