Lipids are abundant and play essential roles in human health and disease. The main functions of lipids are building blocks for membrane biogenesis. However, lipids are also metabolized to produce signaling molecules. Here, we discuss the emerging roles of circulating lysophospholipids. These lysophospholipids consist of lysoglycerophospholipids and lysosphingolipids. They are both present in cells at low concentration, but their concentrations in extracellular fluids are significantly higher. The biological functions of some of these lysophospholipids have been recently revealed. Remarkably, some of the lysophospholipids play pivotal signaling roles as well as being precursors for membrane biogenesis. Revealing how circulating lysophospholipids are produced, released, transported, and utilized in multi-organ systems is critical to understand their functions. The discovery of enzymes, carriers, transporters, and membrane receptors for these lysophospholipids has shed light on their physiological significance. In this review, we summarize the biological roles of these lysophospholipids via discussing about the proteins regulating their functions. We also discuss about their potential impacts to human health and diseases.

脂质丰富，在人类健康和疾病中起着至关重要的作用。脂质的主要功能是膜生物发生的基石。然而，脂质也被代谢以产生信号分子。在这里，我们讨论了循环溶血磷脂的新兴作用。这些溶血磷脂由溶血甘油磷脂和溶血鞘脂组成。它们都以低浓度存在于细胞中，但它们在细胞外液中的浓度明显更高。最近已经揭示了其中一些溶血磷脂的生物学功能。值得注意的是，一些溶血磷脂起着关键的信号作用，同时也是膜生物发生的前体。揭示循环溶血磷脂是如何产生、释放、运输的，并在多器官系统中使用对于了解其功能至关重要。这些溶血磷脂的酶、载体、转运蛋白和膜受体的发现揭示了它们的生理意义。在这篇综述中，我们通过讨论调节其功能的蛋白质来总结这些溶血磷脂的生物学作用。我们还讨论了它们对人类健康和疾病的潜在影响。