Background. The sphingolipid mediator ceramide accumulates in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as Cystic Fibrosis and COPD, promoting inflammation and favoring infection. Sphingolipids (SPLs) are essential components of fungal membranes and signaling. Myriocin (Myr) inhibits SPLs synthesis in both human and fungi. We previously demonstrated that Myr loaded nanocarriers (SLN) reduces CF mice lung inflammation, ceramide content and P. aeruginosa infection (Caretti et al BBA 2014).

Hypothesis. We hypothesize that Myr modulation of SPLs synthesis, by lowering ceramide expression level, could reduce A. fumigatus infection and inflammation in both in vitro and in vivo CF models.