Inflammation is a network of complex processes involving a variety of metabolic and signaling pathways aiming at healing and repairing damage tissue, or fighting
infection. However,
inflammation can be detrimental when it becomes out of control. Inflammatory mediators involve
cytokines, bioactive
lipids and
lipid-derived metabolites. In particular, the simple
sphingolipids ceramides,
sphingosine 1-phosphate, and
ceramide 1-phosphate have been widely implicated in
inflammation. However, although
ceramide 1-phosphate was first described as pro-inflammatory, recent studies show that it has anti-inflammatory properties when produced in specific cell types or tissues. The biological functions of
ceramides and
sphingosine 1-phosphate have been extensively studied. These
sphingolipids have opposing effects with
ceramides being potent inducers of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and
sphingosine 1-phosphate promoting cell growth and survival. However, the biological actions of
ceramide 1-phosphate have only been partially described.
Ceramide 1-phosphate is mitogenic and anti-apoptotic, and more recently, it has been demonstrated to be key regulator of cell migration. Both
sphingosine 1-phosphate and
ceramide 1-phosphate are also implicated in
tumor growth and dissemination. The present review highlights new aspects on the control of
inflammation and cell migration by simple
sphingolipids, with special emphasis to the role played by
ceramide 1-phosphate in controlling these actions.