Macrophage recruitment to sites of inflammation is an essential step in host defense. However, the signals regulating the mobilization of these cells are still not fully understood. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a pleiotropic bioactive lipid mediator, is known to regulate an array of biological activities in various cell types. Here, we investigated the roles of SIP and SIP receptors (S1PRs) in macrophage migration in vitro. Furthermore, we explored the cross-talk between transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) and S1P signalling pathways in this process. We found that SW exerted a powerful migratory action on RAW264.7 macrophages, as determined in Boyden chambers. IV oreover, by employing RNA interference technology and pharmacological tools, we have demonstrated.:hat S1PR1, but not S1PR2 and S1PR3, is required for S1P-induced macrophage migration. Importantly, we observed a pronounced increase in sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1) mRNA expression and subsequently increase in SI P production, following transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) stimulation in RAW264.7 macrophages. The expression of S1PR1, but not S1PR2 and S1PR3, was also significantly up-regulated after TGF-beta 1 stimulation. Interestingly, exogenously added S1P-induced up-regulation of SphK1 and the synthesis of additional Si P, suggesting a self-amplifying loop of S1P to enhance macrophage migration. In conclusion, our results reveal that SphK1/S1PR1 signalling axis is induced by TGF-beta 1 and stimulates cell migration in RAW 264.7 macrophages. This study provides new clues for the molecular mechanisms of macrophage recruitment during inflammation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.