Role of ceramide in stimulation of the transcription of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase 2

Fumonisin distorts the cellular membrane lipid profile: A mechanistic insight

Monitoring modifications in membrane lipids in association with external stimuli/agents, including fumonisins (FUMs), is a widely employed approach to assess cellular metabolic response/status. FUMs are prevalent fusariotoxins worldwide that have diverse structures with varying toxicity across species; nevertheless, they can induce metabolic disturbances and disease, including cancer. The capacity of FUMs to disrupt membrane lipids, demonstrated across numerous species and organs/tissues, is ascribed to a multitude of factors/events, which range from direct to indirect effects. Certain events are well established, whereas the potential consequences of others remain speculative. The most notable effect is their resemblance to sphingoid bases, which impacts the synthesis of ceramides leading to numerous changes in lipids' composition that are not limited to sphingolipids' composition of the membranes. The next plausible scenario involves the induction of oxidative stress, which is considered an indirect/secondary effect of FUMs. Additional modes of action include modifications of enzyme activities and nuclear signals related to lipid metabolism, although these are likely not yet fully comprehended. This review provides in-depth insight into the current state of these events and their potential mechanistic actions in modifying membrane lipids, with a focus on long-chain fatty acids. This paper also presents a detailed description of the reported modifications to membrane lipids by FUMs.

Administration of an Acidic Sphingomyelinase (ASMase) Inhibitor, Imipramine, Reduces Hypoglycemia-Induced Hippocampal Neuronal Death

Severe hypoglycemia (below 35 mg/dL) appears most often in diabetes patients who continuously inject insulin. To rapidly cease the hypoglycemic state in this study, glucose reperfusion was conducted, which can induce a secondary neuronal death cascade following hypoglycemia. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) hydrolyzes sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine. ASMase activity can be influenced by cations, pH, redox, lipids, and other proteins in the cells, and there are many changes in these factors in hypoglycemia. Thus, we expect that ASMase is activated excessively after hypoglycemia. Ceramide is known to cause free radical production, excessive inflammation, calcium dysregulation, and lysosomal injury, resulting in apoptosis and the necrosis of neurons. Imipramine is mainly used in the treatment of depression and certain anxiety disorders, and it is particularly known as an ASMase inhibitor. We hypothesized that imipramine could decrease hippocampal neuronal death by reducing ceramide via the inhibition of ASMase after hypoglycemia. In the present study, we confirmed that the administration of imipramine significantly reduced hypoglycemia-induced neuronal death and improved cognitive function. Therefore, we suggest that imipramine may be a promising therapeutic tool for preventing hypoglycemia-induced neuronal death.

The Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate and Ceramide-1-Phosphate in Inflammation and Cancer

Inflammation is part of our body's response to tissue injury and pathogens. It helps to recruit various immune cells to the site of inflammation and activates the production of mediators to mobilize systemic protective processes. However, chronic inflammation can increase the risk of diseases like cancer. Apart from cytokines and chemokines, lipid mediators, particularly sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), contribute to inflammation and cancer. S1P is an important player in inflammation-associated colon cancer progression. On the other hand, C1P has been recognized to be involved in cancer cell growth, migration, survival, and inflammation. However, whether C1P is involved in inflammation-associated cancer is not yet established. In contrast, few studies have also suggested that S1P and C1P are involved in anti-inflammatory pathways regulated in certain cell types. Ceramide is the substrate for ceramide kinase (CERK) to yield C1P, and sphingosine is phosphorylated to S1P by sphingosine kinases (SphKs). Biological functions of sphingolipid metabolites have been studied extensively. Ceramide is associated with cell growth inhibition and enhancement of apoptosis while S1P and C1P are associated with enhancement of cell growth and survival. Altogether, S1P and C1P are important regulators of ceramide level and cell fate. This review focuses on S1P and C1P involvement in inflammation and cancer with emphasis on recent progress in the field.

Control of inflammatory responses by ceramide, sphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide 1-phosphate

Inflammation is a network of complex processes involving a variety of metabolic and signaling pathways aiming at healing and repairing damage tissue, or fighting infection. However, inflammation can be detrimental when it becomes out of control. Inflammatory mediators involve cytokines, bioactive lipids and lipid-derived metabolites. In particular, the simple sphingolipids ceramides, sphingosine 1-phosphate, and ceramide 1-phosphate have been widely implicated in inflammation. However, although ceramide 1-phosphate was first described as pro-inflammatory, recent studies show that it has anti-inflammatory properties when produced in specific cell types or tissues. The biological functions of ceramides and sphingosine 1-phosphate have been extensively studied. These sphingolipids have opposing effects with ceramides being potent inducers of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and sphingosine 1-phosphate promoting cell growth and survival. However, the biological actions of ceramide 1-phosphate have only been partially described. Ceramide 1-phosphate is mitogenic and anti-apoptotic, and more recently, it has been demonstrated to be key regulator of cell migration. Both sphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide 1-phosphate are also implicated in tumor growth and dissemination. The present review highlights new aspects on the control of inflammation and cell migration by simple sphingolipids, with special emphasis to the role played by ceramide 1-phosphate in controlling these actions.

Signaling network of lipids as a comprehensive scaffold for omics data integration in sputum of COPD patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous and progressive inflammatory condition that has been linked to the dysregulation of many metabolic pathways including lipid biosynthesis. How lipid metabolism could affect disease progression in smokers with COPD remains unclear. We cross-examined the transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics data available on the public domain to elucidate the mechanisms by which lipid metabolism is perturbed in COPD. We reconstructed a sputum lipid COPD (SpLiCO) signaling network utilizing active/inactive, and functional/dysfunctional lipid-mediated signaling pathways to explore how lipid-metabolism could promote COPD pathogenesis in smokers. SpLiCO was further utilized to investigate signal amplifiers, distributers, propagators, feed-forward and/or -back loops that link COPD disease severity and hypoxia to disruption in the metabolism of sphingolipids, fatty acids and energy. Also, hypergraph analysis and calculations for dependency of molecules identified several important nodes in the network with modular regulatory and signal distribution activities. Our systems-based analyses indicate that arachidonic acid is a critical and early signal distributer that is upregulated by the sphingolipid signaling pathway in COPD, while hypoxia plays a critical role in the elevated dependency to glucose as a major energy source. Integration of SpLiCo and clinical data shows a strong association between hypoxia and the upregulation of sphingolipids in smokers with emphysema, vascular disease, hypertension and those with increased risk of lung cancer.

