Abstract

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a biologically active metabolite of plasma-membrane sphingolipids that is essential for immune-cell trafficking. Its concentration is increased in many inflammatory conditions, such as asthma and autoimmunity. Much of the immune function of S1P results from the engagement of a family of G-protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1–S1PR5). Recent findings on the role of S1P in immunosurveillance, the discovery of regulatory mechanisms in S1P-mediated immune-cell trafficking and new advances in understanding the mechanism by which S1P affects immune-cell function indicate that the alliance between S1P and its receptors has a fundamental role in immunity.

Author affiliations

1. Laboratory of Immune Cell Signaling, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
2. Genetics of Development and Disease Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.

Correspondence to: Juan Rivera¹ Email: juan.rivera@nih.gov

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.