SMPD1 and preeclampsia: In fact, several ceramide-synthesizing enzymes (e.g. acid sphingomyelinase and ceramide kinase) have been linked to trophoblast syncytialization process in vitro [13]; however, in regards to preeclampsia it was reported previously that trophoblast cultures from PE pregnancies have rather moderate increase in syncytialization when compared with normal pregnancies [38].