The Human Plasma Lipidome

Abstract

To the Editor: In their review, Quehenberger and Dennis (Nov. 10 issue)¹ describe plasma lipids implicated in Gaucher's disease. Although they could not possibly mention every lipid, we believe it is worth commenting on the cationic amphiphilic glycolipid globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) and its contribution to a better understanding of the pathogenesis and monitoring of Fabry's disease. High plasma concentrations of lyso-Gb3 were observed in patients with this disease,² and these levels correlated with several of its manifestations³ and decreased in response to enzyme-replacement therapy.⁴,⁵ Furthermore, lyso-Gb3 promoted vascular smooth-muscle cell proliferation² as well as transforming growth factor-β1–mediated synthesis of extracellular . . .