Sphingolipids in HDL - Potential markers for adaptation to pregnancy?

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Reproductive Medicine
• Lipid Metabolism

Background:

• Plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is crucial for endothelial protection.
• HDL's lipidome is altered in metabolic diseases, impacting cholesterol efflux.
• Sphingolipids, such as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), mediate HDL's vasodilatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of HDL in maternal vascular function during healthy pregnancy.
• To examine the loss of HDL's protective functions in pre-eclampsia.
• To discuss the involvement of HDL sphingolipids (S1P, ceramide) in pregnancy-related vascular health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on HDL, sphingolipids, and pregnancy.
• Analysis of studies on endothelial function in healthy pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.
• Examination of the impact of HDL sphingolipids on vascular protection.

Main Results:

• HDL protects the maternal vascular endothelium in healthy pregnancies.
• This protective function is diminished in pre-eclampsia, a condition marked by endothelial dysfunction.
• HDL-S1P and HDL-ceramide show potential for mediating vascular protection in healthy pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• HDL sphingolipids are vital for healthy maternal adaptation to pregnancy.
• Dysfunctional HDL sphingolipids contribute to endothelial dysfunction in pre-eclampsia.
• Targeting HDL sphingolipids may offer therapeutic potential for pregnancy complications.