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Wang J, Zheng G, Wang L, Meng L, Ren J, Shang L, Li D, Bao Y. Dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism in pain. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1337150. [PMID: 38523645 PMCID: PMC10957601 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1337150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pain is a clinical condition that is currently of great concern and is often caused by tissue or nerve damage or occurs as a concomitant symptom of a variety of diseases such as cancer. Severe pain seriously affects the functional status of the body. However, existing pain management programs are not fully satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need to delve deeper into the pathological mechanisms underlying pain generation and to find new targets for drug therapy. Sphingolipids (SLs), as a major component of the bilayer structure of eukaryotic cell membranes, also have powerful signal transduction functions. Sphingolipids are abundant, and their intracellular metabolism constitutes a huge network. Sphingolipids and their various metabolites play significant roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, etc., and have powerful biological activities. The molecules related to sphingolipid metabolism, mainly the core molecule ceramide and the downstream metabolism molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), are involved in the specific mechanisms of neurological disorders as well as the onset and progression of various types of pain, and are closely related to a variety of pain-related diseases. Therefore, sphingolipid metabolism can be the focus of research on pain regulation and provide new drug targets and ideas for pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guangda Zheng
- Department of Oncology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linfeng Wang
- Department of Oncology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linghan Meng
- Department of Oncology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Juanxia Ren
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Lu Shang
- Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Dongtao Li
- Department of Oncology, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Xu HS, Chen Y, Patel A, Wang Z, McDonough C, Guo TL. Chronic exposure to nanocellulose altered depression-related behaviors in mice on a western diet: The role of immune modulation and the gut microbiome. Life Sci 2023; 335:122259. [PMID: 37949212 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To determine if cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) have potential applications as food additives. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice on a Western diet were exposed to CNF for one month at a dose of 30 mg/kg by gavage. Male NOD mice, a model for type 1 diabetes (T1D), were used in a six-month study. KEY FINDINGS Sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA genes suggested significant changes in gut microbiome of male C57BL/6 mice exposed to CNF. Analysis of functional metagenomics indicated that many of the functional contents that might be altered following CNF ingestion were associated with lipid and carbohydrate processing. Further studies in NOD mice suggested that there were some decreases in the blood glucose levels during the insulin tolerance test and glucose tolerance test following CNF treatment. However, these small decreases were not considered biologically meaningful as there were no significant changes in either the area under the curve or the first-order rate constant for glucose disappearance. Moreover, serum concentrations of cytokines/chemokines including IL-3, IL-12(p70) and the keratinocyte chemoattractant were increased following chronic exposure to CNF. In addition, behavioral studies suggested that the percentage of immobility time during the tail-suspension test was significantly increased following six months of exposure to CNF in NOD mice, signifying an increase in depression-related behavior. SIGNIFICANCE Collectively, long-term CNF consumption was associated with changes in the ecology of the gut microbiome, immune homeostasis, and possibly energy metabolism and mental health in male NOD mice on a Western diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Shibo Xu
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Yingjia Chen
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Avani Patel
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Callie McDonough
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Tai L Guo
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
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3
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Vogel A, Ueberbach T, Wilken-Schmitz A, Hahnefeld L, Franck L, Weyer MP, Jungenitz T, Schmid T, Buchmann G, Freudenberg F, Brandes RP, Gurke R, Schwarzacher SW, Geisslinger G, Mittmann T, Tegeder I. Repetitive and compulsive behavior after Early-Life-Pain associated with reduced long-chain sphingolipid species. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:155. [PMID: 37635256 PMCID: PMC10463951 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pain in early life may impact on development and risk of chronic pain. We developed an optogenetic Cre/loxP mouse model of "early-life-pain" (ELP) using mice with transgenic expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) under control of the Advillin (Avil) promoter, which drives expression of transgenes predominantly in isolectin B4 positive non-peptidergic nociceptors in postnatal mice. Avil-ChR2 (Cre +) and ChR2-flfl control mice were exposed to blue light in a chamber once daily from P1-P5 together with their Cre-negative mother. RESULTS ELP caused cortical hyperexcitability at P8-9 as assessed via multi-electrode array recordings that coincided with reduced expression of synaptic genes (RNAseq) including Grin2b, neurexins, piccolo and voltage gated calcium and sodium channels. Young adult (8-16 wks) Avil-ChR2 mice presented with nociceptive hypersensitivity upon heat or mechanical stimulation, which did not resolve up until one year of age. The persistent hypersensitivy to nociceptive stimuli was reflected by increased calcium fluxes in primary sensory neurons of aged mice (1 year) upon capsaicin stimulation. Avil-ChR2 mice behaved like controls in maze tests of anxiety, social interaction, and spatial memory but IntelliCage behavioral studies revealed repetitive nosepokes and corner visits and compulsive lickings. Compulsiveness at the behavioral level was associated with a reduction of sphingomyelin species in brain and plasma lipidomic studies. Behavioral studies were done with female mice. CONCLUSION The results suggest that ELP may predispose to chronic "pain" and compulsive psychopathology in part mediated by alterations of sphingolipid metabolism, which have been previously described in the context of addiction and psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Vogel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Timo Ueberbach
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Annett Wilken-Schmitz
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lisa Hahnefeld
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Luisa Franck
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marc-Philipp Weyer
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tassilo Jungenitz
