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Updated: May 12, 2026

Saturated Fatty Acids Induce Ceramide-associated Macrophage Cell Death

Saturated Fatty Acids Induce Ceramide-associated Macrophage Cell Death

Published on: October 31, 2017

Bacterial infections and ceramide.

Heike Grassmé¹, Katrin Anne Becker

¹Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany. heike.gulbins@uni-due.de

Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology

|April 9, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Pathogen infections exploit sphingomyelinase-ceramide systems for cell entry and manipulation. This ceramide pathway is crucial for host defense against various infections.

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Area of Science:

Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Immunology

Background:

Ceramide, a lipid molecule, is generated via sphingomyelin breakdown or de novo synthesis.
Sphingomyelinases (acid, neutral, alkaline) are key enzymes in ceramide metabolism.
Pathogens utilize host cell sphingomyelinase-ceramide systems during infection.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the role of the sphingomyelinase-ceramide system in host-pathogen interactions.
To understand how pathogens exploit this lipid signaling pathway.
To highlight the significance of ceramide in the host immune response.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on ceramide metabolism and pathogen infection mechanisms.
Analysis of studies investigating sphingomyelinase activity in cellular infections.
Examination of signaling pathways and cellular responses involving ceramide.

Main Results:

Pathogens leverage acid and neutral sphingomyelinases to facilitate cellular invasion.
Sphingomyelinase-ceramide pathways are implicated in pathogen internalization.
These pathways regulate apoptosis, intracellular signaling, and cytokine release in infected cells.

Conclusions:

The sphingomyelinase-ceramide system is a critical component of the host response to diverse pathogens.
Targeting this system could offer novel therapeutic strategies against infections.
Ceramide's multifaceted roles underscore its importance in host-pathogen dynamics.