Sphingosine's role in epithelial host defense: A natural antimicrobial and novel therapeutic.
Sphingosine is a natural sphingolipid found in membranes of all eukaryotic cells. In addition to its functions in cell signaling, sphingosine has broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. Sphingosine's role as an antimicrobial is important in tissues such as the skin and respiratory epithelium. Reduction in the normal sphingosine level is associated with problems related to infection susceptibility. Therefore, exogenous sphingosine may be an effective antimicrobial therapeutic. Inhaled nebulized sphingosine has been shown to be effective at both preventing and treating pneumonia in multiple mouse models. We now show that inhaled sphingosine has low toxicity to the respiratory system, strengthening its case as an excellent candidate for a novel inhaled antimicrobial drug.
Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Grace E
GE
Martin
Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Ryan M
RM
Boudreau
Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Caroline
C
Couch
Dept. of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
Katrin Anne
KA
Becker
Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Michael J
MJ
Edwards
Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Charles C
CC
Caldwell
Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Dept. of Molecular Biology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
Erich
E
Gulbins
Dept. of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0558, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. Electronic address: seitzap@ucmail.uc.edu.
Aaron
A
Seitz
D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000276:immunology*; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D013110:Sphingosine
Bacteria; Inhalation; Pneumonia; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Sphingosine