Int J Mol Sci. 2026 Jul 3;27(13):5972. doi: 10.3390/ijms27135972.
ABSTRACT
Endothelial dysfunction underlies many cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Lysosomal storage disorders, particularly sphingolipidoses, cause intracellular accumulation of specific sphingolipids due to inherited enzyme defects. This review focuses on Gaucher, Niemann-Pick (types A, B, A/B) and Fabry diseases, selected because they exhibit clinically significant cardiovascular manifestations and each accumulates a distinct sphingolipid-glucocerebroside, sphingomyelin, or globotriaosylceramide-allowing comparative analysis of how different metabolic defects converge on similar endothelial phenotypes. We summarize current knowledge on how substrate accumulation disrupts the ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) rheostat, affecting NO synthase, vascular permeability, inflammation, angiogenesis, autophagy and cell death. Common and disease-specific changes in endothelial morphology and barrier function are discussed. Importantly, direct experimental evidence for endothelial involvement in Gaucher and Niemann-Pick diseases remains scarce; most mechanistic insights derive from non-endothelial cell models, highlighting a significant gap that underscores the need for targeted endothelial studies. Deficiencies of GBA1, SMPD1, and GLA each modulate S1P and ceramide production through distinct pathways, yet all three conditions share similar functional endothelial alterations driven by disrupted sphingolipid homeostasis. Understanding these common mechanisms opens new perspectives for diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring sphingolipid balance in the endothelium, though further research is required to validate these findings in endothelial-specific contexts.
PMID:42450239 | PMC:PMC13361328 | DOI:10.3390/ijms27135972