Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 6, 2025

A Pipeline to Investigate the Structures and Signaling Pathways of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors
Published on: June 8, 2022
Sphingolipids in the Heart: From Cradle to Grave
Anna Kovilakath1, Maryam Jamil1, Lauren Ashley Cowart2,3
1Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States.
Sphingolipids impact heart health, contributing to both cardiovascular disease and protective functions. Research highlights their role in cardiometabolic disease and identifies them as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular disease risk.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cardiology
- Metabolomics
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global cause of mortality, exacerbated by rising metabolic disease.
- Metabolic disorders disrupt sphingolipid metabolism, implicating them in obesity-related cardiovascular pathology.
- Sphingolipids play dual roles in the heart, mediating both disease processes and essential cardiac functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the dual roles of sphingolipids in cardiogenesis and myocardial function.
- To explore the potential of targeting sphingolipid metabolism for cardiometabolic disease treatment.
- To highlight novel sphingolipid biomarkers for cardiovascular disease risk prediction.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of experimental and lipidomics studies.
- Analysis of sphingolipid metabolism and signaling pathways in cardiovascular contexts.
- Evaluation of sphingolipid biomarkers in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and prognosis.
Main Results:
- Sphingolipids contribute to pathological processes in obesity-related cardiovascular disease.
- Specific sphingolipids are essential for normal cardiac development and function.
- Certain sphingolipids offer protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury.
- Untargeted lipidomics has identified circulating sphingolipids as novel CVD biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Sphingolipid metabolism is a critical factor in cardiometabolic disease.
- Targeting sphingolipids may offer therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular conditions.
- Circulating sphingolipids show promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.
Related Concept Videos
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer
Lipids as Anchors
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...
Membrane Lipids
Phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and sphingomyelin are the most common phospholipids present in mammalian membranes. At physiological pH, phosphatidylserine is negatively charged, while the other three...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin,...
Membrane Domains
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the...

