PAF C-18:1 is a naturally occurring phospholipid produced by cells upon stimulation and plays a role in the establishment and maintenance of the inflammatory response. It is less potent than PAF C-16 and PAF C-18 in the induction of neutrophil chemotaxis, but is equipotent to PAF C-16 and PAF C-18 in promoting eosinophil migration. PAF C-18:1 activates the PAF receptor and has been used in antibody binding experiments to determine the importance of an acyl linkage at the sn-2 position for recognition at this receptor.
MK-287 (L-680573) is a platelet activator (PAF) antagonist that effectively inhibates the binding of [3H]C18-PAF to human platelets, polynucleated white blood cells (PMN), and pulmonary membranes. May be used to treat asthma,