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Kang Y, Sundaramoorthy P, Gasparetto C, Feinberg D, Fan S, Long G, Sellars E, Garrett A, Tuchman SA, Reeves BN, Li Z, Liu B, Ogretmen B, Maines L, Ben-Yair VK, Smith C, Plasse T. Phase I study of opaganib, an oral sphingosine kinase 2-specific inhibitor, in relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Ann Hematol 2023; 102:369-383. [PMID: 36460794 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-05056-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease and there is an unmet medical need for novel therapeutic drugs that do not share similar mechanisms of action with currently available agents. Sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2) is an innovative molecular target for anticancer therapy. We previously reported that treatment with SK2 inhibitor opaganib inhibited myeloma tumor growth in vitro and in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. In the current study, we performed a phase I study of opaganib in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Thirteen patients with RRMM previously treated with immunomodulatory agents and proteasome inhibitors were enrolled and treated with single-agent opaganib at three oral dosing regimens (250 mg BID, 500 mg BID, or 750 mg BID, 28 days as a cycle). Safety and maximal tolerated dose (MTD) were determined. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and correlative studies were also performed. Opaganib was well tolerated up to a dose of 750 mg BID. The most common possibly related adverse event (AE) was decreased neutrophil counts. There were no serious AEs considered to be related to opaganib. MTD was determined as at least 750 mg BID. On an intent-to-treat basis, one patient (7.7%) in the 500 mg BID dose cohort showed a very good partial response, and one other patient (7.7%) achieved stable disease for 3 months. SK2 is an innovative molecular target for antimyeloma therapy. The first-in-class SK2 inhibitor opaganib is generally safe for administration to RRMM patients, and has potential therapeutic activity in these patients. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02757326.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yubin Kang
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA.
| | - Pasupathi Sundaramoorthy
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA
| | - Cristina Gasparetto
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA
| | - Daniel Feinberg
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA
| | - Shengjun Fan
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA
| | - Gwynn Long
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA
| | - Emily Sellars
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA
| | - Anderson Garrett
- Division of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2400 Pratt Street, Suite 5000, Durham, NC, DUMC 396127710, USA
| | - Sascha A Tuchman
- Division of Hematology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Brandi N Reeves
- Division of Hematology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Zhiguo Li
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bei Liu
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Lynn Maines
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, PA, USA
| | | | - Charles Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, PA, USA
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Abstract
Sphingosine kinases (SK1 and SK2) are key, druggable targets within the sphingolipid metabolism pathway that promote tumor growth and pathologic inflammation. A variety of isozyme-selective and dual inhibitors of SK1 and SK2 have been described in the literature, and at least one compound has reached clinical testing in cancer patients. In this chapter, we will review the rationale for targeting SKs and summarize the preclinical and emerging clinical data for ABC294640 as the first-in-class selective inhibitor of SK2.
