鞘类脂质是一类广泛存在于各种真核细胞膜上的分子类物质。鞘脂类最初被认为是细胞膜的结构组成部分,随着研究的深入发现此类物质同时也是重要的信号分子。鞘氨醇1-磷酸(sphingosine-1-phosphate,SIP)是鞘脂类的代谢产物,在细胞的变异、增殖、凋亡以及血管生成的过程中是重要的生物活性信号。SIP在支气管哮喘的发病机制中扮演了重要角色。近期研究表明在肥大细胞中鞘氨醇激酶的激活通过FcεRI信号通路使鞘氨醇转变为S1P,参与诱导了气道平滑肌的收缩和气道重塑。这些新发现的信号途径为支气管哮喘患者提供了潜在的治疗靶点。
Sphingolipids are molecules ubiquitously expressed in all kinds of eukaryotic cell membranes. Initially they were characterized as structural components of cell membranes. While with the development of research, sphingolipids have emerged as sources of vital singaling molecules. Sphingosine- 1-phosphate (SIP) is one of sphingolipid metabolites, which has roles as potent bioactive messengers involved in cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and angigenesis. SIP plays a crucial role in the mechanism of bronchial asthma. A newly recognized addition to the repertoire of FcεRI-mediated signaling events is the activation of sphingosine kinase leading to the generation of S1P from sphingosine. It is also demonstrated that S1P provokes the contraction of airway smooth muscle cells and airway remodeling. These novel pathways represent exciting potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of bronchial asthma and are described in the present review.