title: Emerging roles for lysophospholipid mediators in pregnancy.
abstract: Recent progress in lipid research has unveiled new biologic roles for lysophospholipids as mediators of intercellular signaling. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) are representative lysophospholipids. Accumulating evidence suggests that, acting as intercellular mediators, these and other lysophospholipids may play important roles in physiological and pathological situations. This review discusses the possible involvement of LPA and S1P in reproductive processes, with a focus on the regulatory mechanisms of pregnancy maintenance. As LPA promotes prostaglandin synthesis, mediators in the LPA pathway may also play a significant role in implantation and parturition. S1P signaling is thought to be essential in vascular formation within the uteroplacental unit and in fetomaternal immunologic interactions. Derangements in either one of these lysophospholipid signaling pathways could result in pregnancy complications that may include implantation failure, preeclampsia, and preterm labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagamatsu
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Iwasawa-Kawai
authors.forename: Mayuko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Kei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawana
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Osuga
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fujii
authors.forename: Danny J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schust
mesh_terms: D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D036801:Parturition / Q000276:immunology; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008246:Lysophospholipids; D011453:Prostaglandins; C060506:sphingosine 1-phosphate; D013110:Sphingosine; C032881:lysophosphatidic acid
keywords: Lysophosphatidic acid; lysophospholipid; pregnancy; reproduction; sphingosine 1-phosphate