The role of glycosphingolipids in hypoxic cell injury.

Recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanism of cell injury have led to the realization that cell injury is a gradual process, which involves, in its early stages, specific biochemical responses of cells to the injury process. In this review, we have shown that the pursuit of the mechanisms by which inhibition of a specific GSL (GalCer) in hypoxic OLG occurs can lead to (1) an understanding of how the synthesis and transport of GalCer are regulated in the cell, and (2) evidence that the injury causes a potentially devastating (yet reversible) block in the production of this important lipid. This review has also discussed evidence that GSL, in their roles as regulators of the cell's interaction with its environment, can play important roles in determining the outcome of injurious processes.