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tobias Schmid
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Partner Site Frankfurt, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Giulia Buchmann
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Florian Freudenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe-University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ralf P Brandes
- Institute of Cardiovascular Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Gurke
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Stephan W Schwarzacher
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence for Immune Mediated Diseases (CIMD), 60596, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Thomas Mittmann
- Institute of Physiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Luarte A, Nardocci G, Chakraborty A, Batiz LF, Pino-Lagos K, Wyneken Ú. Astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles in stress-associated mood disorders. Does the immune system get astrocytic? Pharmacol Res 2023; 194:106833. [PMID: 37348692 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Life stressors can wreak havoc on our health, contributing to mood disorders like major depressive disorder (MDD), a widespread and debilitating condition. Unfortunately, current treatments and diagnostic strategies fall short of addressing these disorders, highlighting the need for new approaches. In this regard, the relationship between MDD, brain inflammation (neuroinflammation), and systemic inflammation in the body may offer novel insights. Recent research has uncovered the crucial role of astrocytes in coordinating the inflammatory response through the release of extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) during different neuroinflammatory conditions. While the contribution of ADEVs to stress and MDD remains largely unexplored, their potential to modulate immune cells and contribute to MDD pathogenesis is significant. In this article, we delve into the immunomodulatory role of ADEVs, their potential impact on peripheral immune cells, and how their microRNA (miRNA) landscape may hold the key to controlling immune cell activity. Together, these mechanisms may constitute an opportunity to develop novel therapeutic pharmacological approaches to tackle mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Luarte
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile.
| | - Gino Nardocci
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics Lab, Program in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Ankush Chakraborty
- Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Luis Federico Batiz
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Karina Pino-Lagos
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile
| | - Úrsula Wyneken
- Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; Program in Neuroscience, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago 7620001, Chile; IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago 7620001, Chile.
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Zoicas I, Mühle C, Schumacher F, Kleuser B, Kornhuber J. Development of Comorbid Depression after Social Fear Conditioning in Mice and Its Effects on Brain Sphingolipid Metabolism. Cells 2023; 12:1355. [PMID: 37408189 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, there are no animal models for studying both specific social fear and social fear with comorbidities. Here, we investigated whether social fear conditioning (SFC), an animal model with face, predictive and construct validity for social anxiety disorder (SAD), leads to the development of comorbidities at a later stage over the course of the disease and how this affects the brain sphingolipid metabolism. SFC altered both the emotional behavior and the brain sphingolipid metabolism in a time-point-dependent manner. While social fear was not accompanied by changes in non-social anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior for at least two to three weeks, a comorbid depressive-like behavior developed five weeks after SFC. These different pathologies were accompanied by different alterations in the brain sphingolipid metabolism. Specific social fear was accompanied by increased activity of ceramidases in the ventral hippocampus and ventral mesencephalon and by small changes in sphingolipid levels in the dorsal hippocampus. Social fear with comorbid depression, however, altered the activity of sphingomyelinases and ceramidases as well as the sphingolipid levels and sphingolipid ratios in most of the investigated brain regions. This suggests that changes in the brain sphingolipid metabolism might be related to the short- and long-term pathophysiology of SAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Zoicas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Fabian Schumacher
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Burkhard Kleuser
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Mühle C, Kornhuber J. Characterization of a Neutral Sphingomyelinase Activity in Human Serum and Plasma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032467. [PMID: 36768790 PMCID: PMC9916453 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Alterations of sphingolipids and their metabolizing enzymes play a role in various diseases. However, peripheral biomarkers for such changes are limited. Particularly, in the increasingly reported involvement of neutral sphingomyelinase (NSM) with four described isoforms in tissues or cells, a peripheral marker is lacking. We here describe the detection of an NSM activity in human serum and plasma samples which hydrolyses fluorescently labeled sphingomyelin to ceramide in a time- and volume-dependent manner. Reaction rates were linear up to 10 days, and serum volumes above 2 vol-% were inhibitory. Biochemical properties were different from acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) with respect to detergent specificity (sodium deoxycholate), pH profile (pH 7-9), and cation dependence: Serum NSM activity was inhibited by EDTA ≥ 1 µM and restored in EDTA-anticoagulated plasma with the addition of ≥ 100 µM Co2+. It was independent of Mg2+, the typical cofactor of cellular NSM species, and even inhibited by [Mg2+] ≥ 20 mM. Serum NSM activity was not correlated with ASM activity and was independent of sex and age in 24 healthy adults. Since human peripheral NSM activity is very low and activities in rodents are even lower or undetectable, future research should aim to increase the reaction rate and determine the source of this enzymatic activity. The established activity could serve as a future biomarker or therapeutic target in diseases affected by sphingolipid derangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Mühle
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-85-44738; Fax: +49-9131-85-36381
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7
