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Acid sphingomyelinase in macrophage biology

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Abstract

Macrophages play a central role in innate immune responses, in disposal of cholesterol, and in tissue homeostasis and remodeling. To perform these vital functions macrophages display high endosomal/lysosomal activities. Recent studies have highlighted that acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase), which generates ceramide from sphingomyelin, is involved in modulation of membrane structures and signal transduction in addition to its metabolic role in the lysosome. In this review, we bring together studies on ASMase, its different forms and locations that are necessary for the macrophage to accomplish its diverse functions. We also address the importance of ASMase to several disease processes that are mediated by activated macrophages.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Dr. Y.A. Hannun and his team at MUSC for stimulating discussions and contribution of information to this article. S.M.H. was supported by NIH grant HL079274, NIH (ARRA) grant R01 HL079274 04S1, The Southeastern Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR, formerly GCRC) and the South Carolina COBRE in Lipidomics and Pathobiology (P20 RR17677 from NCRR).

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  1. Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 114 Doughty Street 629A, MSC 815, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Jean-Philip Truman, Mohammed M. Al Gadban, Kent J. Smith & Samar M. Hammad

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Correspondence to Samar M. Hammad.

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Truman, JP., Al Gadban, M.M., Smith, K.J. et al. Acid sphingomyelinase in macrophage biology. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 68, 3293–3305 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-011-0686-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-011-0686-6

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