Journal article
Ceramide signaling in immunity: a molecular perspective
Lipids in health and disease, Vol.24(1), 225
07/01/2025
DOI: 10.1186/s12944-025-02642-2
PMCID: PMC12218095
PMID: 40597360
Abstract
Ceramides are bioactive lipids that play a crucial role in cellular signaling and structural integrity (Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 19:175-191, 2018). As members of the sphingolipid family, ceramides consist of a sphingoid base attached to a fatty acid (Annu Rev Biophys 47:633-654, 2018). Their unique structure confers both hydrophobic and amphipathic properties, enabling them to organize into membrane microdomains that influence cellular dynamics (Annu Rev Biophys 47:633-654, 2018). In recent years, ceramides have garnered attention for their role in modulating a range of cellular and organismal functions. Unlike other lipids that primarily serve structural roles, ceramides act as bioactive lipids in key signaling pathways, mediating stress responses such as inflammation, oxidative stress, growth inhibition, metabolism, autophagy, and apoptosis (J Lipid Res 60:913-918, 2019). Their regulatory effects are particularly important in immune cells, where ceramides can influence cell fate, modulate cellular metabolism, affect cytokine production, and dictate responses to external stimuli (Nature 510:58-67, 2014). Since ceramides maintain a dynamic equilibrium with other sphingolipids within a cell, understanding their role in immune cells in isolation provides only a partial perspective. Nevertheless, as a bioactive lipid and the central precursor of other sphingolipids, ceramides play a pivotal role in immune cells, deserving focused attention.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Ceramide signaling in immunity: a molecular perspective
- Creators
- Himani Thakkar - Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. himani-thakkar@uiowa.eduVinnyfred Vincent - University of IowaBhagirath Chaurasia - Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. bhagirath-chaurasia@uiowa.edu
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Lipids in health and disease, Vol.24(1), 225
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12944-025-02642-2
- PMID
- 40597360
- PMCID
- PMC12218095
- NLM abbreviation
- Lipids Health Dis
- ISSN
- 1476-511X
- eISSN
- 1476-511X
- Publisher
- BMC
- Grant note
- 7-21-JDF-033 / American Diabetes Association R01 DK124326 / NIDDK NIH HHS 522 / Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation 25POST1372103 / American Heart Association DK124326 / NIDDK NIH HHS 25-5906 / Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust 25POST1374595 / American Heart Association
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/01/2025
- Academic Unit
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Endocrinology and Metabolism; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984843588902771
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