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Sundaramoorthy P, Gasparetto C, Kang Y. The combination of a sphingosine kinase 2 inhibitor (ABC294640) and a Bcl-2 inhibitor (ABT-199) displays synergistic anti-myeloma effects in myeloma cells without a t(11;14) translocation. Cancer Med 2018; 7:3257-3268. [PMID: 29761903 PMCID: PMC6051232 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable disease in need of the development of novel therapeutic agents and drug combinations. ABT‐199 is a specific Bcl‐2 inhibitor in clinical trials for MM; however, its activity as a single agent was limited to myeloma patients with the t(11;14) translocation who acquire resistance due to co‐expression of Mcl‐1 and Bcl‐xL. These limitations preclude its use in a broader patient population. We have recently found that a sphingosine kinase 2‐specific inhibitor (ABC294640) induces apoptosis in primary human CD138+ cells and MM cell lines. ABC294640 is currently in phase I/II clinical trials for myeloma (clinicaltrials.gov: #NCT01410981). Interestingly, ABC294640 down‐regulates c‐Myc and Mcl‐1, but does not have any effects on Bcl‐2. We first evaluated the combinatorial anti‐myeloma effect of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 in vitro in 7 MM cell lines, all of which harbor no t(11;14) translocation. Combination index calculation demonstrated a synergistic anti‐myeloma effect of the combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199. This synergistic anti‐myeloma effect was maintained even in the presence of bone marrow (BM) stromal cells. The combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 led to enhanced cleavage of PARP and caspase‐3/9 and increased Annexin‐V expression, consistent with the induction of apoptosis by the combination treatment. In addition, the combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 resulted in the down‐regulation of the anti‐apoptotic proteins Mcl‐1, Bcl‐2, and Bcl‐xL and the cleavage of Bax and Bid. The combination induced both the mitochondrial mediated‐ and caspase‐mediated apoptosis pathways. Finally, the combination of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 resulted in augmented anti‐myeloma effect in vivo in a mouse xenograft model. These findings demonstrate that the co‐administration of ABC294640 and ABT‐199 exhibits synergistic anti‐myeloma activity in vitro and in vivo, providing justification for a clinical study of this novel combination in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasupathi Sundaramoorthy
- Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cristina Gasparetto
- Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yubin Kang
- Division of Hematological Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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Vogt D, Stark H. Therapeutic Strategies and Pharmacological Tools Influencing S1P Signaling and Metabolism. Med Res Rev 2016; 37:3-51. [PMID: 27480072 DOI: 10.1002/med.21402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During the last two decades the study of the sphingolipid anabolic, catabolic, and signaling pathways has attracted enormous interest. Especially the introduction of fingolimod into market as first p.o. therapeutic for the treatment of multiple sclerosis has boosted this effect. Although the complex regulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and other catabolic and anabolic sphingosine-related compounds is not fully understood, the influence on different (patho)physiological states from inflammation to cytotoxicity as well as the availability of versatile pharmacological tools that represent new approaches to study these states are described. Here, we have summarized various aspects concerning the many faces of sphingolipid function modulation by different pharmacological tools up to clinical candidates. Due to the immense heterogeneity of physiological or pharmacological actions and complex cross regulations, it is difficult to predict their role in upcoming therapeutic approaches. Currently, inflammatory, immunological, and/or antitumor aspects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Vogt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Inhibition of sphingosine kinase 2 downregulates the expression of c-Myc and Mcl-1 and induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma. Blood 2015; 124:1915-25. [PMID: 25122609 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-03-559385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolism is being increasingly recognized as a key pathway in regulating cancer cell survival and proliferation. However, very little is known about its role in multiple myeloma (MM). We investigated the potential of targeting sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2) for the treatment of MM. We found that SK2 was overexpressed in MM cell lines and in primary human bone marrow (BM) CD1381 myeloma cells. Inhibition of SK2 by SK2- specific short hairpin RNA or ABC294640 (a SK2 specific inhibitor) effectively inhibited myeloma cell proliferation and induced caspase 3–mediated apoptosis. ABC294640 inhibited primary human CD1381 myeloma cells with the same efficacy as with MM cell lines. ABC294640 effectively induced apoptosis of myeloma cells, even in the presence of BM stromal cells. Furthermore, we found that ABC294640 downregulated the expression of pS6 and directed c-Myc and myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) for proteasome degradation. In addition, ABC294640 increased Noxa gene transcription and protein expression. ABC294640, per se, did not affect the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), but acted synergistically with ABT-737 (a Bcl-2 inhibitor) in inducing myeloma cell death. ABC294640 suppressed myeloma tumor growth in vivo in mouse myeloma xenograft models. Our data demonstrated that SK2 provides a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of MM.This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01410981.
