Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a signaling lipid that binds to six known lysophosphatidic acid receptors (LPARs), named LPA1-LPA6. These receptors initiate signaling cascades relevant to development, maintenance, and healing processes throughout the body. The diversity and specificity of LPA signaling, especially in relation to cancer and autoimmune disorders, makes LPA receptor modulation an attractive target for drug development. Several LPAR-specific analogues and small molecules have been synthesized and are efficacious in attenuating pathology in disease models. To date, at least three compounds have passed phase I and phase II clinical trials for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis. This review focuses on the promising therapeutic directions emerging in LPA signaling toward ameliorating several diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, arthritis, hydrocephalus, and traumatic injury.
Arthritis ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Fibrosis ; Hydrocephalus ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Pathology ; Pharmacology ; Receptors, Lysophosphatidic Acid ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; Sensitivity and Specificity

There have been recent descriptions of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting as ‘varicella-like exanthem’. We report three cases of patients with VaricellaZoster Virus (VZV) and COVID-19 co-infections, presenting in three varied ways. These cases highlight the need for heightened alertness to how such co-infections can present, to pick up overlapping ‘dual pathologies’ during this current pandemic given that infection control measures including airborne precautions are crucial for both COVID-19 and VZV.

There have been recent descriptions of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presenting as ‘varicella-like exanthem’. We report three cases of patients with VaricellaZoster Virus (VZV) and COVID-19 co-infections, presenting in three varied ways. These cases highlight the need for heightened alertness to how such co-infections can present, to pick up overlapping ‘dual pathologies’ during this current pandemic given that infection control measures including airborne precautions are crucial for both COVID-19 and VZV.