The riddle of the sphinx redux.

Understanding the mechanisms of glucocorticoid-mediated inhibition of inflammation has been challenging. This is particularly true with regard to the development of drugs that mimic the anti-inflammatory benefits of steroids while avoiding the untoward metabolic effects. Förster et al. report that the inhibition of stress-induced mesangial-cell apoptosis by dexamethasone is mediated by sphingosine-1-phosphate. These findings identify alternative pathways whereby the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of glucocorticoids can be probed.