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Lin HY, Delmas D, Vang O, Hsieh TC, Lin S, Cheng GY, Chiang HL, Chen CE, Tang HY, Crawford DR, Whang-Peng J, Hwang J, Liu LF, Wu JM. Mechanisms of ceramide-induced COX-2-dependent apoptosis in human ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cells partially overlapped with resveratrol. J Cell Biochem 2013; 114:1940-54. [PMID: 23495037 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Ceramide is a member of the sphingolipid family of bioactive molecules demonstrated to have profound, diverse biological activities. Ceramide is a potential chemotherapeutic agent via the induction of apoptosis. Exposure to ceramide activates extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2- and p38 kinase-dependent apoptosis in human ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cells, concomitant with an increase in the expression of COX-2 and p53 phosphorylation. Blockade of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity by siRNA or NS398 correspondingly inhibited ceramide-induced p53 Ser-15 phosphorylation and apoptosis; thus COX-2 appears at the apex of the p38 kinase-mediated signaling cascade induced by ceramide. Induction of apoptosis by ceramide or resveratrol was inhibited by the endocytosis inhibitor, cytochalasin D (CytD); however, cells exposed to resveratrol showed greater sensitivity than ceramide-treated cells. Ceramide-treated cells underwent a dose-dependent reduction in trans-membrane potential. Although both ceramide and resveratrol induced the expressions of caspase-3 and -7, the effect of inducible COX-2 was different in caspase-7 expression induced by ceramide compared to resveratrol. In summary, resveratrol and ceramide converge on an endocytosis-requiring, ERK1/2-dependent signal transduction pathway and induction of COX-expression as an essential molecular antecedent for subsequent p53-dependent apoptosis. In addition, expressions of caspase-3 and -7 are observed. However, a p38 kinase-dependent signal transduction pathway and change in mitochondrial potential are also involved in ceramide-induced apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Yun Lin
- Institute of Cancer Biology and Drug Discovery, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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7
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Gomez-Muñoz A, Gangoiti P, Arana L, Ouro A, Rivera IG, Ordoñez M, Trueba M. New insights on the role of ceramide 1-phosphate in inflammation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2013; 1831:1060-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2012] [Revised: 01/29/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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8
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Metronomic ceramide analogs inhibit angiogenesis in pancreatic cancer through up-regulation of caveolin-1 and thrombospondin-1 and down-regulation of cyclin D1. Neoplasia 2013; 14:833-45. [PMID: 23019415 DOI: 10.1593/neo.12772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2012] [Revised: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 07/30/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS To evaluate the antitumor and antiangiogenic activity of metronomic ceramide analogs and their relevant molecular mechanisms. METHODS Human endothelial cells [human dermal microvascular endothelial cells and human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC)] and pancreatic cancer cells (Capan-1 and MIA PaCa-2) were treated with the ceramide analogs (C2, AL6, C6, and C8), at low concentrations for 144 hours to evaluate any antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects and inhibition of migration and to measure the expression of caveolin-1 (CAV-1) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) mRNAs by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Assessment of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Akt phosphorylation and of CAV-1 and cyclin D1 protein expression was performed by ELISA. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) gemcitabine was compared against metronomic doses of the ceramide analogs by evaluating the inhibition of MIA PaCa-2 subcutaneous tumor growth in nude mice. RESULTS Metronomic ceramide analogs preferentially inhibited cell proliferation and enhanced apoptosis in endothelial cells. Low concentrations of AL6 and C2 caused a significant inhibition of HUVEC migration. ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation were significantly decreased after metronomic ceramide analog treatment. Such treatment caused the overexpression of CAV-1 and TSP-1 mRNAs and proteins in endothelial cells, whereas cyclin D1 protein levels were reduced. The antiangiogenic and antitumor impact in vivo of metronomic C2 and AL6 regimens was similar to that caused by MTD gemcitabine. CONCLUSIONS Metronomic C2 and AL6 analogs have antitumor and antiangiogenic activity, determining the up-regulation of CAV-1 and TSP-1 and the suppression of cyclin D1.