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Zhang Z, Zhang C, Li Y, Wang C, Yu Q. Lipid and metabolic alteration involvement in physiotherapy for chronic nonspecific low back pain. Lipids Health Dis 2022; 21:125. [PMID: 36434687 PMCID: PMC9700977 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-022-01737-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic nonspecific low back pain (cNLBP) is a common health problem worldwide, affecting 65-80% of the population and greatly affecting people's quality of life and productivity. It also causes huge economic losses. Manual therapy (MT) and therapeutic exercise (TE) are effective treatment options for cNLBP physiotherapy-based treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms that promote cNLBP amelioration by MT or TE are incompletely understood. METHODS Seventeen recruited subjects were randomly divided into an MT group and a TE group. Subjects in the MT group performed muscular relaxation, myofascial release, and mobilization for 20 min during each treatment session. The treatment lasted for a total of six sessions, once every two days. Subjects in the TE group completed motor control and core stability exercises for 30 min during each treatment session. The motor control exercise included stretching of the trunk and extremity muscles through trunk and hip rotation and flexion training. Stabilization exercises consisted of the (1) bridge exercise, (2) single-leg-lift bridge exercise, (3) side bridge exercise, (4) two-point bird-dog position with an elevated contralateral leg and arm, (5) bear crawl exercise, and (6) dead bug exercise. The treatment lasted for a total of six sessions, with one session every two days. Serum samples were collected from subjects before and after physiotherapy-based treatment for lipidomic and metabolomic measurements. RESULTS Through lipidomic analysis, we found that the phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine (PC/PE) ratio decreased and the sphingomyelin/ceramide (SM/Cer) ratio increased in cNLBP patients after MT or TE treatment. In addition, eight metabolites enriched in pyrimidine and purine differed significantly in cNLBP patients who received MT treatment. A total of nine metabolites enriched in pyrimidine, tyrosine, and galactose pathways differed significantly in cNLBP patients after TE treatment during metabolomics analysis. CONCLUSION Our study was the first to elucidate the alterations in the lipidomics and metabolomics of cNLBP physiotherapy-based treatment and can expand our knowledge of cNLBP physiotherapy-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Zhang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chanjuan Zhang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yuelong Li
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chuhuai Wang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275 Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Qiuhua Yu
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, 510275 Guangzhou, P. R. China
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Supplementation with milk fat globule membrane from early life reduces maternal separation-induced visceral pain independent of enteric nervous system or intestinal permeability changes in the rat. Neuropharmacology 2022; 210:109026. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Rahimian R, Belliveau C, Chen R, Mechawar N. Microglial Inflammatory-Metabolic Pathways and Their Potential Therapeutic Implication in Major Depressive Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:871997. [PMID: 35782423 PMCID: PMC9245023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.871997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence supports the notion that neuroinflammation plays a critical role in the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), at least in a subset of patients. By virtue of their capacity to transform into reactive states in response to inflammatory insults, microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, play a pivotal role in the induction of neuroinflammation. Experimental studies have demonstrated the ability of microglia to recognize pathogens or damaged cells, leading to the activation of a cytotoxic response that exacerbates damage to brain cells. However, microglia display a wide range of responses to injury and may also promote resolution stages of inflammation and tissue regeneration. MDD has been associated with chronic priming of microglia. Recent studies suggest that altered microglial morphology and function, caused either by intense inflammatory activation or by senescence, may contribute to depression and associated impairments in neuroplasticity. In this context, modifying microglia phenotype by tuning inflammatory pathways might have important translational relevance to harness neuroinflammation in MDD. Interestingly, it was recently shown that different microglial phenotypes are associated with distinct metabolic pathways and analysis of the underlying molecular mechanisms points to an instrumental role for energy metabolism in shaping microglial functions. Here, we review various canonical pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory and metabolic pathways in microglia that may provide new therapeutic opportunities to control neuroinflammation in brain disorders, with a strong focus on MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Rahimian
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Verdun, QC, Canada
| | - Claudia Belliveau
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Verdun, QC, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rebecca Chen
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Verdun, QC, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Naguib Mechawar
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Verdun, QC, Canada.,Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Labus JS, Mayer EA, Tillisch K, Aagaard KM, Stains J, Broniowska K, Van Remortel C, Tun G, Rapkin A. Dysregulation in Sphingolipid Signaling Pathways is Associated With Symptoms and Functional Connectivity of Pain Processing Brain Regions in Provoked Vestibulodynia. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2021; 22:1586-1605. [PMID: 34029688 PMCID: PMC10460622 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2021.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by local hypersensitivity and severe pain with pressure localized to the vulvar vestibule. Despite decades of study, the lack of identified biomarkers has slowed the development of effective therapies. The primary aim of this study was to use metabolomics to identify novel biochemical mechanisms in vagina and blood underlying brain biomarkers and symptoms in PVD, thereby closing this knowledge gap. Using a cross-sectional case-control observational study design, untargeted and unbiased metabolomic profiling of vaginal fluid and plasma was performed in women with PVD compared to healthy controls. In women with PVD, we also obtained assessments of vulvar pain, vestibular and vaginal muscle tenderness, and 24-hour symptom intensity alongside resting-state brain functional connectivity of brain regions involved in pain processing and modulation. Compared to healthy controls, women with PVD demonstrated differences primarily in vaginal (but not plasma) concentrations of metabolites of the sphingolipid signaling pathways, suggesting localized effects in vagina and vulvar vestibule rather than systemic effects. Our findings reveal that dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism in PVD is associated with increased vulvar pain and muscle tenderness, sexual dysfunction, and decreased functional connectivity strength in pain processing/modulatory brain regions. This data collectively suggests that alterations in sphingolipid signaling pathways are likely an important molecular biomarker in PVD that could lead to new targets for therapeutic intervention. PERSPECTIVE: This manuscript presents the results of a robust, unbiased molecular assessment of plasma and vaginal fluid samples in women with provoked vestibulodynia compared to healthy controls. The findings suggest that alterations in sphingolipid signaling pathways are associated with symptoms and brain biomarkers and may be an important molecular marker that could provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Labus
