GW4869是N-SMase（中性鞘磷脂酶）的细胞渗透性选择性抑制剂。GW4869通过非竞争方式充当抑制剂。N-SMases在产生鞘磷脂的神经酰胺和磷酸胆碱的代谢中很重要，它们在细胞信号传导和调节中很重要。研究表明，GW4869可以抑制MC7细胞中TNF-α激活N-SMase。这种抑制的结果是抑制了细胞死亡和生长抑制。尽管GW4869不会影响多形核中性粒细胞（PMN）的运动性，但它与甲酰基甲硫基亮氨酰苯基苯胺（FMLP）结合使用，因为它抑制了PMN向趋化因子的聚集。 GW4869 is a cell permeable, selective inhibitor of N-SMase (neutral sphingomyelinase). GW4869 functions as an inhibitor, via a non-competitve manner. N-SMases are important in the metabolism of sphingomyelin producing ceramide and phosphocholine, which are important in cell signaling and regulation. Studies indicate that GW4869 can inhibit the activation of N-SMase by TNF-α in MC7 cells. As a result of this inhibition cell death and growth suppression are inhibited. Although GW4869 does not effect polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) motility, it is useful with formylmethionylleucylphenylanaline (FMLP), since it inhibits PMN aggregation towards the chemotaxin.