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9
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Draper JM, Xia Z, Smith RA, Zhuang Y, Wang W, Smith CD. Discovery and evaluation of inhibitors of human ceramidase. Mol Cancer Ther 2011; 10:2052-61. [PMID: 21885864 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-11-0365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) rheostat has been hypothesized to play a critical role in regulating tumor cell fate, with elevated levels of ceramide inducing death and elevated levels of S1P leading to survival and proliferation. Ceramidases are key enzymes that control this rheostat by hydrolyzing ceramide to produce sphingosine and may also confer resistance to drugs and radiation. Therefore, ceramidase inhibitors have excellent potential for development as new anticancer drugs. In this study, we identify a novel ceramidase inhibitor (Ceranib-1) by screening a small molecule library and describe the synthesis of a more potent analogue (Ceranib-2). In a cell-based assay, both compounds were found to inhibit cellular ceramidase activity toward an exogenous ceramide analogue, induce the accumulation of multiple ceramide species, decrease levels of sphingosine and S1P, inhibit the proliferation of cells alone and in combination with paclitaxel, and induce cell-cycle arrest and cell death. In vivo, Ceranib-2 was found to delay tumor growth in a syngeneic tumor model without hematologic suppression or overt signs of toxicity. These data support the selection of ceramidases as suitable targets for anticancer drug development and provide the first nonlipid inhibitors of human ceramidase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremiah M Draper
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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10
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Wang H, Maurer BJ, Liu YY, Wang E, Allegood JC, Kelly S, Symolon H, Liu Y, Merrill AH, Gouazé-Andersson V, Yu JY, Giuliano AE, Cabot MC. N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)retinamide increases dihydroceramide and synergizes with dimethylsphingosine to enhance cancer cell killing. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:2967-76. [PMID: 18790777 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fenretinide [N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR)] is cytotoxic in many cancer cell types. Studies have shown that elevation of ceramide species plays a role in 4-HPR cytotoxicity. To determine 4-HPR activity in a multidrug-resistant cancer cell line as well as to study ceramide metabolism, MCF-7/AdrR cells (redesignated NCI/ADR-RES) were treated with 4-HPR and sphingolipids were analyzed. TLC analysis of cells radiolabeled with [3H]palmitic acid showed that 4-HPR elicited a dose-responsive increase in radioactivity migrating in the ceramide region of the chromatogram and a decrease in cell viability. Results from liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry revealed large elevations in dihydroceramides (N-acylsphinganines), but not desaturated ceramides, and large increases in complex dihydrosphingolipids (dihydrosphingomyelins, monohexosyldihydroceramides), sphinganine, and sphinganine 1-phosphate. To test the hypothesis that elevation of sphinganine participates in the cytotoxicity of 4-HPR, cells were treated with the sphingosine kinase inhibitor d-erythro-N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS), with and without 4-HPR. After 24 h, the 4-HPR/DMS combination caused a 9-fold increase in sphinganine that was sustained through +48 hours, decreased sphinganine 1-phosphate, and increased cytotoxicity. Increased dihydrosphingolipids and sphinganine were also found in HL-60 leukemia cells and HT-29 colon cancer cells treated with 4-HPR. The 4-HPR/DMS combination elicited increased apoptosis in all three cell lines. We propose that a mechanism of 4-HPR-induced cytotoxicity involves increases in dihydrosphingolipids, and that the synergy between 4-HPR and DMS is associated with large increases in cellular sphinganine. These studies suggest that enhanced clinical efficacy of 4-HPR may be realized through regimens containing agents that modulate sphingoid base metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Wang
- Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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11
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Ramírez de Molina A, Gallego-Ortega D, Sarmentero-Estrada J, Lagares D, Gómez del Pulgar T, Bandrés E, García-Foncillas J, Lacal JC. Choline kinase as a link connecting phospholipid metabolism and cell cycle regulation: Implications in cancer therapy. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2008; 40:1753-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2008.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2007] [Revised: 12/26/2007] [Accepted: 01/06/2008] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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12