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California; Brain Research Institute UCLA, Gonda (Goldschmied) Neuroscience and Genetics Research Center, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Emeran A Mayer
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kirsten Tillisch
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kjersti M Aagaard
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Bioinformatics Research Laboratory, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jean Stains
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Charlotte Van Remortel
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Guistinna Tun
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Andrea Rapkin
- G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, California
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11
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Sphingolipid and Endocannabinoid Profiles in Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9091173. [PMID: 34572359 PMCID: PMC8467584 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9091173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Genes encoding endocannabinoid and sphingolipid metabolism pathways were suggested to contribute to the genetic risk towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present pilot study assessed plasma concentrations of candidate endocannabinoids, sphingolipids and ceramides in individuals with adult ADHD in comparison with healthy controls and patients with affective disorders. Targeted lipid analyses of 23 different lipid species were performed in 71 mental disorder patients and 98 healthy controls (HC). The patients were diagnosed with adult ADHD (n = 12), affective disorder (major depression, MD n = 16 or bipolar disorder, BD n = 6) or adult ADHD with comorbid affective disorders (n = 37). Canonical discriminant analysis and CHAID analyses were used to identify major components that predicted the diagnostic group. ADHD patients had increased plasma concentrations of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P d18:1) and sphinganine-1-phosphate (S1P d18:0). In addition, the endocannabinoids, anandamide (AEA) and arachidonoylglycerol were increased. MD/BD patients had increased long chain ceramides, most prominently Cer22:0, but low endocannabinoids in contrast to ADHD patients. Patients with ADHD and comorbid affective disorders displayed increased S1P d18:1 and increased Cer22:0, but the individual lipid levels were lower than in the non-comorbid disorders. Sphingolipid profiles differ between patients suffering from ADHD and affective disorders, with overlapping patterns in comorbid patients. The S1P d18:1 to Cer22:0 ratio may constitute a diagnostic or prognostic tool.
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12
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Rohrhofer J, Zwirzitz B, Selberherr E, Untersmayr E. The Impact of Dietary Sphingolipids on Intestinal Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Immune Homeostasis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:635704. [PMID: 34054805 PMCID: PMC8160510 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.635704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The large surfaces of gastrointestinal (GI) organs are well adapted to their diverse tasks of selective nutritional uptake and defense against the external environment. To maintain a functional balance, a vast number of immune cells is located within the mucosa. A strictly regulated immune response is required to impede constant inflammation and to maintain barrier function. An increasing prevalence of GI diseases has been reported in Western societies over the past decades. This surge in GI disorders has been linked to dietary changes followed by an imbalance of the gut microbiome, leading to a chronic, low grade inflammation of the gut epithelium. To counteract the increasing health care costs associated with diseases, it is paramount to understand the mechanisms driving immuno-nutrition, the associations between nutritional compounds, the commensal gut microbiota, and the host immune response. Dietary compounds such as lipids, play a central role in GI barrier function. Bioactive sphingolipids (SLs), e.g. sphingomyelin (SM), sphingosine (Sph), ceramide (Cer), sphingosine-1- phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) may derive from dietary SLs ingested through the diet. They are not only integral components of cell membranes, they additionally modulate cell trafficking and are precursors for mediators and second messenger molecules. By regulating intracellular calcium levels, cell motility, cell proliferation and apoptosis, SL metabolites have been described to influence GI immune homeostasis positively and detrimentally. Furthermore, dietary SLs are suggested to induce a shift in the gut microbiota. Modes of action range from competing with the commensal bacteria for intestinal cell attachment to prevention from pathogen invasion by regulating innate and immediate defense mechanisms. SL metabolites can also be produced by gut microorganisms, directly impacting host metabolic pathways. This review aims to summarize recent findings on SL signaling and functional variations of dietary SLs. We highlight novel insights in SL homeostasis and SL impact on GI barrier function, which is directly linked to changes of the intestinal microbiota. Knowledge gaps in current literature will be discussed to address questions relevant for understanding the pivotal role of dietary SLs on chronic, low grade inflammation and to define a balanced and healthy diet for disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Rohrhofer
- Gastrointestinal Immunology Group, Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benjamin Zwirzitz
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Evelyne Selberherr
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Untersmayr
- Gastrointestinal Immunology Group, Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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13
