S1P and the birth of platelets. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Recent work has highlighted the multitude of biological functions of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), which include roles in hematopoietic cell trafficking, organization of immune organs, vascular development, and neuroinflammation. Indeed, a functional antagonist of S1P(1) receptor, FTY720/Gilenya, has entered the clinic as a novel therapeutic for multiple sclerosis. In this issue of the JEM, Zhang et al. highlight yet another function of this lipid mediator: thrombopoiesis. The S1P(1) receptor is required for the growth of proplatelet strings in the bloodstream and the shedding of platelets into the circulation. Notably, the sharp gradient of S1P between blood and the interstitial fluids seems to be essential to ensure the production of platelets, and S1P appears to cooperate with the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis. Pharmacologic modulation of the S1P(1) receptor altered circulating platelet numbers acutely, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for controlling thrombocytopenic states. However, the S1P(4) receptor may also regulate thrombopoiesis during stress-induced accelerated platelet production. This work reveals a novel physiological action of the S1P/S1P(1) duet that could potentially be harnessed for clinical translation.

publication date

  • November 19, 2012

Research

keywords

  • Blood Platelets
  • Cell Movement
  • Lysophospholipids
  • Models, Biological
  • Receptors, Lysosphingolipid
  • Sphingosine
  • Thrombopoiesis

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC3501358

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84871905072

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1084/jem.20122284

PubMed ID

  • 23166370

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 209

issue

  • 12