The acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors block interferon-α-induced serotonin uptake via a COX-2/Akt/ERK/STAT-dependent pathway in T cells

► Inhibiting SMase attenuates IFN-α-induced ERK and STAT activation. ► Inhibiting SMase blocks IFN-α-induced 5-HT uptake. ► Inhibiting acid SMase on IFN-α-induced 5-HT uptake is through COX-2/Akt dependent.