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Rao X, Thapa KS, Chen AB, Lin H, Gao H, Reiter JL, Hargreaves KA, Ipe J, Lai D, Xuei X, Wang Y, Gu H, Kapoor M, Farris SP, Tischfield J, Foroud T, Goate AM, Skaar TC, Mayfield RD, Edenberg HJ, Liu Y. Allele-specific expression and high-throughput reporter assay reveal functional genetic variants associated with alcohol use disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1142-1151. [PMID: 31477794 PMCID: PMC7050407 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0508-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of complex traits, such as alcohol use disorders (AUD), usually identify variants in non-coding regions and cannot by themselves distinguish whether the associated variants are functional or in linkage disequilibrium with the functional variants. Transcriptome studies can identify genes whose expression differs between alcoholics and controls. To test which variants associated with AUD may cause expression differences, we integrated data from deep RNA-seq and GWAS of four postmortem brain regions from 30 subjects with AUD and 30 controls to analyze allele-specific expression (ASE). We identified 88 genes with differential ASE in subjects with AUD compared to controls. Next, to test one potential mechanism contributing to the differential ASE, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3' untranslated regions (3'UTR) of these genes. Of the 88 genes with differential ASE, 61 genes contained 437 SNPs in the 3'UTR with at least one heterozygote among the subjects studied. Using a modified PASSPORT-seq (parallel assessment of polymorphisms in miRNA target-sites by sequencing) assay, we identified 25 SNPs that affected RNA levels in a consistent manner in two neuroblastoma cell lines, SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE(2). Many of these SNPs are in binding sites of miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins, indicating that these SNPs are likely causal variants of AUD-associated differential ASE. In sum, we demonstrate that a combination of computational and experimental approaches provides a powerful strategy to uncover functionally relevant variants associated with the risk for AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Rao
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kriti S Thapa
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Andy B Chen
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hai Lin
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hongyu Gao
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jill L Reiter
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Katherine A Hargreaves
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Joseph Ipe
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dongbing Lai
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Xiaoling Xuei
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Hongmei Gu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Manav Kapoor
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sean P Farris
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jay Tischfield
- Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Tatiana Foroud
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Alison M Goate
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Todd C Skaar
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - R Dayne Mayfield
- Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Howard J Edenberg
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Neutral sphingomyelinase mediates the co-morbidity trias of alcohol abuse, major depression and bone defects. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7403-7416. [PMID: 34584229 PMCID: PMC8872992 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01304-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mental disorders are highly comorbid and occur together with physical diseases, which are often considered to arise from separate pathogenic pathways. We observed in alcohol-dependent patients increased serum activity of neutral sphingomyelinase. A genetic association analysis in 456,693 volunteers found associations of haplotypes of SMPD3 coding for NSM-2 (NSM) with alcohol consumption, but also with affective state, and bone mineralisation. Functional analysis in mice showed that NSM controls alcohol consumption, affective behaviour, and their interaction by regulating hippocampal volume, cortical connectivity, and monoaminergic responses. Furthermore, NSM controlled bone-brain communication by enhancing osteocalcin signalling, which can independently supress alcohol consumption and reduce depressive behaviour. Altogether, we identified a single gene source for multiple pathways originating in the brain and bone, which interlink disorders of a mental-physical co-morbidity trias of alcohol abuse-depression/anxiety-bone disorder. Targeting NSM and osteocalcin signalling may, thus, provide a new systems approach in the treatment of a mental-physical co-morbidity trias.
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Langeslag M, Kress M. The ceramide-S1P pathway as a druggable target to alleviate peripheral neuropathic pain. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:869-884. [PMID: 32589067 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1787989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Neuropathic pain disorders are diverse, and the currently available therapies are ineffective in the majority of cases. Therefore, there is a major need for gaining novel mechanistic insights and developing new treatment strategies for neuropathic pain. Areas covered: We performed an in-depth literature search on the molecular mechanisms and systemic importance of the ceramide-to-S1P rheostat regulating neuron function and neuroimmune interactions in the development of neuropathic pain. Expert opinion: The S1P receptor modulator FTY720 (fingolimod, Gilenya®), LPA receptor antagonists and several mechanistically related compounds in clinical development raise great expectations for treating neuropathic pain disorders. Research on S1P receptors, S1P receptor modulators or SPHK inhibitors with distinct selectivity, pharmacokinetics and safety must provide more mechanistic insight into whether they may qualify as useful treatment options for neuropathic pain disorders. The functional relevance of genetic variations within the ceramide-to-S1P rheostat should be explored for an enhanced understanding of neuropathic pain pathogenesis. The ceramide-to-S1P rheostat is emerging as a critically important regulator hub of neuroimmune interactions along the pain pathway, and improved mechanistic insight is required to develop more precise and effective drug treatment options for patients suffering from neuropathic pain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Langeslag
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Michaela Kress
- Institute of Physiology, DPMP, Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
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16
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De Simone R, Butera A, Armida M, Pezzola A, Boirivant M, Potenza RL, Ricceri L. Beneficial Effects of Fingolimod on Social Interaction, CNS and Peripheral Immune Response in the BTBR Mouse Model of Autism. Neuroscience 2020; 435:22-32. [PMID: 32229233 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social communication deficits and repetitive/stereotyped behaviours. We evaluated the effects of a chronic treatment with the immunomodulator drug Fingolimod (FTY720 - a non-selective Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor ligand) in an ASD model, the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain. In adult BTBR males, chronic FTY720 treatment (4 weeks) increased social and vocal response during a male-female interaction and hippocampal expression of BDNF and Neuregulin 1, two trophic factors reduced in BTBR when compared to control C57 mice. FTY720 also re-established the expression of IL-1β and MnSOD in the hippocampus, whereas it did not modify IL-6 mRNA content. In addition to its central effect, FTY720 modulated the activation state of peripheral macrophages in the BTBR model, both in basal conditions and after stimulation with an immune challenge. Furthermore, IL-6 mRNA colonic content of BTBR mice, reduced when compared with C57 mice, was normalized by chronic treatment with FTY720. Our study, while indicating FTY720 as a tool to attenuate relevant alterations of the BTBR neurobehavioural phenotype, emphasizes the importance of gut mucosal immune evaluation as an additional target that deserve to be investigated in preclinical studies of anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta De Simone
