Sphingosine 1-phosphate in inflammation

Sphingolipids are formed via the metabolism of sphingomyelin,aconstituent of the plasma membrane.or by denovosynthesis.Enzymatic pathways result in the formation of sevenal different lipid meiators,which are knowm to bave important roles in many elllar proceses.imcluding polfeatioe,apoptosis and migation Several studies nDowr suggest that these shingolipid mediators,inchding cenamide,ceramside i-pbosphate and sphingosine 1-pbosphate(SIP).are likely to have a integral role in infamation.This can involve,for example activation of po-inammatory transcription factors in different cell types and indiuction of cyloxygenase-2.leading t如o productio of pro-inamatory prostaglandins.The mode of action of each sphingolipid is different.Increased ceramide production leads to the formation of ceramide-rich areas of the membnane.which may assemble sigalling compleses,whereas SIP acts via b-affnity G-protein-coupled SIP receptors on the plasma membrane.Recent studies bave demonstated that in vitro efects of sphingolipids o infammation can translate into in vivo models.This review will higblight the areas of research where spbingolipids ae involved in infamomation and the mecharisms of acion of each mediator.In adirion,the therpeutic poternial of dinugs that alter sphingolipid actions mill be exmined with reference to disease states,such as asthma and infammatary bowel disease,which invove importanot ifmaxmsutory components.A signifcant body of research now indicates that sphingolipids ure intimately inolved in the infammatory process and recent studies have demonstated that these lipids.together with associated enzymes and receptors,can provide effective drug targets for the treatment of pathological inflammation.