Multiple sclerosis (MS) represents the most common demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) in adults as well as in children. Furthermore, in children, in addition to acquired diseases such as MS, genetically inherited diseases significantly contribute to the incidence of demyelinating disorders. Some genetic defects lead to sphingolipid alterations that are able to elicit neurological symptoms. Sphingolipids are essential for brain development, and their aberrant functionality may thus contribute to demyelinating diseases such as MS. In particular, sphingolipidoses caused by deficits of sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes, are often associated with demyelination. Sphingolipids are not only structural molecules but also bioactive molecules involved in the regulation of cellular events such as development of the nervous system, myelination and maintenance of myelin stability. Changes in the sphingolipid metabolism deeply affect plasma membrane organization. Thus, changes in myelin sphingolipid composition might crucially contribute to the phenotype of diseases characterized by demyelinalization. Here, we review key features of several sphingolipids such as ceramide/dihydroceramide, sphingosine/dihydrosphingosine, glucosylceramide and, galactosylceramide which act in myelin formation during rat brain development and in human brain demyelination during the pathogenesis of MS, suggesting that this knowledge could be useful in identifying targets for possible therapies.

The role of Sphingolipids in myelination and myelin stability and their involvement in childhood and adult demyelinating disorders / P. Giussani, A. Prinetti, C. Tringali. - In: JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY. - ISSN 0022-3042. - 156:4(2021 Feb), pp. 403-414. [10.1111/jnc.15133]

The role of Sphingolipids in myelination and myelin stability and their involvement in childhood and adult demyelinating disorders

P. Giussani
Primo
;
A. Prinetti
Secondo
;
C. Tringali
Ultimo
2021

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) represents the most common demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS) in adults as well as in children. Furthermore, in children, in addition to acquired diseases such as MS, genetically inherited diseases significantly contribute to the incidence of demyelinating disorders. Some genetic defects lead to sphingolipid alterations that are able to elicit neurological symptoms. Sphingolipids are essential for brain development, and their aberrant functionality may thus contribute to demyelinating diseases such as MS. In particular, sphingolipidoses caused by deficits of sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes, are often associated with demyelination. Sphingolipids are not only structural molecules but also bioactive molecules involved in the regulation of cellular events such as development of the nervous system, myelination and maintenance of myelin stability. Changes in the sphingolipid metabolism deeply affect plasma membrane organization. Thus, changes in myelin sphingolipid composition might crucially contribute to the phenotype of diseases characterized by demyelinalization. Here, we review key features of several sphingolipids such as ceramide/dihydroceramide, sphingosine/dihydrosphingosine, glucosylceramide and, galactosylceramide which act in myelin formation during rat brain development and in human brain demyelination during the pathogenesis of MS, suggesting that this knowledge could be useful in identifying targets for possible therapies.
demyelination; multiple sclerosis; myelin; sphingolipidoses; sphingolipids
Settore BIO/10 - Biochimica
Settore BIO/12 - Biochimica Clinica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica
feb-2021
ago-2020
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/789760
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