Regulation of ceramide channel formation and disassembly: Insights on the initiation of apoptosis

Sphingolipid research has surged in the past two decades and has produced a wide variety of evidence supporting the role of this class of molecules in mediating cellular growth, differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis. Ceramides are a subgroup of sphingolipids (SLs) that are directly involved in the process of initiation of apoptosis. We, and others, have recently shown that ceramides are capable of the formation of protein-permeable channels in mitochondrial outer membranes under physiological conditions. These pores are indeed good candidates for the pathway of release of pro-apoptotic proteins from the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS) into the cytosol to initiate intrinsic apoptosis. Here, we review recent findings on the regulation of ceramide channel formation and disassembly, highlighting possible implications on the initiation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

Intraplantar-injected ceramide in rats induces hyperalgesia through an NF-κB- and p38 kinase-dependent cyclooxygenase 2/prostaglandin E2 pathway

Inflammatory pain represents an important unmet clinical need with important socioeconomic implications. Ceramide, a potent proinflammatory sphingolipid, has been shown to elicit mechanical hyperalgesia, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. We now demonstrate that, in addition to mechanical hyperalgesia, intraplantar injection of ceramide (10 μg) led to the development of thermal hyperalgesia that was dependent on induction of the inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and subsequent increase of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). The development of mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and increased production of PGE(2) was blocked by NS-398 (15-150 ng), a selective COX-2 inhibitor. The importance of the COX-2 to PGE(2) pathway in ceramide signaling was underscored by the findings that intraplantar injection of a monoclonal PGE(2) antibody (4 μg) blocked the development of hyperalgesia. Our results further revealed that COX-2 induction is regulated by NF-κB and p38 kinase activation, since intraplantar injection of SC-514 (0.1-1 μg) or SB 203580 (1-10 μg), well-characterized inhibitors of NF-κB and p38 kinase activation, respectively, blocked COX-2 induction and increased formation of PGE(2) and thermal hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, activation of NF-κB was dependent on upstream activation of p38 MAPK, since SB 203580 (10 μg) blocked p65 phosphorylation, whereas p38 kinase phosphorylation was unaffected by NF-κB inhibition by SC-514 (1 μg). Our findings not only provide mechanistic insight into the signaling pathways engaged by ceramide in the development of hyperalgesia, but also provide a potential pharmacological basis for developing inhibitors targeting the ceramide metabolic-to-COX-2 pathway as novel analgesics.

Genetic sphingosine kinase 1 deficiency significantly decreases synovial inflammation and joint erosions in murine TNF-alpha-induced arthritis

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is an enzyme that converts sphingosine to bioactive sphingosine-1-phosphate. Recent in vitro data suggest a potential role of SphK1 in TNF-alpha-mediated inflammation. Our aims in this study were to determine the in vivo significance of SphK1 in TNF-alpha-mediated chronic inflammation and to define which pathogenic mechanisms induced by TNF-alpha are SphK1 dependent. To pursue these aims, we studied the effect of SphK1 deficiency in an in vivo model of TNF-alpha-induced chronic inflammatory arthritis. Transgenic hTNF-alpha mice, which develop spontaneous inflammatory erosive arthritis beginning at 14-16 wk, were crossed with SphK1 null mice (SphK1(-/-)), on the C57BL6 genetic background. Beginning at 4 mo of age, hTNF/SphK1(-/-) mice had significantly less severe clinically evident paw swelling and deformity, less synovial and periarticular inflammation, and markedly decreased bone erosions as measured quantitatively through micro-CT images. Mechanistically, the mice lacking SphK1 had less articular cyclooxygenase 2 protein and fewer synovial Th17 cells than did hTNF/SphK1(+/+) littermates. Microarray analysis and real-time RT-PCR of the ankle synovial tissue demonstrated that hTNF/SphK1(-/-) mice had increased transcript levels of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 compared with hTNF/SphK1(+/+) mice, likely also contributing to the decreased inflammation in the SphK1-deficient mice. Finally, significantly fewer mature osteoclasts were detected in the ankle joints of hTNF/SphK1(-/-) mice compared with hTNF/SphK1(+/+) mice. These data indicate that SphK1 plays a key role in hTNF-alpha-induced inflammatory arthritis via impacting synovial inflammation and osteoclast number.

Control of metabolism and signaling of simple bioactive sphingolipids: Implications in disease

Simple bioactive sphingolipids include ceramide, sphingosine and their phosphorylated forms sphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide 1-phosphate. These molecules are crucial regulators of cell functions. In particular, they play important roles in the regulation of angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and inflammation. Decoding the mechanisms by which these cellular functions are regulated requires detailed understanding of the signaling pathways that are implicated in these processes. Most importantly, the development of inhibitors of the enzymes involved in their metabolism may be crucial for establishing new therapeutic strategies for treatment of disease.

Sphingolipids and the orchestration of endothelium-derived vasoactive factors: when endothelial function demands greasing

Vasomotor tone is regulated by a complex interplay of a variety of extrinsic neurohumoral and intrinsic factors. It is the endothelium that has a major influence on smooth muscle cell tone via the release of intrinsic vasoactive factors and is therefore an important regulator of vasomotor tone. Sphingolipids are an emerging class of lipid mediators with important physiological properties. In the last two decades it has not only become increasingly clear that sphingolipid signaling plays a pivotal role in immune function, but also its role in the vascular system is now becoming more recognized. In this mini-review we will highlight the possible cross-talk between sphingolipids and intrinsic vasoactive factors released by the endothelium. Via this cross-talk sphingolipids can orchestrate vasomotor tone and may therefore also be involved in the pathophysiology of disease states associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Ceramide and ceramide 1-phosphate in health and disease

Sphingolipids are essential components of cell membranes, and many of them regulate vital cell functions. In particular, ceramide plays crucial roles in cell signaling processes. Two major actions of ceramides are the promotion of cell cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis. Phosphorylation of ceramide produces ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), which has opposite effects to ceramide. C1P is mitogenic and has prosurvival properties. In addition, C1P is an important mediator of inflammatory responses, an action that takes place through stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, and the subsequent release of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin formation. All of the former actions are thought to be mediated by intracellularly generated C1P. However, the recent observation that C1P stimulates macrophage chemotaxis implicates specific plasma membrane receptors that are coupled to Gi proteins. Hence, it can be concluded that C1P has dual actions in cells, as it can act as an intracellular second messenger to promote cell survival, or as an extracellular receptor agonist to stimulate cell migration.

Ceramide elevates 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid levels and upregulates 12-lipoxygenase in rat primary hippocampal cell cultures containing predominantly astrocytes

We report, exogenous addition of ceramide significantly increases 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12-(S)-HETE] levels, in a dose-dependent manner. 12-(S)-HETE levels, in 20, 30 and 40microM ceramide exposed rat primary hippocampal cell cultures containing predominantly astrocytes and few neurons and other glial cells (the cultured hippocampal cells were predominantly astrocytes amounting to over 99% of total cells with few neurons and other glial cells) amounted to 207, 260 and 408% of the controls, respectively. However, dihydroceramide, an inactive analog of ceramide did not alter the levels of 12-(S)-HETE. Ceramide also increased the mRNA and protein expression, and activity of 12-lipoxygease (12-LOX) needed for the synthesis of 12(S)-HETE. These results indicate a possible link between ceramide and 12-LOX pathway. However, ceramide did not alter expression of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), another member of the lipoxygenase family. However, ceramide upregulated expression of cytosolic phospholipase-A(2) (cPLA(2)) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Further, ceramide caused a significant increase in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ceramide-mediated generation of ROS was inhibited by baicalien but not by indomethacin. In addition, ceramide treated cells exhibited increased mRNA expression of DNA damage induced transcript3 (Ddit3). This report which demonstrate induction of pro-carcinogenic 12-LOX pathway by an anticancer ceramide, may be relevant to cancer biologists studying drug resistant tumors and devising potent anticancer therapeutic strategies to treat drug resistant tumors. These results indicate possibility of 12-LOX involvement in ceramide-mediated generation of ROS and cellular oxidative stress. Induction of 12-LOX pathway by ceramide may have implications in understanding pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases involving ROS generation and inflammation.

