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Assessment of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Reserve and Intracellular Diastolic Calcium Removal in Isolated Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
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The antithetic role of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate in cardiac dysfunction

Federica Cirillo1, Marco Piccoli1, Andrea Ghiroldi1

  • 1Laboratory of Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy.

Journal of Cellular Physiology
|January 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Sphingolipids, like ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), play opposing roles in heart cell function. Targeting the ceramide/S1P balance offers a promising new strategy for treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading global cause of mortality, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems.
  • Sphingolipids (SLs) are increasingly recognized as bioactive compounds influencing critical cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.
  • SLs' role in cardiac physiology and pathophysiology is gaining attention as a potential factor in CVD development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the opposing roles of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in cardiomyocyte dysfunction.
  • To highlight the therapeutic potential of modulating SL metabolism for cardiovascular disease management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on sphingolipid metabolism and cardiovascular pathophysiology.
  • Analysis of studies investigating ceramide and S1P in cardiac cell function.
  • Examination of therapeutic agents targeting SL metabolism, such as myriocin and FTY720.

Main Results:

  • Ceramide and S1P exhibit antagonistic effects on the fate of cardiac cells.
  • The balance between ceramide and S1P (the ceramide/S1P rheostat) is a critical factor in cardiovascular health.
  • Modulation of SL metabolism presents a novel therapeutic avenue for CVDs.

Conclusions:

  • The opposing actions of ceramide and S1P in cardiomyocytes underscore their importance in cardiovascular pathophysiology.
  • Targeting the ceramide/S1P rheostat through specific metabolic modulators offers a promising therapeutic strategy for CVDs.
  • Further research into SL metabolism could lead to improved treatments for cardiovascular conditions.

Keywords:
cardioprotectioncardiovascular diseasesceramidesphingolipidssphingosine 1-phosphate

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