The role of the sphingolipid pathway in liver fibrosis: an emerging new potential target for novel therapies
Yuval Ishay, Dean Nachman, Tawfik Khoury, Yaron Ilan
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SL) are a family of bioactive lipids and a major cellular membrane structural component. SLs include three main compounds: ceramide (Cer), sphingosine (Sp), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S-1P), all of which have emerging roles in biological functions in cells, especially in the liver. They are under investigation in various liver diseases, including cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. In this review, we provide an overview on the role of SLs in liver pathobiology and focus on their potential role in the development of hepatic fibrosis. We describe recent evidence and suggest SLs are a promising potential therapeutic target for the treatment of liver disease and fibrosis.
Topics & Concepts
SphingolipidCeramideSphingosineCirrhosisSphingosine-1-phosphateLiver fibrosisFibrosisLiver diseaseCancer researchChronic liver diseaseDiseaseHepatic stellate cellBiologyBioinformaticsMedicineCell biologyPathologyBiochemistryInternal medicineReceptorApoptosisSphingolipid Metabolism and SignalingLiver physiology and pathologyDrug Transport and Resistance Mechanisms