Suppression of ulcerative colitis in mice by orally available inhibitors of sphingosine kinase

A critical step in the mechanism of action of inflammatory cytokines is the stimulation of sphingolipid metabolism, including activation of sphingosine kinase (SK), which produces the mitogenic and proinflammatory lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). We have developed orally bioavailable compounds that effectively inhibit SK activity in vitro in intact cells and in cancer models in vivo. In this study, we assessed the effects of these SK inhibitors on cellular responses to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and evaluated their efficacy in the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of ulcerative colitis in mice. Using several cell systems, it was shown that the SK inhibitors block the ability of TNFalpha to activate nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB), induce expression of adhesion proteins, and promote production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). In an acute model of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis, SK inhibitors were equivalent to or more effective than Dipentum in reducing disease progression, colon shortening, and neutrophil infiltration into the colon. The effects of SK inhibitors were associated with decreased colonic levels of inflammatory cytokines TNFalpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, interferon gamma (IFN)-gamma, IL-6, and reduction of S1P levels. A similar reduction in disease progression was provided by SK inhibitors in a chronic model of ulcerative colitis in which the mice received 3-week-long cycles of DSS interspaced with week-long recovery periods. In the chronic model, immunohistochemistry for SK showed increased expression in DSS-treated mice (compared with water-treated controls) that was reduced by drug treatment. S1P levels were also elevated in the DSS group and significantly reduced by drug treatment. Together, these data indicate that SK is a critical component in inflammation and that inhibitors of this enzyme may be useful in treating inflammatory bowel diseases.

Interactions between neural membrane glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid mediators: A recipe for neural cell survival or suicide

The neural membranes contain phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol, and proteins. Glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids are precursors for lipid mediators involved in signal transduction processes. Degradation of glycerophospholipids by phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) generates arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA). Arachidonic acid is metabolized to eicosanoids and DHA is metabolized to docosanoids. The catabolism of glycosphingolipids generates ceramide, ceramide 1-phosphate, sphingosine, and sphingosine 1-phosphate. These metabolites modulate PLA(2) activity. Arachidonic acid, a product derived from glycerophospholipid catabolism by PLA(2), modulates sphingomyelinase (SMase), the enzyme that generates ceramide and phosphocholine. Furthermore, sphingosine 1-phosphate modulates cyclooxygenase, an enzyme responsible for eicosanoid production in brain. This suggests that an interplay and cross talk occurs between lipid mediators of glycerophospholipid and glycosphingolipid metabolism in brain tissue. This interplay between metabolites of glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism may play an important role in initiation and maintenance of oxidative stress associated with neurologic disorders as well as in neural cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recent studies indicate that PLA(2) and SMase inhibitors can be used as neuroprotective and anti-apoptotic agents. Development of novel inhibitors of PLA(2) and SMase may be useful for the treatment of oxidative stress, and apoptosis associated with neurologic disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and head and spinal cord injuries.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes carrying a pattern recognition protein Tag7 can detect evasive, HLA-negative but Hsp70-exposing tumor cells, thereby ensuring FasL/Fas-mediated contact killing

Within the broad problem of host immune surveillance versus tumor immune evasion, a most intriguing question is how the cellular immunity can cope with cancerous cells that have gotten rid of the classical antigen-presenting machinery. One such option stems from (1) the fact that HLA loss is often attended with expression of Hsp70 on the tumor cell surface, and (2) our findings that human lymphocytes express a protein Tag7 (also known as PGRP-S) capable of tight and specific interaction with cognate Hsp70. Here we show that a subpopulation of human CD4(+)CD25(+) lymphocytes, obtained either in culture as lymphokine-activated killers or directly from healthy donors, carry Tag7 and FasL on their surface and can indeed kill the HLA-negative tumor-derived cells K562 and MOLT-4 that expose Hsp70 and Fas. The primary binding of lymphocyte Tag7 to target-cell Hsp70 is very specific (eg, it is blocked by preincubating either cell with minimal peptides from the "partner" protein), and secures cell contact indispensable for subsequent FasL/Fas-triggered apoptosis. Unrelated to natural killer cell action or the putative role of Hsp as an antigen-presenting substitute, this novel mechanism is rather a backup analog of orthodox (CD8(+)) target recognition (Tag7 acting as built-in T-cell receptor and Hsp70 itself as ligand).

Ceramide 1-phosphate/ceramide, a switch between life and death

Ceramide is a well-characterized sphingolipid metabolite and second messenger that participates in numerous biological processes. In addition to serving as a precursor to complex sphingolipids, ceramide is a potent signaling molecule capable of regulating vital cellular functions. Perhaps its major role in signal transduction is to induce cell cycle arrest, and promote apoptosis. In contrast, little is known about the metabolic or signaling pathways that are regulated by the phosphorylated form of ceramide. It was first demonstrated that ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) had mitogenic properties, and more recently it has been described as potent inhibitor of apoptosis and inducer of cell survival. C1P and ceramide are antagonistic molecules that can be interconverted in cells by kinase and phosphatase activities. An appropriate balance between the levels of these two metabolites seems to be crucial for cell and tissue homeostasis. Switching this balance towards accumulation of one or the other may result in metabolic dysfunction, or disease. Therefore, the activity of the enzymes that are involved in C1P and ceramide metabolism must be efficiently coordinated to ensure normal cell functioning.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate/sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 signaling in rheumatoid synovium: regulation of synovial proliferation and inflammatory gene expression

OBJECTIVE

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is involved in various pathologic conditions and has been implicated as an important mediator of angiogenesis, inflammation, cancer, and autoimmunity. This study was undertaken to examine the role of S1P/S1P1 signaling in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODS

We examined S1P1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in RA synoviocytes and MH7A cells by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. We also performed S1P1 immunohistochemistry analysis in synovial tissue from 28 RA patients and 18 osteoarthritis (OA) patients. We investigated the effects of S1P on proliferation by WST-1 assay, and its effects on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)- or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in RA synoviocytes and MH7A cells by Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Finally, we examined whether these effects of S1P were sensitive to pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of the Gi/Go proteins.

RESULTS

S1P1 mRNA and protein were detected in RA synoviocytes and MH7A cells. S1P1 was more strongly expressed in synovial lining cells, vascular endothelial cells, and inflammatory mononuclear cells of RA synovium compared with OA synovium. S1P increased the proliferation of RA synoviocytes and MH7A cells. S1P alone significantly enhanced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production. Moreover, S1P enhanced expression of COX-2 and production of PGE2 induced by stimulation with TNFalpha or IL-1beta in RA synoviocytes and MH7A cells. These effects of S1P were inhibited by pretreatment with PTX.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that S1P signaling via S1P receptors plays an important role in cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine-induced COX-2 expression and PGE2 production by RA synoviocytes. Thus, regulation of S1P/S1P1 signaling may represent a novel therapeutic target in RA.

Substrate specificity of human ceramide kinase

Previous studies in our laboratory have established ceramide kinase (CERK) as a critical mediator of eicosanoid synthesis. To date, CERK has not been well characterized in vitro. In this study, we investigated the substrate specificity of CERK using baculovirus-expressed human CERK (6 x His) and a newly designed assay based on mixed micelles of Triton X-100. The results indicate that the ability of CERK to recognize ceramide as a substrate is stereospecific. A minimum of a 12 carbon acyl chain was required for normal CERK activity, and the 4-5 trans double bond was important for substrate recognition. A significant discrimination by CERK was not observed between ceramides with long saturated and long unsaturated fatty acyl chains. Methylation of the primary hydroxyl group resulted in a loss of activity, confirming that CERK produces ceramide-1-phosphate versus ceramide-3-phosphate. In addition, methylation of the secondary hydroxyl group drastically decreased the phosphorylation by CERK. These results also indicated that the free hydrogen of the secondary amide group is critical for substrate recognition. Lastly, the sphingoid chain was also required for substrate recognition by CERK. Together, these results indicate a very high specificity for substrate recognition by CERK, explaining the use of ceramide and not sphingosine or diacylglycerol as substrates.