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Schmitz G, Grandl M. Role of redox regulation and lipid rafts in macrophages during Ox-LDL-mediated foam cell formation. Antioxid Redox Signal 2007; 9:1499-518. [PMID: 17600463 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2007.1663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hyperlipidemias and small dense LDLs in patients with high-triglyceride low-HDL syndromes lead to a prolonged half life of apoB-containing particles. This is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) activation and leads to formation of oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL). Generators of ROS in macrophages (MACs) include myeloperoxidase (MPO)-mediated respiratory burst and raft-associated NADPH-oxidase. The intracellular oxidant milieu is involved in cellular signaling pathways, like ion-transport systems, protein phosphorylation, and gene expression. Lipid oxidation through ROS can amplify foam cell formation through Ox-LDL uptake, leading to formation of ceramide (Cer)-rich lipid membrane microdomains, and is associated with expansion of the lysosomal compartment and an upregulation of ABCA1 and other genes of the AP3 secretory pathway. Ox-LDL may also affect cell-surface turnover of Cer-backbone sphingolipids and apoE-mediated uptake by LRP-family members. In contrast, HDL-mediated lipid efflux causes disruption of lipid membrane microdomains and prevents foam cell formation. Oxidation of HDL through MPO leads to a failure of lipid efflux and enhancement of MAC loading. Therefore, lipid rafts and oxidation processes are important in regulation of MAC foam cell formation and atherosclerosis, and the balance between oxidant and antioxidant intracellular systems is critically important for efficient MAC function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerd Schmitz
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
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Imamura T, Kusano H, Kajigaya Y, Ichikawa M, Shimada H. A rice dihydrosphingosine C4 hydroxylase (DSH1) gene, which is abundantly expressed in the stigmas, vascular cells and apical meristem, may be involved in fertility. PLANT & CELL PHYSIOLOGY 2007; 48:1108-20. [PMID: 17609219 DOI: 10.1093/pcp/pcm084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Dihydrosphingosine C4 hydroxylase is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of phytosphingosine, a major constituent of sphingolipids in plants and yeasts. The rice genome contains five homologue genes for dihydrosphingosine C4 hydroxylase, DSH1-DSH5, whose gene products show high degrees of homology to the yeast counterpart, SUR2. Among them, expression of DSH1, DSH2 and DSH4 was detected, and DSH1 and DSH4 complement the yeast sur2 mutation. The DSH1 gene was specifically and abundantly expressed in vascular bundles and apical meristems. In particular, very strong expression was detected in the stigmas of flowers. Repression of DSH1 expression by the antisense gene or RNA interference (RNAi) resulted in a severe reduction of fertility. In the transformants in which DSH1 expression was suppressed, significantly increased expression of DSH2 was found in leaves but not in pistils, suggesting that there was tissue-specific correlation between DSH1 and DSH2 expression. Our results indicate that the product of DSH1 may be involved in plant viability or reproductive processes, and that the phenotype of sterility is apparently caused by loss of function of DSH1 in the stigma. It is also suggested that there is a complex mechanism controlling the tissue-specific expression of the DSH1 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Imamura
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, 2641 Yamazaki, Noda, Chiba, 278-8510, Japan
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14
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Wang F, Tan W, Guo D, He S. Reduction of CD4 positive T cells and improvement of pathological changes of collagen-induced arthritis by FTY720. Eur J Pharmacol 2007; 573:230-40. [PMID: 17716652 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2007] [Revised: 06/29/2007] [Accepted: 07/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
FTY720 belongs to a new class of immunosuppressants. Little is known about its influence on T cell subtypes and pathological changes in arthritis. Here we illustrated the effect of FTY720 on peripheral T cell subsets and joint damage of collagen-induced arthritis rats. Rats were administered FTY720 or prednisone daily from day 0 to day 28. Body weight, hind paw swelling and arthritis index were measured. Bone destruction was determined by micro-computed tomography and histopathology, and T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that FTY720 inhibited the development of arthritis. Radiological analysis revealed that FTY720 treated collagen-induced arthritic rats had much less joint damage in comparison to untreated collagen-induced arthritic rats. Histological study showed that collagen-induced arthritic rats suffered from inflammatory cell infiltration and synovial hyperplasia in their joints, and FTY720 treatment clearly reduced these pathological changes. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that FTY720 treatment significantly decreased the number of CD4(+) T cells in the synovium of collagen-induced arthritic rats. Collagen-induced arthritic rats appeared to have more CD4(+), but not CD8(+) T cells in their peripheral blood than normal control rats. Following FTY720 treatment, peripheral blood CD3(+) and CD4(+) T cells in collagen-induced arthritic rats were significantly decreased. In conclusion, FTY720 is an effective compound in the treatment of collagen-induced arthritic rats and in reducing CD4(+) T cells in collagen-induced arthritic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- The Clinical Experiment Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China.