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Butera
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Armida
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Pezzola
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Boirivant
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Luisa Potenza
- National Centre for Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Ricceri
- Centre for Behavioural Science and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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17
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Alemany-Navarro M, Cruz R, Real E, Segalàs C, Bertolín S, Rabionet R, Carracedo Á, Menchón JM, Alonso P. Looking into the genetic bases of OCD dimensions: a pilot genome-wide association study. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:151. [PMID: 32424139 PMCID: PMC7235014 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0804-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The multidimensional nature of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been consistently reported. Clinical and biological characteristics have been associated with OCD dimensions in different ways. Studies suggest the existence of specific genetic bases for the different OCD dimensions. In this study, we analyze the genomic markers, genes, gene ontology and biological pathways associated with the presence of aggressive/checking, symmetry/order, contamination/cleaning, hoarding, and sexual/religious symptoms, as assessed via the Dimensional Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (DY-BOCS) in 399 probands. Logistic regression analyses were performed at the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) level. Gene-based and enrichment analyses were carried out for common (SNPs) and rare variants. No SNP was associated with any dimension at a genome-wide level (p < 5 × 10-8). Gene-based analyses showed one gene to be associated with hoarding (SETD3, p = 1.89 × 10-08); a gene highly expressed in the brain and which plays a role in apoptotic processes and transcriptomic changes, and another gene associated with aggressive symptoms (CPE; p = 4.42 × 10-6), which is involved in neurotrophic functions and the synthesis of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters. Different pathways or biological processes were represented by genes associated with aggressive (zinc ion response and lipid metabolism), order (lipid metabolism), sexual/religious (G protein-mediated processes) and hoarding (metabolic processes and anion transport) symptoms after FDR correction; while no pathway was associated with contamination. Specific genomic bases were found for each dimension assessed, especially in the enrichment analyses. Further research with larger samples and different techniques, such as next-generation sequencing, are needed to better understand the differential genetics of OCD dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Alemany-Navarro
- Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. .,OCD Clinical and Research Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain. .,Department of Clinical Sciences, Bellvitge Campus, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Raquel Cruz
- grid.11794.3a0000000109410645Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIBERER, Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Eva Real
- grid.418284.30000 0004 0427 2257Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.411129.e0000 0000 8836 0780OCD Clinical and Research Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBERSAM (Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Cinto Segalàs
- grid.418284.30000 0004 0427 2257Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.411129.e0000 0000 8836 0780OCD Clinical and Research Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBERSAM (Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sara Bertolín
- grid.411129.e0000 0000 8836 0780OCD Clinical and Research Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Rabionet
- Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona (IBUB), CIBERER, and Dept. Genetics, Microbiology & Statistics, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ángel Carracedo
- grid.11794.3a0000000109410645Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, CIBERER, Centre for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain ,Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, SERGAS, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Jose M. Menchón
- grid.418284.30000 0004 0427 2257Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.411129.e0000 0000 8836 0780OCD Clinical and Research Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Clinical Sciences, Bellvitge Campus, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBERSAM (Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pino Alonso
- grid.411129.e0000 0000 8836 0780OCD Clinical and Research Unit, Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.5841.80000 0004 1937 0247Department of Clinical Sciences, Bellvitge Campus, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.413448.e0000 0000 9314 1427CIBERSAM (Centro de Investigación en Red de Salud Mental), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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18
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Zoicas I, Mühle C, Schmidtner AK, Gulbins E, Neumann ID, Kornhuber J. Anxiety and Depression Are Related to Higher Activity of Sphingolipid Metabolizing Enzymes in the Rat Brain. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051239. [PMID: 32429522 PMCID: PMC7290887 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in sphingolipid metabolism have been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of major depression. In this study, we investigated the activity of acid and neutral sphingomyelinases (ASM, NSM) and ceramidases (AC, NC), respectively, in twelve brain regions of female rats selectively bred for high (HAB) versus low (LAB) anxiety-like behavior. Concomitant with their highly anxious and depressive-like phenotype, HAB rats showed increased activity of ASM and NSM as well as of AC and NC in multiple brain regions associated with anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, including the lateral septum, hypothalamus, ventral hippocampus, ventral and dorsal mesencephalon. Strong correlations between anxiety-like behavior and ASM activity were found in female HAB rats in the amygdala, ventral hippocampus and dorsal mesencephalon, whereas NSM activity correlated with anxiety levels in the dorsal mesencephalon. These results provide novel information about the sphingolipid metabolism, especially about the sphingomyelinases and ceramidases, in major depression and comorbid anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Zoicas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (C.M.); (J.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-9131-85-46005; Fax: +49-9131-85-36381
| | - Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (C.M.); (J.K.)
| | - Anna K. Schmidtner
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany; (A.K.S.); (I.D.N.)
- Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
| | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, University of Regensburg, 93040 Regensburg, Germany; (A.K.S.); (I.D.N.)
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (C.M.); (J.K.)
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Importin α5 Regulates Anxiety through MeCP2 and Sphingosine Kinase 1. Cell Rep 2019; 25:3169-3179.e7. [PMID: 30540948 PMCID: PMC6302549 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.11.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Importins mediate transport from synapse to soma and from cytoplasm to nucleus, suggesting that perturbation of importin-dependent pathways should have significant neuronal consequences. A behavioral screen on five importin α knockout lines revealed that reduced expression of importin α5 (KPNA1) in hippocampal neurons specifically decreases anxiety in mice. Re-expression of importin α5 in ventral hippocampus of knockout animals increased anxiety behaviors to wild-type levels. Hippocampal neurons lacking importin α5 reveal changes in presynaptic plasticity and modified expression of MeCP2-regulated genes, including sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1). Knockout of importin α5, but not importin α3 or α4, reduces MeCP2 nuclear localization in hippocampal neurons. A Sphk1 blocker reverses anxiolysis in the importin α5 knockout mouse, while pharmacological activation of sphingosine signaling has robust anxiolytic effects in wild-type animals. Thus, importin α5 influences sphingosine-sensitive anxiety pathways by regulating MeCP2 nuclear import in hippocampal neurons. Reduced expression of importin α5 in hippocampal neurons decreases anxiety Importin α5 is required for nuclear localization of MeCP2 in hippocampal neurons Importin α5 knockout increases expression of Sphk1, an MeCP2-regulated gene Pharmacological modulation of Sphk1 and the S1P receptor affects anxiety
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20
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Somvanshi PR, Mellon SH, Flory JD, Abu-Amara D, Wolkowitz OM, Yehuda R, Jett M, Hood L, Marmar C, Doyle FJ. Mechanistic inferences on metabolic dysfunction in posttraumatic stress disorder from an integrated model and multiomic analysis: role of glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2019; 317:E879-E898. [PMID: 31322414 PMCID: PMC6879860 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00065.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with neuroendocrine alterations and metabolic abnormalities; however, how metabolism is affected by neuroendocrine disturbances is unclear. The data from combat-exposed veterans with PTSD show increased glycolysis to lactate flux, reduced TCA cycle flux, impaired amino acid and lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, and hypersensitive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To analyze whether the co-occurrence of multiple metabolic abnormalities is independent or arises from an underlying regulatory defect, we employed a systems biological approach using an integrated mathematical model and multiomic analysis. The models for hepatic metabolism, HPA axis, inflammation, and regulatory signaling were integrated to perform metabolic control analysis (MCA) with respect to the observations from our clinical data. We combined the metabolomics, neuroendocrine, clinical laboratory, and cytokine data from combat-exposed veterans with and without PTSD to characterize the differences in regulatory effects. MCA revealed mechanistic association of the HPA axis and inflammation with metabolic dysfunction consistent with PTSD. This was supported by the data using correlational and causal analysis that revealed significant associations between cortisol suppression, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, γ-glutamyltransferase, hypoxanthine, and several metabolites. Causal mediation analysis indicates that the effects of enhanced glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity (GRS) on glycolytic pathway, gluconeogenic and branched-chain amino acids, triglycerides, and hepatic function are jointly mediated by inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and energy deficit. Our analysis suggests that the interventions to normalize GRS and inflammation may help to manage features of metabolic dysfunction in PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramod R Somvanshi
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Synthia H Mellon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Janine D Flory
- Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Duna Abu-Amara
- Department of Psychiatry, New York Langone Medical School, New York, New York
| | - Owen M Wolkowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- Department of Psychiatry, James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Marti Jett
- Integrative Systems Biology, US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, US Army Center for Environmental Health Research, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland
| | - Leroy Hood
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, Washington
| | - Charles Marmar
- Department of Psychiatry, New York Langone Medical School, New York, New York
| | - Francis J Doyle
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Wigger D, Gulbins E, Kleuser B, Schumacher F. Monitoring the Sphingolipid de novo Synthesis by Stable-Isotope Labeling and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:210. [PMID: 31632963 PMCID: PMC6779703 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are a class of lipids that share a sphingoid base backbone. They exert various effects in eukaryotes, ranging from structural roles in plasma membranes to cellular signaling. De novo sphingolipid synthesis takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the condensation of the activated C16 fatty acid palmitoyl-CoA and the amino acid L-serine is catalyzed by serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT). The product, 3-ketosphinganine, is then converted into more complex sphingolipids by additional ER-bound enzymes, resulting in the formation of ceramides. Since sphingolipid homeostasis is crucial to numerous cellular functions, improved assessment of sphingolipid metabolism will be key to better understanding several human diseases. To date, no assay exists capable of monitoring de novo synthesis sphingolipid in its entirety. Here, we have established a cell-free assay utilizing rat liver microsomes containing all the enzymes necessary for bottom-up synthesis of ceramides. Following lipid extraction, we were able to track the different intermediates of the sphingolipid metabolism pathway, namely 3-ketosphinganine, sphinganine, dihydroceramide, and ceramide. This was achieved by chromatographic separation of sphingolipid metabolites followed by detection of their accurate mass and characteristic fragmentations through high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem-mass spectrometry. We were able to distinguish, unequivocally, between de novo synthesized sphingolipids and intrinsic species, inevitably present in the microsome preparations, through the addition of stable isotope-labeled palmitate-d3 and L-serine-d3. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a method monitoring the entirety of ER-associated sphingolipid biosynthesis. Proof-of-concept data was provided by modulating the levels of supplied cofactors (e.g., NADPH) or the addition of specific enzyme inhibitors (e.g., fumonisin B1). The presented microsomal assay may serve as a useful tool for monitoring alterations in sphingolipid de novo synthesis in cells or tissues. Additionally, our methodology may be used for metabolism studies of atypical substrates - naturally occurring or chemically tailored - as well as novel inhibitors of enzymes involved in sphingolipid de novo synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Wigger