Phospholipase A2 inhibitors in development

To date, three isoforms of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) have been identified. Of these, the two Ca2+-dependent isoforms, secretory (sPLA2) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), are targets for new anti-inflammatory drugs. The catalytic mechanisms and functions of the third isoform, Ca2+-independent cytosolic phospholipase A2 (iPLA2), are unknown at present. sPLA2 and cPLA2 are both implicated in the release of arachidonic acid and prophlogistic lipid mediators. However, recent findings provide evidence that cPLA2 is the dominant isoform in various kinds of inflammation, such as T-cell-mediated experimental arthritis. A triple function of PLA2-derived lipid mediators has been suggested: causing immediate inflammatory signs, involvement in secondary processes, e.g., superoxide free radical (O2) generation, apoptosis, or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-cytotoxicity, and controlling the expression and activation of pivotal proteins implicated in inflammation and cell development, e.g., cytokines, adhesion proteins, proteinases, NF-kappaB, fos/jun/AP-1, c-Myc, or p21ras. In the past, research predominantly focused on the development of sPLA2 inhibitors; however, present techniques enable discrimination of cPLA2, sPLA2, and iPLA2, and specific inhibitors of each of the three isoforms are likely to appear soon. Over the last decade, between 40 and 50 sPLA2 inhibitors have been described; and the list is growing. However, of these, few have the potential for clinical success, and those that do are predominantly active site-directed inhibitors, e.g., BMS-181162, LY311727, ARL-67974, FPL67047, SB-203347, Ro-23-9358, YM-26734, and IS-741. At present, there are no likely clinical candidates emerging from the ranks of cPLA2 and iPLA2 inhibitors in development. Indications for which PLA2 inhibitors are being pursued include, sepsis, acute pancreatitis, inflammatory skin and bowel diseases, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. The three main obstacles to the successful development of PLA2 inhibitors include, insufficient oral bioavailability, low affinity for the enzyme corresponding to low in vivo efficacy and insufficient selectivity.

The role of sphingosine and ceramide kinases in inflammatory responses

The 1-phosphates of sphingosine and ceramide (S1P and C1P) have emerged as key representatives of a new group of lipid signalling molecules. S1P is known to act both as an extracellular mediator and as an intracellular 'second messenger,' while C1P currently is only known for its intracellular actions. Therefore, sphingosine and ceramide kinases, the enzymes involved in the generation of these lipid mediators, are now in the spotlight. This review summarizes current information on structure, localization, substrate specificity, activation, and binding partners of these kinases, and then focuses on discoveries in relation to immune cell regulation and inflammation, addressing in particular mast cell activation and degranulation, IL-12 signalling, prostaglandin biosynthesis, monocyte activation, and neutrophil priming.

The role of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in health and disease of the retina

In this work we advance the hypothesis that omega-3 (omega-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) exhibit cytoprotective and cytotherapeutic actions contributing to a number of anti-angiogenic and neuroprotective mechanisms within the retina. omega-3 LCPUFAs may modulate metabolic processes and attenuate effects of environmental exposures that activate molecules implicated in pathogenesis of vasoproliferative and neurodegenerative retinal diseases. These processes and exposures include ischemia, chronic light exposure, oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular signaling mechanisms, and aging. A number of bioactive molecules within the retina affect, and are effected by such conditions. These molecules operate within complex systems and include compounds classified as eicosanoids, angiogenic factors, matrix metalloproteinases, reactive oxygen species, cyclic nucleotides, neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines, and inflammatory phospholipids. We discuss the relationship of LCPUFAs with these bioactivators and bioactive compounds in the context of three blinding retinal diseases of public health significance that exhibit both vascular and neural pathology. How is omega-3 LCPUFA status related to retinal structure and function? Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a major dietary omega-3 LCPUFA, is also a major structural lipid of retinal photoreceptor outer segment membranes. Biophysical and biochemical properties of DHA may affect photoreceptor membrane function by altering permeability, fluidity, thickness, and lipid phase properties. Tissue DHA status affects retinal cell signaling mechanisms involved in phototransduction. DHA may operate in signaling cascades to enhance activation of membrane-bound retinal proteins and may also be involved in rhodopsin regeneration. Tissue DHA insufficiency is associated with alterations in retinal function. Visual processing deficits have been ameliorated with DHA supplementation in some cases. What evidence exists to suggest that LCPUFAs modulate factors and processes implicated in diseases of the vascular and neural retina? Tissue status of LCPUFAs is modifiable by and dependent upon dietary intake. Certain LCPUFAs are selectively accreted and efficiently conserved within the neural retina. On the most basic level, omega-3 LCPUFAs influence retinal cell gene expression, cellular differentiation, and cellular survival. DHA activates a number of nuclear hormone receptors that operate as transcription factors for molecules that modulate reduction-oxidation-sensitive and proinflammatory genes; these include the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) and the retinoid X receptor. In the case of PPAR-alpha, this action is thought to prevent endothelial cell dysfunction and vascular remodeling through inhibition of: vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, inducible nitric oxide synthase production, interleukin-1 induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 production, and thrombin-induced endothelin 1 production. Research on model systems demonstrates that omega-3 LCPUFAs also have the capacity to affect production and activation of angiogenic growth factors, arachidonic acid (AA)-based vasoregulatory eicosanoids, and MMPs. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a substrate for DHA, is the parent fatty acid for a family of eicosanoids that have the potential to affect AA-derived eicosanoids implicated in abnormal retinal neovascularization, vascular permeability, and inflammation. EPA depresses vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific tyrosine kinase receptor activation and expression. VEGF plays an essential role in induction of: endothelial cell migration and proliferation, microvascular permeability, endothelial cell release of metalloproteinases and interstitial collagenases, and endothelial cell tube formation. The mechanism of VEGF receptor down-regulation is believed to occur at the tyrosine kinase nuclear factor-kappa B (NFkappaB). NFkappaB is a nuclear transcription factor that up-regulates COX-2 expression, intracellular adhesion molecule, thrombin, and nitric oxide synthase. All four factors are associated with vascular instability. COX-2 drives conversion of AA to a number angiogenic and proinflammatory eicosanoids. Our general conclusion is that there is consistent evidence to suggest that omega-3 LCPUFAs may act in a protective role against ischemia-, light-, oxygen-, inflammatory-, and age-associated pathology of the vascular and neural retina.

Acid sphingomyelinase in macrophage apoptosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article presents an overview of the recent progress in understanding metabolic and functional interrelationships of biologically active sphingolipids related to the sphingomyelin signal transduction pathway in relation to the regulation of apoptosis in macrophages.