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15
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Kitano M, Hla T, Sekiguchi M, Kawahito Y, Yoshimura R, Miyazawa K, Iwasaki T, Sano H, Saba JD, Tam YY. Sphingosine 1-phosphate/sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 signaling in rheumatoid synovium: regulation of synovial proliferation and inflammatory gene expression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 54:742-53. [PMID: 16508938 DOI: 10.1002/art.21668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Dyatlovitskaya EV, Kandyba AG. Role of biologically active sphingolipids in tumor growth. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2006; 71:10-7. [PMID: 16457613 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297906010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This review highlights the literature on the effects of biologically active sphingolipids (sphingosine, ceramide, sphingomyelin, glucosylceramide, gangliosides GM1, GM2, GM3, GD3, etc.) on proliferation, apoptosis, metastases, and invasiveness of tumor cells and the putative role of sphingolipids in chemotherapy of malignant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- E V Dyatlovitskaya
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
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Vaena de Avalos S, Su X, Zhang M, Okamoto Y, Dowhan W, Hannun YA. The phosphatidylglycerol/cardiolipin biosynthetic pathway is required for the activation of inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C, Isc1p, during growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biol Chem 2004; 280:7170-7. [PMID: 15611094 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m411058200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Inositolsphingolipid phospholipase C (Isc1p) is the Saccharomyces cerevisiae member of the extended family of neutral sphingomyelinases that regulates the generation of bioactive ceramides. Recently, we reported that Isc1p is post-translationally activated in the post-diauxic phase of growth and that it localizes to mitochondria (Vaena de Avalos, S., Okamoto, Y., and Hannun, Y. A. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 11537-11545). In this study the in vivo mechanisms of activation and function of Isc1p were investigated. Deletion of ISC1 resulted in markedly lower growth in non-fermentable carbon sources. Interestingly, the growth defect of isc1Delta strains resembled that of pgs1Delta strains, lacking the committed step in the synthesis of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and cardiolipin (CL), which were shown to activate Isc1p in vitro. Therefore, the role of Pgs1p in activation of Isc1p in vivo was investigated. The results showed that in the pgs1Delta strain, the growth-dependent activation of Isc1p was impaired as was the ISC1-dependent increase in the levels of phytoceramide during the post-diauxic phase, demonstrating that the activation of Isc1p in vivo is dependent on PGS1 and on the mitochondrial phospholipids PG/CL. Mechanistically, loss of Isc1p resulted in lower levels of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunits cox3p and cox4p, previously established targets of both PG and CL (Ostrander, D. B., Zhang, M., Mileykovskaya, E., Rho, M., and Dowhan, W. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 25262-25272), thus suggesting that Isc1p mediates at least some functions downstream of PG/CL. This study provides the first evidence for the mechanism of in vivo activation and function of Isc1p. A model with endogenous PG/CL as the in vivo activator of Isc1p is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vaena de Avalos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Hollings Cancer Center, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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Roviezzo F, Del Galdo F, Abbate G, Bucci M, D'Agostino B, Antunes E, De Dominicis G, Parente L, Rossi F, Cirino G, De Palma R. Human eosinophil chemotaxis and selective in vivo recruitment by sphingosine 1-phosphate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:11170-5. [PMID: 15254297 PMCID: PMC503758 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0401439101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a sphingolipid mediator that is involved in diverse biological functions. Local administration of S1P causes inflammation coupled to a large eosinophil (EO) recruitment in the rat-paw tissue. The inflammatory response is accompanied by an increase in S1P receptors, namely S1P(1), S1P(2), S1P(3), and by an enhanced expression of CCR3, which is the main chemokine receptor known to be involved in EO function. Human EOs constitutively express S1P(1) and, at a lower extent, S1P(2), S1P(3) receptors. S1P in vitro causes cultured human EO migration and an increase in S1P receptor mRNA copies and strongly up-regulates CCR3 and RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted) message levels; in particular CCR3 is up-regulated 18,000-fold by S1P. A blocking anti-CCR3 Ab inhibits S1P-induced chemotaxis, implying that S1P acts as specific recruiting signal for EOs not only through its own receptors but also through CCR3. These results show that S1P is involved in EO chemotaxis and contribute to shed light on the complex mechanisms underlying EO recruitment in several diseases such as asthma and some malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorentina Roviezzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, 84084 Salerno, Italy
