# Effect of sphingomyelin biosynthesis on atherosclerosis

> **NIH NIH R01** · SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $480,596

## Abstract

Summary
Significant evidence indicates that sphingomyelin (SM) content in the aortic wall and in the plasma is closely
related to atherogenesis. High SM is an independent risk factor for human coronary heart disease and is
associated with human atherosclerotic plaque inflammation. We found that inhibiting serine palmitoyl-
transferase, the first enzyme for SM biosynthesis reduced plasma SM and atherogenesis in mouse models.
However, mechanisms are unknown, prompting further studies exploring relationships between blocking SM
synthase (SMS) and atherogenesis. Two isoforms of SMS (SMS1 and SMS2) reside downstream of serine
palmitoyl-transferase and catalyze the conversion of ceramide to SM. SMS1 and SMS2 activities are co-
expressed in all tested tissues, including the liver, intestine, and macrophage. Thus, neither SMS1 gene
knockout (KO) nor SMS2 KO approach is sufficient to evaluate the effect of SM reduction on atherosclerosis.
We will use SMS1/SMS2 double KO approach in this study. Our objective is to test our hypotheses that
inhibition of total SMS activity can: a) block SM bioavailability during the process of apoB-containing
atherogenic lipoprotein (BLp, i.e. VLDL and chylomicron) production; b) reduce lipid absorption and attenuate
inflammation by reducing SM in cell (enterocyte and macrophage) plasma membrane lipid rafts; and c) reduce
atherosclerosis progression and regression without causing steatosis (SMS inhibition-mediated ceramide
accumulation could suppress lipogenesis). In this study, we will use inducible global, liver-specific, and
intestine-specific total SMS KO mouse models, as well as our specific SMS inhibitors. Specific aims: 1.
Evaluate effects of blocking SMS on VLDL production and catabolism. 2. Investigate the effects of blocking
SMS on lipid absorption and chylomicron secretion. 3. Examine the roles of absence or inhibition of SMS in
atherosclerosis progression and regression. Insights gained from the proposed studies will allow us to evaluate
SMS as a target for preventing and treating atherosclerosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10074590
- **Project number:** 5R01HL149730-02
- **Recipient organization:** SUNY DOWNSTATE MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** XIAN-CHENG JIANG
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $480,596
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10074590

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10074590, Effect of sphingomyelin biosynthesis on atherosclerosis (5R01HL149730-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10074590. Licensed CC0.

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