Resolving versus non-resolving sphingolipid dynamics during macrophage activation: a time-resolved metabolic analysis

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Resolving versus non-resolving sphingolipid dynamics during macrophage activation: a time-resolved metabolic analysis
Authors: Nathan F. Chiappa, Nidhi Lal, Edward A. Botchwey
Source: Journal of Lipid Research, Vol 66, Iss 11, Pp 100899- (2025)
Publisher Information: Elsevier
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles
Subject Terms: sphingolipids, sphingosine phosphate, lipidomics, inflammation, ceramides, Biochemistry, QD415-436
Description: Sphingolipids are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of inflammation and cell fate decisions, with metabolites such as ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate exerting contrasting effects on cell survival and proliferation. In macrophages, this balance is especially important, given their central role in host defense, pathogenesis and wound healing. Here, we present a time-resolved model of sphingolipid metabolism in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with KdO2–Lipid A. By integrating measured metabolite concentrations with dynamic flux estimation and established enzyme kinetics, we systematically map dynamic changes in the sphingolipid network during inflammation. Our results reveal a three-phase pattern of sphingolipid remodeling that correlates with distinct functional states of the cell. Moreover, metabolites can be classified into “resolving” or “non-resolving” lipids based on whether they return to basal levels or remain dysregulated through the later phases of the inflammatory response. This partitioning suggests that targeted modulation of specific metabolic nodes may influence the resolution of inflammation. Importantly, our computational approach can assist in the rational design of experimental studies by pinpointing putative drug targets with maximal impact on sphingolipid homeostasis. Such targeted interventions may prevent the pathological amplification of inflammatory signals without globally suppressing essential sphingolipid functions. These findings highlight the utility of an integrative systems-level analysis for elucidating sphingolipid dynamics in macrophages and underscore its potential to guide therapeutic strategies against conditions involving dysregulated inflammation.
Document Type: article in journal/newspaper
Language: English
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022227525001610; https://doaj.org/toc/0022-2275; https://doaj.org/article/7026e247f4c84522a1cd259419431ff4
DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2025.100899
Availability: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlr.2025.100899
https://doaj.org/article/7026e247f4c84522a1cd259419431ff4
Accession Number: edsbas.C7F45CB3
Database: BASE
Description
Abstract:Sphingolipids are increasingly recognized as critical regulators of inflammation and cell fate decisions, with metabolites such as ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate exerting contrasting effects on cell survival and proliferation. In macrophages, this balance is especially important, given their central role in host defense, pathogenesis and wound healing. Here, we present a time-resolved model of sphingolipid metabolism in RAW 264.7 macrophages stimulated with KdO2–Lipid A. By integrating measured metabolite concentrations with dynamic flux estimation and established enzyme kinetics, we systematically map dynamic changes in the sphingolipid network during inflammation. Our results reveal a three-phase pattern of sphingolipid remodeling that correlates with distinct functional states of the cell. Moreover, metabolites can be classified into “resolving” or “non-resolving” lipids based on whether they return to basal levels or remain dysregulated through the later phases of the inflammatory response. This partitioning suggests that targeted modulation of specific metabolic nodes may influence the resolution of inflammation. Importantly, our computational approach can assist in the rational design of experimental studies by pinpointing putative drug targets with maximal impact on sphingolipid homeostasis. Such targeted interventions may prevent the pathological amplification of inflammatory signals without globally suppressing essential sphingolipid functions. These findings highlight the utility of an integrative systems-level analysis for elucidating sphingolipid dynamics in macrophages and underscore its potential to guide therapeutic strategies against conditions involving dysregulated inflammation.
DOI:10.1016/j.jlr.2025.100899