title: Sphingosine kinase and sphingosine 1-phosphate in asthma.
abstract: Sphingolipids are amphiphatic molecules ubiquitously expressed in all eukaryotic cell membranes. Initially characterized as structural components of cell membranes, sphingolipids have emerged as sources of important signalling molecules over the past decade. Sphingolipid metabolites, such as ceramide and S1P (sphingosine 1-phosphate), have been demonstrated to have roles as potent bioactive messengers involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and angiogenesis. The importance of SphK (sphingosine kinase) and S1P in inflammation has been demonstrated extensively. The prevalence of asthma is increasing in many developed nations. Consequently, there is an urgent need for the development of new agents for the treatment of asthma, especially for patients who respond poorly to conventional therapy. Recent studies have demonstrated the important role of SphK and S1P in the development of asthma by regulating pro-inflammatory responses. These novel pathways represent exciting potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of asthma and are described in the present review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 2 Medical Drive, Singapore 117597.
authors.forename: Wen-Qi
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: W S Fred
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Bernard P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008168:Lung / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049349:Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013107:Sphingolipids / Q000378:metabolism; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000099157:Sphingosine Kinase
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D000068876:Fingolimod Hydrochloride; D008246:Lysophospholipids; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); D011409:Propylene Glycols; D049349:Receptors, Lysosphingolipid; D013107:Sphingolipids; D013110:Sphingosine; D000099157:Sphingosine Kinase; C060506:sphingosine 1-phosphate