RECENT FINDINGS

Ceramide generation is an essential, early step in apoptosis in numerous systems. There are several mechanisms for ceramide generation, including activation of plasma membrane, lysosomal, nuclear, and mitochondrial sphingomyelinases, and induction of de-novo synthesis of ceramide. Some of the proapoptotic actions of ceramide are to facilitate assembly of death receptor complexes in the plasma membrane, to prevent the activation of protein kinase B/Akt, and to promote the activation of caspase 3. Failure of macrophages in developing atherosclerotic plaques to undergo apoptosis is a possible contributor to plaque expansion. At low concentrations, oxidized LDL has been shown to prevent apoptosis induced by growth factor withdrawal in cultured bone marrow-derived macrophages, in part by inhibiting sphingomyelinase and preventing generation of ceramide. At high concentrations, however, oxidized LDL can induce apoptosis or necrosis of macrophages.

SUMMARY

Sphingolipid signal transduction pathways play an important role in the regulation of growth and survival pathways in macrophages. These are directly relevant to the pathogenesis of a variety of chronic inflammatory disorders, including atherosclerosis.

Ceramide-induced enhancement of secretory phospholipase A2 expression via generation of reactive oxygen species in tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated mesangial cells

Since prostanoids such as prostaglandin E2 play a pivotal role in modulating renal function, we investigated the involvement of ceramide in expression of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-stimulated mesangial cells. TNF-alpha stimulation increased ceramide generation in parallel with a decrease in sphingomyelin. Pretreatment with exogenous sphingomyelinase (SMase) dose-dependently enhanced TNF-alpha-stimulated increases in COX-2 protein and sPLA) activity. SMase also augmented TNF-alpha-mediated nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant, completely inhibited the SMase-induced increase in sPLA2 activity, whereas NAC inhibited partially the activity stimulated with TNF-alpha alone. Under the conditions, NAC completely inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induced by SMase followed by TNF-alpha. These results suggest that ceramide elicits up-regulation of NF-kappaB through ROS production, which, in turn, leads to stimulation of COX-2 and sPLA2 expression. Therefore, ceramide may be implicated in the pathogenesis of renal abnormalities.

Ceramide-1-phosphate: a novel regulator of cell activation

Ceramide-1-phosphate (CER-1-P) is emerging as a novel bioactive sphingolipid. It is formed by phosphorylation of ceramide catalyzed by ceramide kinase, and has been implicated in different cellular processes. Cer-1-P is mitogenic for fibroblasts, blocks apoptosis in macrophages, controls phagocytosis in neutrophils, and mediates inflammatory responses. Only recently have we started to uncover the signaling pathways that cytosolic phospholipase A2 and acid sphingomyelinase are direct intracellular targets of Cer-1-P, and that it may also induce phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 and calcium mobilization. These actions of Cer-1-P seem to be cell type-specific.

Cycloserine and threo-dihydrosphingosine inhibit TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity: evidence for the importance of de novo ceramide synthesis in TNF-alpha signaling

Measuring the cell death induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) in L929 cells, we discovered for the first time that L-cycloserine, an established inhibitor of serine palmitoyltransferase, as well as DL-threo-dihydrosphingosine (threo-DHS, threo-sphinganine) significantly protected against TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity. Under the same conditions sphingosine and DL-erythro-dihydrosphingosine (erythro-DHS) did not change TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity, thus underlining the specificity of threo-DHS. In serine-labeled cells, newly (de novo) synthetized labeled ceramide was significantly diminished by threo-DHS alone or together with TNF-alpha, which makes the (dihydro) ceramide synthase the likely target of threo-DHS. These results suggest the decisive role of ceramide de novo synthesis in TNF signaling.

Peptidoglycan recognition protein tag7 forms a cytotoxic complex with heat shock protein 70 in solution and in lymphocytes

The peptidoglycan recognition protein Tag7 is shown to form a stable 1:1 complex with the major stress protein Hsp70. Neither protein is cytotoxic by itself, but their complex induces apoptotic death in several tumor-derived cell lines even at subnanomolar concentrations. The minimal part of Hsp70 needed to evoke cytotoxicity is residues 450-463 of its peptide-binding domain, but full cytotoxicity requires its ATPase activity; remarkably, Tag7 liberated from the complex at high ATP is not cytotoxic. The Tag7-Hsp70 complex is produced by tag7-transfected cells and by lymphokine-activated killers, being assembled within the cell and released into the medium through the Golgi apparatus by a mechanism different from the commonly known granule exocytosis. Thus, we demonstrate how a heat shock protein may perform functions clearly distinct from chaperoning or cell rescue and how peptidoglycan recognition proteins may be involved in innate immunity and anti-cancer defense.

TRAIL and Ceramide

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a clinically useful cytokine. TRAIL induces apoptosis in a wide variety of transformed cells, but does not cause toxicity to most normal cells. Recent studies show that death receptors (DR4 and DR5), decoy receptors (DcR1 and DcR2), and death inhibitors (FLIP, FAP-1, and IAP) are responsible for the differential sensitivity to TRAIL of normal and tumor cells. Several researchers have also shown that genotoxic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents and ionizing radiation, enhance TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity by increasing DR5 gene expression or decreasing the intracellular level of FLIP, an antiapoptotic protein. Previous studies have shown that ceramide helps to regulate a cell's response to various forms of stress. Stress-induced alterations in the intracellular concentration of ceramide occur through the activation of a variety of enzymes that synthesize or catabolize ceramide. Increases in intracellular ceramide levels modulate apoptosis by acting through key proteases, phosphatases, and kinases. This review discusses the interaction between TRAIL and ceramide signaling pathways in regulating apoptotic death.

The sphingosine kinase 1/sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway mediates COX-2 induction and PGE2 production in response to TNF-alpha

In this study we addressed the role of sphingolipid metabolism in the inflammatory response. In a L929 fibroblast model, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by 4 h and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induction as early as 2 h. This TNF-induced PGE2 production was inhibited by NS398, a COX-2 selective inhibitor. GC-MS analysis revealed that only COX-2-generated prostanoids were produced in response to TNF, thus providing further evidence of COX-2 selectivity. As sphingolipids have been implicated in mediating several actions of TNF, their role in COX-2 induction and PGE2 production was evaluated. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) induced both COX-2 and PGE2 in a dose-responsive manner with an apparent ED50 of 100-300 nM. The related sphingolipid sphingosine also induced PGE2, though with much less efficacy. TNF induced a 3.5-fold increase in sphingosine-1-phosphate levels at 10 min that rapidly returned to baseline by 40 min. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) directed against mouse SK1 decreased (typically by 80%) SK1 protein and inhibited TNF-induced SK activity. Treatment of cells with RNAi to SK1 but not SK2 almost completely abolished the ability of TNF to induce COX-2 or generate PGE2. By contrast, cells treated with RNAi to S1P lyase or S1P phosphatase enhanced COX-2 induction leading to enhanced generation of PGE2. Treatment with SK1 RNAi also abolished the effects of exogenous sphingosine and ceramide on PGE2, revealing that the action of sphingosine and ceramide are due to intracellular metabolism into S1P. Collectively, these results provide novel evidence that SK1 and S1P are necessary for TNF to induce COX-2 and PGE2 production. Based on these findings, this study indicates that SK1 and S1P could be implicated in pathological inflammatory disorders and cancer.

Cyclosporin A ameliorates mitochondrial ultrastructural injury in the ileum during acute endotoxemia

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to determine the role, if any, of the mitochondrial permeability transition in the pathogenesis of mitochondrial injury in a representative systemic organ during the acute phase of endotoxemia.

DESIGN

A well-established, normotensive feline model was employed to determine whether pretreatment with cyclosporin A, a potent inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition, reduces the severity of mitochondrial injury in the ileum during acute endotoxemia.

