Sphingomyelins are a dominant sphingolipid in membranes of mammalian cells, and this lipid class is specifically enriched in the plasma membrane [1]. Sphingomyelins have a favorable interaction with cholesterol (and other sterols), regulating the distribution of cholesterol within the cell membrane and maintaining the cholesterol homeostasis [2]. Sphingomyelins have been widely used to regulate the lipid mobility of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and the extracellular flow of cholesterol[3].
In vitro, Sphingomyelins treatment (50µM) for 1 hour significantly promoted the vacuolation in HeLa cells mediated by 10nM vacuolating cytotoxin (VacA)[4].
In vivo, Sphingomyelins treatment via oral administration at a dose of 8mg daily for 7 days aggravated the intestinal mucosal inflammation in a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS), and impaired the intestinal mucosal function[5]. Oral administration of 0.05% Sphingomyelins in AIN76A diet for 45 weeks significantly inhibited the progression of colon tumors induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in mice[6].
References:
[1] Slotte J P. Biological functions of sphingomyelins[J]. Progress in lipid research, 2013, 52(4): 424-437.
[2] Slotte J P, Ramstedt B. The functional role of sphingomyelin in cell membranes[J]. European journal of lipid science and technology, 2007, 109(10): 977-981.
[3] Martínez-Beamonte R, Lou-Bonafonte J M, Martínez-Gracia M V, et al. Sphingomyelin in high-density lipoproteins: structural role and biological function[J]. International journal of molecular sciences, 2013, 14(4): 7716-7741.
[4] Gupta V R, Patel H K, Kostolansky S S, et al. Sphingomyelin functions as a novel receptor for Helicobacter pylori VacA[J]. PLoS pathogens, 2008, 4(5): e1000073.
[5] Fischbeck A, Leucht K, Frey-Wagner I, et al. Sphingomyelin induces cathepsin D-mediated apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells and increases inflammation in DSS colitis[J]. Gut, 2011, 60(1): 55-65.
[6] Lemonnier L A, Dillehay D L, Vespremi M J, et al. Sphingomyelin in the suppression of colon tumors: prevention versus intervention[J]. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 2003, 419(2): 129-138.
Sphingomyelins是哺乳动物细胞膜中主要的鞘脂类物质，特异性地富集于质膜中[1]。Sphingomyelins与胆固醇（及其他甾醇）具有良好的相互作用，可调节胆固醇在细胞膜内的分布并维持胆固醇稳态[2]。Sphingomyelins已被广泛用于调节高密度脂蛋白的脂质流动性以及胆固醇的细胞外流动[3]。
在体外，50µM的Sphingomyelins处理HeLa细胞1小时，显著促进了10nM空泡毒素介导的细胞空泡化[4]。
在体内，每日口服8mg剂量的Sphingomyelins，连续7天，加剧了葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导的结肠炎小鼠模型的肠道黏膜炎症，并损害了肠道黏膜功能[5]。在AIN76A饲料中添加0.05%的Sphingomyelins并每日喂养45周，显著抑制了1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)诱导的小鼠结肠肿瘤的进展[6]。