Bioactive oxidatively truncated phospholipids in inflammation and apoptosis: Formation, targets, and inactivation

► Phospholipid hydroperoxides fragment to truncated phospholipids. ► Truncated phospholipids activate the external PAF receptor, and after internalization activate PPARγ or depolarize mitochondria to initiate apoptosis. ► Cytokine signaling creates internal truncated phospholipids that are required mediators of cytokine-induced apoptosis. ► PAF acetylhydrolases specifically hydrolyze truncated phospholipids, protecting cells from oxidative death.