TNF and atherosclerosis: In addition to being a key intermediary in complex glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, LacCer has been reported to play a specific role in several signalling pathways, such as those orchestrated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL), thus affecting inflammation and atherosclerosis (reviewed in [7]).