SETTING

The Ohio State University Medical Center research laboratory. SUBJECTS Adult, male conditioned cats.

INTERVENTIONS

Volume resuscitation and maintenance of acid/base balance and tissue oxygen availability were provided, as needed, to minimize the potentially confounding effects of tissue hypoxia and/or acidosis on the experimental results. Following isotonic saline vehicle (control; n = 6), lipopolysaccharide (3.0 mg/kg, intravenously; n = 10), or cyclosporin A (6 mg/kg, intravenously; n = 7) followed in 60 mins by lipopolysaccharide (3.0 mg/kg, intravenously) administration, ileal samples were obtained at 4 hrs posttreatment, and mitochondrial ultrastructure was assessed. Objective comparisons of mitochondrial ultrastructural morphology were performed by using digital image analyses.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

As expected, significant mitochondrial injury was apparent in the ileal tissues by 4 hrs following LPS treatment, despite maintenance of regional tissue oxygen availability. Objective evaluation of mitochondrial morphology demonstrated characteristics consistent with high-amplitude swelling. Cyclosporin A pretreatment protected against the development of these LPS-induced mitochondrial ultrastructural abnormalities, an effect not attributable to the suppression of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production.

CONCLUSIONS

These investigations are the first to demonstrate a protective effect of cyclosporin A against mitochondrial injury in a representative systemic organ during acute endotoxemia. We propose that mitochondrial injury likely related to induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition may participate in the pathogenesis of systemic organ injury and organ failures during acute sepsis.

Insight into some of the signaling pathways triggered by a lipid immunomodulator

The use of non specific immunomodulatory agents takes an important place in the aspecific host response to invading microorganisms. In this context, antimicrobial properties of royal jelly have been ascribed to organic acids (mainly 10 hydroxy-2-decenoic acid or 10-HDA) and proteins. We synthesized a derivative of 10-HDA, the 1-(2-methoxyethoxymethyl)2,3-(10-hydroxy2-decenoyl)(E) glycerol referred as diHDA-glycerol which was previously found to protect mice against virulent Salmonella typhimurium challenge through more adequate immune regulations. This study was conducted to further investigate some of the signaling pathways followed by diHDA-glycerol in cell transduction. Members of NF-kappaB transcription factors are key regulators of many cytokines acting on immunity and they control genes involved in responses to numerous signals such as bacterial products. Therefore, we investigated some parameters acting on NF-kappaB translocation in U937 cells after diHDA-glycerol treatment. Due to the chemical structure of the molecule we also investigated the sphingomyelinase pathway. Our results showed that diHDA-glycerol induced a rapid NF-kappaB translocation as a consequence of IkappaB-alpha proteolysis. An intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may also account for NF-kappaB activation, without de novo protein synthesis. DiHDA-glycerol induced a strong activation of neutral sphingomyelinase, suggesting an important role of sphingolipids in the regulatory responses induced by diHDA-glycerol.

Ceramide mediates age-associated increase in macrophage cyclooxygenase-2 expression

Previously, we showed that macrophages (MØ) from old mice have significantly higher levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production than young mice, due to increased cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA levels. The aim of the current study was to determine the underlying mechanisms of age-associated increase in COX-2 gene expression. The results demonstrate that increased COX-2 mRNA expression in the old mice is due to a higher rate of transcription rather than increased stability of COX-2 mRNA. Furthermore, the results show that LPS-induced ceramide levels from the old mice are significantly higher than those of young mice, whereas there is no age-related difference in concentration of its down stream metabolite, sphingosine. The addition of ceramide in the presence or absence of LPS resulted in a significant increase in PGE(2) production in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Inhibition of ceramide conversion to sphingosine had no effect on this ceramide-induced effect. The ceramide-induced up-regulation in PGE(2) production was mediated through increase in COX activity and transcriptional up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA. Collectively, these data suggest that the age-associated increase in MØ COX-2 mRNA is due to transcriptional up-regulation. Furthermore, this increase in transcription is mediated by higher cellular ceramide concentration in old MØ compared with that of young MØ.

IL-1 stimulates ceramide accumulation without inducing apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cytokine levels (such as interleukin-1 (IL-1)) are elevated. We have shown previously that IL-1 activates phospholipid signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells (EEC), leading to increased ceramide levels.

AIM

To determine whether ceramide induces apoptosis in IEC.

METHODS

Apoptosis was evaluated by annexin-V binding or Hoechst nuclear staining. Levels of bcl-2, bcl-x, bax, p53 and p21 were determined by Western blotting, and celi cycle analysis was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

IL-1 increased ceramide accumulation in a time-dependent and concentration-dependent manner with a peak response at 4 h, with [IL-1] = 30 ng/ml. Neither IL-1 nor ceramide induced apoptosis in EEC, but they increased bcl-2 levels and decreased bax and p21 levels without affecting bcl-x and p53 levels. They also caused a slight but significant increase in the G2/M phase. These data suggest a role for ceramide in IBD and suggest a possible mechanism for the enhanced tumorigenic activity in IBD patients.

Identification of genes involved in ceramide-dependent neuronal apoptosis using cDNA arrays

BACKGROUND

Ceramide is important in many cell responses, such as proliferation, differentiation, growth arrest and apoptosis. Elevated ceramide levels have been shown to induce apoptosis in primary neuronal cultures and neuronally differentiated PC 12 cells.

RESULTS

To investigate gene expression during ceramide-dependent apoptosis, we carried out a global study of gene expression in neuronally differentiated PC 12 cells treated with C2-ceramide using an array of 9,120 cDNA clones. Although the criteria adopted for differential hybridization were stringent, modulation of expression of 239 genes was identified during the effector phase of C2-ceramide-induced cell death. We have made an attempt at classifying these genes on the basis of their putative functions, first with respect to known effects of ceramide or ceramide-mediated transduction systems, and then with respect to regulation of cell growth and apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our cell-culture model has enabled us to establish a profile of gene expression during the effector phase of ceramide-mediated cell death. Of the 239 genes that met the criteria for differential hybridization, 10 correspond to genes previously involved in C2-ceramide or TNF-alpha signaling pathways and 20 in neuronal disorders, oncogenesis or more broadly in the regulation of proliferation. The remaining 209 genes, with or without known functions, constitute a pool of genes potentially implicated in the regulation of neuronal cell death.

PLIP, a novel splice variant of Tip60, interacts with group IV cytosolic phospholipase A(2), induces apoptosis, and potentiates prostaglandin production

The group IV cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) has been localized to the nucleus (M. R. Sierra-Honigmann, J. R. Bradley, and J. S. Pober, Lab. Investig. 74:684-695, 1996) and is known to translocate from the cytosolic compartment to the nuclear membrane (S. Glover, M. S. de Carvalho, T. Bayburt, M. Jonas, E. Chi, C. C. Leslie, and M. H. Gelb, J. Biol. Chem. 270:15359-15367, 1995; A. R. Schievella, M. K. Regier, W. L. Smith, and L. L. Lin, J. Biol. Chem. 270:30749-30754, 1995). We hypothesized that nuclear proteins interact with cPLA(2) and participate in the functional effects of this translocation. We have identified a nuclear protein, cPLA(2)-interacting protein (PLIP), a splice variant of human Tip60, which interacts with the amino terminal region of cPLA(2). Like Tip60, PLIP cDNA includes the MYST domain containing a C2HC zinc finger and well-conserved similarities to acetyltransferases. Both PLIP and Tip60 coimmunoprecipitate and colocalize with cPLA(2) within the nuclei of transfected COS cells. A polyclonal antibody raised to PLIP recognizes both PLIP and Tip60. Endogenous Tip60 and/or PLIP in rat mesangial cells is localized to the nucleus in response to serum deprivation. Nuclear localization coincides temporally with apoptosis. PLIP expression, mediated by adenoviral gene transfer, potentiates serum deprivation-induced prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production and apoptosis in mouse mesangial cells from cPLA(2)(+/+) mice but not in mesangial cells derived from cPLA(2)(-/-) mice. Thus PLIP, a splice variant of Tip60, interacts with cPLA(2) and potentiates cPLA(2)-mediated PGE(2) production and apoptosis.

