LAUSR

The sphingosine analogue, FTY720 (GilenyaR), alleviates clinical disease progression in multiple sclerosis. Here, we variously assessed the effects of an azide analogue of (S)‐FTY720 vinylphosphonate (compound 5; a sphingosine kinase 1 activator), (R)‐FTY720 methyl ether (ROMe, a sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitor) and RB‐020 (a sphingosine kinase 1 inhibitor and sphingosine kinase 2 substrate) on IL‐1β formation, sphingosine 1‐phosphate levels and expression of S1P1 receptors. We also assessed the effect of compound 5 and ROMe in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model in mice.