9321940 Tigyi This project continues to research a novel and yet not fully identified class of lipid mediators with growth factor-like properties generated during blood clotting. These phospholipid mediators display functions similar to those of the more delicate and complicated growth factor proteins. The simple structure of the phospholipid mediators permits their easy chemical synthesis on an industrial scale, at a cost hundreds of times less than that of protein growth factors. These naturally occurring molecules are generated in response to injury, not only in the blood, but also in the nervous system; and experiments indicate that they are likely to play a physiological role in the initiation of regeneration and wound healing. The current project sets two goals: 1) determine the structure of the phospholipid mediators generated during blood clotting, and 2) establish the main biochemical pathways leading to the production of growth factor-like lipid mediators in activated cells. It is anticipated that learning more about these factors can ultimately lead to the design and synthesis of new drugs to prevent secondary neuronal death and the ensuing paralysis. ***
