Vasoactive properties of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) have been demonstrated by many investigators to vary in systemic vascular beds. These variations appear to reflect differential S1P receptor expression in the vasculature of these tissues. Although S1P has been demonstrated to enhance endothelial barrier function, induce airway hyperresponsiveness, and modulate immune responses in the lung, the pulmonary vasomotor effects of S1P remain poorly defined. In the present study, we sought to define the vasoregulatory effects of S1P in the pulmonary vasculature and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms operative in effecting the response in the intact lung. S1P (10 microM) increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) by 36% in the isolated perfused mouse lung. S1P-induced vasoconstriction was reduced by 64% by concomitant administration of the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632 (10 microM). Similarly, the S1P response was attenuated by >50% after S1P(2) receptor antagonism (JTE-013; 10 microM) and in S1P(2) receptor null mice. In contrast, S1P(3) receptor antagonism (VPC23019; 10 microM) had no effect on the contractile response to S1P. Furthermore, we confirmed the role of Rho-kinase as an important regulator of basal vasomotor tone in the isolated perfused mouse lung. These results suggest that S1P is capable of altering pulmonary vascular tone in vivo and may play an important role in the modulation of pulmonary vascular tone both in the normal lung and under pathological conditions.