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Vaena de Avalos S, Okamoto Y, Hannun YA. Activation and localization of inositol phosphosphingolipid phospholipase C, Isc1p, to the mitochondria during growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. J Biol Chem 2003; 279:11537-45. [PMID: 14699160 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m309586200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingomyelinases (SMases) generate ceramides, which are known to regulate cell cycle and growth. Only one enzyme that belongs to the extended family of SMases is present in S. cerevisiae, Isc1p; however, little is known about its regulation or physiologic function. Deletion of ISC1 in S. cerevisiae resulted in a growth defect, and the slow growth phenotype was rescued by plasmid-borne expression of Isc1, confirming its role in growth. The levels of phytoceramide exhibited an Isc1p-dependent increase of approximately 4-fold after 24 h of growth. In addition, the specific activity of Isc1p was significantly elevated (>3-fold) between the early logarithmic and the late logarithmic/start of stationary phases of growth. The activation of the enzyme was not associated with increased levels of the protein, indicating that the mechanism is independent of transcription/translation. Interestingly, this activation was lost upon delipidation of the enzyme, raising the possibility of regulation by associated lipids. Confocal microscopy revealed that the enzyme was predominantly in the ER during early growth but became associated with mitochondria in late logarithmic growth. These results were also supported by differential centrifugation and isolation of mitochondria and further confirmed in mitochondria purified using sucrose gradients at the different stages of growth. These results reveal that the activity and localization of Isc1p are regulated in a growth-dependent manner. A novel mechanism for activation of Isc1p through localization to mitochondria is proposed. The results also suggest a role for Isc1p-generated ceramides in optimal regulation of growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vaena de Avalos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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Reiss U, Oskouian B, Zhou J, Gupta V, Sooriyakumaran P, Kelly S, Wang E, Merrill AH, Saba JD. Sphingosine-phosphate lyase enhances stress-induced ceramide generation and apoptosis. J Biol Chem 2003; 279:1281-90. [PMID: 14570870 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m309646200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase is a widely expressed enzyme that catalyzes the essentially irreversible cleavage of the signaling molecule sphingosine 1-phosphate. To investigate whether sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase influences mammalian cell fate decisions, a recombinant human sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase fused to green fluorescent protein was expressed in HEK293 cells. The recombinant enzyme was active, localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, and reduced baseline sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate levels. Stable overexpression led to diminished viability under stress, which was attributed to an increase in apoptosis and was reversible in a dose-dependent manner by exogenous sphingosine 1-phosphate. In contrast to sphingosine 1-phosphate, the products of the lyase reaction had no effect on apoptosis. Lyase enzymatic activity was required to potentiate apoptosis, because cells expressing a catalytically inactive enzyme behaved like controls. Stress increased the amounts of long- and very long-chain ceramides in HEK293 cells, and this was enhanced in cells overexpressing wild type but not catalytically inactive lyase. The ceramide increases appeared to be required for apoptosis, because inhibition of ceramide synthase with fumonisin B1 decreased apoptosis in lyase-overexpressing cells. Thus, sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase overexpression in HEK293 cells decreases sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate amounts but elevates stress-induced ceramide generation and apoptosis. This identifies sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase as a dual modulator of sphingosine 1-phosphate and ceramide metabolism as well as a regulator of cell fate decisions and, hence, a potential target for diseases with an imbalance in these biomodulators, such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Reiss
- Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California 94609-1673, USA
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