Sphingolipids and Atherosclerosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We integrate evidences from human and mouse model studies which emphasize sphingolipid metabolism-mediated endothelium-lipoprotein-atherogenic plaque framework. The review may provide a new angel for understanding the development of atherosclerosis and its prevention and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS: Sphingolipids, such as ceramide, sphingomyelin, glucosylceramide, sphingosine-1-phosphate, are one of the major players in atherogenesis. Atherosclerosis begins when ApoB-containing lipoproteins accumulate and undergo modification in the subendothelial space and then progresses through endothelial dysfunction, leukocyte recruitment, foam-cell formation, and plaque formation. Sphingolipids participate in each of these stages both as structural membrane components and as signaling molecules. In this review, we highlight recent advances in sphingolipid biomarkers and discuss their clinical promise and limitations.