Sphingolipid metabolites in inflammatory disease

Nature. 2014 Jun 5;510(7503):58-67. doi: 10.1038/nature13475.

Abstract

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous building blocks of eukaryotic cell membranes. Progress in our understanding of sphingolipid metabolism, state-of-the-art sphingolipidomic approaches and animal models have generated a large body of evidence demonstrating that sphingolipid metabolites, particularly ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate, are signalling molecules that regulate a diverse range of cellular processes that are important in immunity, inflammation and inflammatory disorders. Recent insights into the molecular mechanisms of action of sphingolipid metabolites and new perspectives on their roles in regulating chronic inflammation have been reported. The knowledge gained in this emerging field will aid in the development of new therapeutic options for inflammatory disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipokines / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / metabolism
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Ceramides / metabolism
  • Endothelium / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Lymphocytes / cytology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Lysophospholipids / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sphingolipids / metabolism*
  • Sphingosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Sphingosine / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Adipokines
  • Ceramides
  • Lysophospholipids
  • Sphingolipids
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • ceramide 1-phosphate
  • sphingosine 1-phosphate
  • Sphingosine