Unveiling the biological role of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators in inflammatory bowel diseases

Figure 3 Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators in preclinical and clinical studies in inflammatory bowel disease. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors (S1PRs) have been highlighted as important research targets in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). S1PRs are expressed on immune cells and lymphatic endothelial cells. Binding of S1P to S1PR regulates a variety of biological processes, including cell survival, differentiation, migration, proliferation, immune response, trafficking of T and B cells, and intestinal epithelial barrier function. Several novel, selective S1PR modulators are currently being tested in IBD and contribute to the amelioration of the inflammatory process in inflamed intestinal tissue by regulating immune cell concentration, activity, trafficking, and cytokine secretion, as well as intestinal barrier function and integrity. S1P: Sphingosine 1 phosphate; S1PR: Sphingosine 1 phosphate receptor; IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease; Th: T helper; Tregs: Regulatory T cells.