Is increased arachidonic acid release a cause or a consequence of replicative senescence?

Arachidonic acid (AA) has been related to both stimulation and inhibition of cellular proliferation. During replicative senescence of human fibroblasts, increased levels of AA have been thought to play a causal role in the limited proliferative capacity of the cells. To clarify the role of AA in the proliferation of normal fibroblasts and in cellular senescence, we examined uptake from and release of AA into the culture media and its effects on DNA synthesis. Our results indicate that some aspects of AA metabolism in normal human fibroblasts aged in culture are significantly different in comparison to early passage cells. Particularly, AA release following different mitogenic stimulation is higher in senescent than in young cells. Notwithstanding this significant difference, AA, at the concentration used, has no inhibitory effect on fibroblast DNA synthesis. Moreover AA and prostaglandins are responsible for the proliferative block in neither senescent cells nor mediate ceramide inhibition of DNA synthesis. So our results suggest that the increasing AA release is not causal, but rather the result of in vitro aging.

Resistance to TNF-induced cytotoxicity correlates with an abnormal cleavage of cytosolic phospholipase A2

To investigate the mechanism underlying the absence of arachidonic acid (AA) release by TNF in TNF-resistant cells, we first performed comparative analysis of phospholipid pools in both TNF-sensitive (MCF7) and their equivalent resistant cells (C1001). Quantification and incorporation studies of [(3)H]AA indicated that TNF-resistant cells were not depleted in AA. Furthermore, distribution of this fatty acid in different phospholipid pools was similar in both sensitive cells and their resistant counterparts, ruling out a defect in phospholipid pools. Since phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) are the main enzymes releasing free AA, we investigated their relative contribution in the acquisition of cell resistance to TNF-induced cell death and AA release. For this purpose, we used two PLA(2) inhibitors, methylarachidonyl fluorophosphate (MAFP) and bromoenol lactone (BEL), which selectively and irreversibly inhibit the cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)) and the Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2), respectively. Although a significant inhibitory effect of MAFP on both TNF-induced AA release and PLA(2) activity in MCF7 was observed, BEL had no effect. The inhibitory effect of MAFP on cPLA(2) activity correlated with an inhibition of TNF-induced cell death. Western blot analysis revealed that TNF induced a differential cleavage of cPLA(2) in TNF-sensitive vs TNF-resistant cells. Although the p70 (70-kDa) form of cPLA(2) was specifically increased in TNF-sensitive cells, a cleaved form, p50 (50 kDa), was selectively observed in TNF-resistant C1001 cells in the presence or absence of TNF. These findings suggest that the acquisition of cell resistance to this cytokine may involve an abnormal cPLA(2) cleavage.

Ceramide induction of COX-2 and PGE(2) in pulmonary A549 cells does not involve activation of NF-kappaB

Ceramide is generated by the hydrolysis of membrane sphingomyelin by sphingomyelinase (SMase) and is implicated in multiple signaling pathways, including activation of NF-kappaB. As NF-kappaB is pivotal in the expression of numerous genes associated with airway inflammation and asthma, the effects of ceramide and SMase were examined in human pulmonary A549 cells. Ceramide and SMase both induced cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression and stimulated PGE(2) release. However, neither ceramide nor SMase induced NF-kappaB DNA-binding, loss of IkappaBalpha, or NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. Both ceramide and SMase were efficient inducers of the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), but not Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Since ERK is implicated in arachidonic acid availability, these data partly explain the ability of ceramide to induce PGE(2) release. However, as ERK is not required for IL-1beta-dependent induction of COX-2, the mechanism of ceramide and SMase induction of COX-2 remains unclear.

Overexpression of acid ceramidase protects from tumor necrosis factor-induced cell death

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signals cell death and simultaneously induces generation of ceramide. To evaluate the contribution of ceramide to TNF-dependent cell death, we generated clones of the TNF-sensitive cell line L929 that constitutively overexpress human acid ceramidase (AC). Ceramidase, in concert with sphingosine kinase, metabolizes ceramide to sphingosine-1-phosphate (SPP), an inducer of proliferation. In response to TNF, parental L929 cells display a significant increase in intracellular ceramide correlated with an "atypical apoptosis" characterized by membrane blebbing, DNA fragmentation and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase despite a lack of caspase activity. These features are strongly reduced or absent in AC-overexpressing cells. Pharmacological suppression of AC with N-oleoylethanolamine restored the accumulation of intracellular ceramide as well as the sensitivity of the transfectants to TNF, implying that an enhanced metabolization of intracellular ceramide by AC shifts the balance between intracellular ceramide and SPP levels towards cell survival. Correspondingly, inhibition of ceramide production by acid sphingomyelinase also increased survival of TNF-treated L929 cells.

Glycerophospholipids in brain: their metabolism, incorporation into membranes, functions, and involvement in neurological disorders

Neural membranes contain several classes of glycerophospholipids which turnover at different rates with respect to their structure and localization in different cells and membranes. The glycerophospholipid composition of neural membranes greatly alters their functional efficacy. The length of glycerophospholipid acyl chain and the degree of saturation are important determinants of many membrane characteristics including the formation of lateral domains that are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Receptor-mediated degradation of glycerophospholipids by phospholipases A(l), A(2), C, and D results in generation of second messengers such as arachidonic acid, eicosanoids, platelet activating factor and diacylglycerol. Thus, neural membrane phospholipids are a reservoir for second messengers. They are also involved in apoptosis, modulation of activities of transporters, and membrane-bound enzymes. Marked alterations in neural membrane glycerophospholipid composition have been reported to occur in neurological disorders. These alterations result in changes in membrane fluidity and permeability. These processes along with the accumulation of lipid peroxides and compromised energy metabolism may be responsible for the neurodegeneration observed in neurological disorders.

