lysophosphatidylcholine

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) is a glycerophospholipid that consists of a glycerol backbone bearing a phosphocholine headgroup and a single fatty acyl chain. It is typically formed by enzymatic removal of one fatty acid from phosphatidylcholine (PC), most often through the action of phospholipase A2. The resulting molecule is amphipathic and varies in its acyl chain length and saturation, with common species including LPC 16:0 and LPC 18:1.

LPC is generated in biological membranes by hydrolysis of PC and is also produced during lipoprotein remodeling and inflammatory processes. In plasma and tissues, LPC can arise from phospholipase activity, as well as enzymatic pathways that modify lipids during phospholipid turnover. LPC can be metabolized further by reacylation or deacylation enzymes.

As a signaling lipid, LPC influences several physiological processes. It can act as a chemoattractant for immune cells, modulate endothelial function, and affect membrane properties. Its biological effects are context dependent and can vary with acyl chain composition, concentration, and receptor interactions, making LPC a multifaceted mediator in inflammation and vascular biology.

Altered LPC levels have been observed in various diseases, including atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and neuroinflammation. Because LPC reflects phospholipid remodeling and inflammatory states, it is studied as a potential biomarker and mediator in biomedical research.

Lipidomics approaches, particularly mass spectrometry, are used to quantify LPC species in biological samples. LPC analysis requires careful sample handling due to lipid rearrangements and is often reported as species-specific data.