Functions of ceramide and its role in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

Ceramide is a kind of sphingomyelin molecule,as a second messenger in cells,regulates cell proliferation,differentiation,senescence,apoptosis and other life activities.Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a disease characterized by pulmonary arterioles remodeling and increased increased vascular resistance. Ceramide is involved in the occurrence and development of pulmonary arterial hypertension by mediating pulmonary vascular remodeling,inflammatory response and lipotoxicity. Understanding the biological functions of ceramide and its mechanism involved in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension may provide new idea for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Keywords

• ceramide|synthesis and metabolism|biological functions|pulmonary arterial hypertension