Advances in the signal transduction of ceramide and related sphingolipids

Recently, the sphingolipid metabolites ceramide, sphingosine, ceramide 1-P, and sphingosine 1-P have been implicated as second messengers involved in many different cellular functions. Publications on this topic are appearing at a rapidly increasing rate and new developments in this field are also appearing rapidly. It is thus important to summarize the results obtained from many different laboratories and from different fields of research to obtain a clearer picture of the importance of sphingolipid metabolites. This article reviews the studies from the last few years and includes the effects of a variety of extracellular agents on sphingolipid signal transduction pathways in different tissues and cells and on the mechanisms of regulation. Sphingomyelin exists in a number of functionally distinct pools and is composed of distinct molecular species. Sphingomyelin metabolites may be formed by many different pathways. For example, the generation of ceramide from sphingomyelin can be catalyzed by at least five different sphingomyelinases. A large variety of stimuli can induce the generation of ceramide, leading to activation or inhibition of various cellular events such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and inflammation. The effect of ceramide on these physiological processes is due to its many different downstream targets. It can activate ceramide-activated protein kinases and ceramide-activated protein phosphatases. It also activates or inhibits PKCs, PLD, PLA2, PC-PLC, nitric oxide synthase, and the ERK and SAPK/JNK signaling cascades. Ceramide activates or inhibits transcription factors, modulates calcium homeostasis and interacts with the retinoblastoma protein to regulate cell cycle progression. Most of the work in this field has involved the study of ceramide effects, but the roles of the other three sphingomyelin metabolites is now attracting much attention. The complex interactions between signaling components and ceramide and the controls regulating these interactions are now being identified and are presented in this review.

Cyclo-oxygenase-2: pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry and relevance to NSAID therapy

Cyclo-oxygenase is expressed in cells in two distinct isoforms. Cyclo-oxygenase-1 is present constitutively whilst cyclo-oxygenase-2 is expressed primarily after inflammatory insult. The activity of cyclo-oxygenase-1 and -2 results in the production of a variety of potent biological mediators (the prostaglandins) that regulate homeostatic and disease processes. Inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase include the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac. NSAIDs inhibit cyclo-oxygenase-2 at the site of inflammation, to produce their therapeutic benefits, as well as cyclo-oxygenase-1 in the gastric mucosa, which produces gastric damage. Most recently selective inhibitors of cyclo-oxygenase-2 have been developed and introduced to man for the treatment of arthritis. Moreover, recent epidemiological evidence suggests that cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors may have important therapeutic relevance in the prevention of some cancers or even Alzheimer's disease. This review will discuss how the new advancements in NSAIDs research has led to the development of a new class of NSAIDs that has far reaching implications for the treatment of disease.

Modes of L929 cell death induced by TNF-alpha and other cytotoxic agents

Recent studies have variably reported that tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) induces either necrosis or apoptosis in L929 cells. This study was undertaken to better characterize the mode of death induced in L929 cells by this agent. We determined the effects of exposure to TNF-alpha and other cytotoxic agents on cell size and morphology, cell membrane permeability, exposure of phosphatidylserine at the cell surface, nuclear morphology and fragmentation of DNA. Our results suggest that L929 cells treated with TNF-alpha alone show nuclear changes and a pattern of DNA fragmentation that are atypical of apoptosis. In contrast, our results demonstrate that, when augmented with actinomycin D, TNF-alpha induces classical apoptosis in L929 cells. We also provide the first report that, in L929 cells, staurosporine induces classical apoptosis and colchicine induces a form of apoptosis lacking internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Previous studies of TNF-alpha-induced death in L929 cells relied on measurements of only one or two parameters to define the mode of death. Overall, our results suggest that in future cellular or biochemical studies of the effects of TNF-alpha on L929 cells it will be prudent to characterize the mode of death in each case using a multi-parameter approach, as done here.

Perturbations in the control of cellular arachidonic acid levels block cell growth and induce apoptosis in HL-60 cells

Our previous studies demonstrated that inhibitors of arachidonate-phospholipid remodeling [i.e. the enzyme CoA-independent transacylase (CoA-IT)] decrease cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in neoplastic cells. The goal of the current study was to elucidate the molecular events associated with arachidonate-phospholipid remodeling that influence cell proliferation and survival. Initial experiments revealed the essential nature of cellular arachidonate to the signaling process by demonstrating that HL-60 cells depleted of arachidonate were more resistant to apoptosis induced by CoA-IT inhibition. In cells treated with CoA-IT inhibitors a marked increase in free arachidonic acid and AA-containing triglycerides were measured. TG enrichment was likely due to acylation of arachidonic acid into diglycerides and triglycerides via de novo glycerolipid biosynthesis. To determine the potential of free fatty acids to affect cell proliferation, HL-60 cells were incubated with varying concentrations of free fatty acids; exogenously provided 20-carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation, whereas oleic acid was without effect. Blocking 5-lipoxygenase or cyclooxygenases had no effect on the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by arachidonic acid or CoA-IT inhibitors. An increase in cell-associated ceramides (mainly in the 16:0-ceramide fraction) was measured in cells exposed to free arachidonic acid or to CoA-IT inhibitors. This study, in conjunction with other recent studies, suggests that perturbations in the control of cellular arachidonic acid levels affect cell proliferation and survival.

Ceramide regulates the transcription of cyclooxygenase-2. Evidence for involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

The ceramide signaling pathway is activated by the sphingomyelinase (SMase)-mediated hydrolysis of cell membrane sphingomyelin to ceramide. We determined whether ceramide, a lipid second messenger, induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in human mammary epithelial cells. Treatment of cells with neutral SMase or C2- or C6-ceramide enhanced prostaglandin E2 synthesis and increased levels of COX-2 protein and mRNA. Nuclear runoff assays revealed increased rates of COX-2 transcription after treatment with SMase and C2- and C6-ceramide. Transient transfections utilizing COX-2 promoter deletion constructs and COX-2 promoter constructs in which specific enhancer elements were mutagenized indicated that the effects of ceramide were mediated via a cAMP response element. The induction of COX-2 by ceramide was inhibited by calphostin C, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. Induction of COX-2 promoter activity by SMase was blocked by overexpressing kinase-deficient Raf-1. Triggering of the ceramide pathway also led to increases in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activities; pharmacological inhibitors of MAPK kinase (MEK) and p38 MAPK blocked the induction of COX-2 by SMase. Overexpressing ERK1, JNK, or p38 led to severalfold increases in COX-2 promoter activity. By comparison, overexpression of dominant negatives for ERK1/2, JNK, or p38 blocked the activation of COX-2 promoter activity by SMase. A dominant negative for c-Jun inhibited the activation of COX-2 promoter activity by ceramide. Thus, in response to ceramide, increased MAPK signaling activates c-Jun, which, in turn, induces COX-2 gene expression via the cAMP response element in the COX-2 promoter.

Signal transduction of stress via ceramide

The sphingomyelin (SM) pathway is a ubiquitous, evolutionarily conserved signalling system analogous to conventional systems such as the cAMP and phosphoinositide pathways. Ceramide, which serves as second messenger in this pathway, is generated from SM by the action of a neutral or acidic SMase, or by de novo synthesis co-ordinated through the enzyme ceramide synthase. A number of direct targets for ceramide action have now been identified, including ceramide-activated protein kinase, ceramide-activated protein phosphatase and protein kinase Czeta, which couple the SM pathway to well defined intracellular signalling cascades. The SM pathway induces differentiation, proliferation or growth arrest, depending on the cell type. Very often, however, the outcome of signalling through this pathway is apoptosis. Mammalian systems respond to diverse stresses with ceramide generation, and recent studies show that yeast manifest a form of this response. Thus ceramide signalling is an older stress response system than the caspase/apoptotic death pathway, and hence these two pathways must have become linked later in evolution. Signalling of the stress response through ceramide appears to play a role in the development of human diseases, including ischaemia/reperfusion injury, insulin resistance and diabetes, atherogenesis, septic shock and ovarian failure. Further, ceramide signalling mediates the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy and radiation in some cells. An understanding of the mechanisms by which ceramide regulates physiological and pathological events in specific cells may provide new targets for pharmacological intervention.