- Department of Toxicology, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Burkhard Kleuser
- Department of Toxicology, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Fabian Schumacher
- Department of Toxicology, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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22
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Grassi S, Mauri L, Prioni S, Cabitta L, Sonnino S, Prinetti A, Giussani P. Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptors and Metabolic Enzymes as Druggable Targets for Brain Diseases. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:807. [PMID: 31427962 PMCID: PMC6689979 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system is characterized by a high content of sphingolipids and by a high diversity in terms of different structures. Stage- and cell-specific sphingolipid metabolism and expression are crucial for brain development and maintenance toward adult age. On the other hand, deep dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism, leading to altered sphingolipid pattern, is associated with the majority of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, even those totally lacking a common etiological background. Thus, sphingolipid metabolism has always been regarded as a promising pharmacological target for the treatment of brain disorders. However, any therapeutic hypothesis applied to complex amphipathic sphingolipids, components of cellular membranes, has so far failed probably because of the high regional complexity and specificity of the different biological roles of these structures. Simpler sphingosine-based lipids, including ceramide and sphingosine 1-phosphate, are important regulators of brain homeostasis, and, thanks to the relative simplicity of their metabolic network, they seem a feasible druggable target for the treatment of brain diseases. The enzymes involved in the control of the levels of bioactive sphingoids, as well as the receptors engaged by these molecules, have increasingly allured pharmacologists and clinicians, and eventually fingolimod, a functional antagonist of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors with immunomodulatory properties, was approved for the therapy of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Considering the importance of neuroinflammation in many other brain diseases, we would expect an extension of the use of such analogs for the treatment of other ailments in the future. Nevertheless, many aspects other than neuroinflammation are regulated by bioactive sphingoids in healthy brain and dysregulated in brain disease. In this review, we are addressing the multifaceted possibility to address the metabolism and biology of bioactive sphingosine 1-phosphate as novel targets for the development of therapeutic paradigms and the discovery of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Grassi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Mauri
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Simona Prioni
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Livia Cabitta
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Sonnino
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Prinetti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Giussani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Secretory Acid Sphingomyelinase in the Serum of Medicated Patients Predicts the Prospective Course of Depression. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8060846. [PMID: 31200571 PMCID: PMC6617165 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8060846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent and devastating psychiatric illness with strong individual and societal burdens. However, biomarkers to improve the limited preventive and therapeutic approaches are scarce. Multilevel evidence suggests that the pathophysiological involvement of sphingolipids particularly increases the levels of ceramides and the ceramide hydrolyzing enzyme, acid sphingomyelinase. The activity of secretory acid sphingomyelinase (S-ASM) and routine blood parameters were determined in the serum of patients with current (unmedicated n = 63, medicated n = 66) and remitted (n = 39) MDD and healthy subjects (n = 61). Depression severity and anxiety and their 3-weeks prospective course of treatment were assessed by psychometric inventories. S-ASM activity was not different between the four groups, did not decrease during treatment, and was not lower in individuals taking medication that functionally inhibited ASM. However, S-ASM correlated positively with depression severity only in remitted patients. High enzyme activity at inclusion predicted milder clinician-evaluated and self-rated depression severity (HAM-D, MADRS, BDI-II) and state anxiety at follow-up, and was related to stronger improvement in these scores in medicated patients. S-ASM was strongly and contrariwise associated with serum lipids in unmedicated and medicated females. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathomechanisms underlying depression and the development of clinical strategies and biomarkers.
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Matanes F, Twal WO, Hammad SM. Sphingolipids as Biomarkers of Disease. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1159:109-138. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21162-2_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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25
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Mühle C, Weinland C, Gulbins E, Lenz B, Kornhuber J. Peripheral Acid Sphingomyelinase Activity Is Associated with Biomarkers and Phenotypes of Alcohol Use and Dependence in Patients and Healthy Controls. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19124028. [PMID: 30551571 PMCID: PMC6320816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19124028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
By catalyzing the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) changes the local composition of the plasma membrane with effects on receptor-mediated signaling. Altered enzyme activities have been noted in common human diseases, including alcohol dependence. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unresolved. Blood samples were collected from early-abstinent alcohol-dependent in-patients (n[♂] = 113, n[♀] = 87) and matched healthy controls (n[♂] = 133, n[♀] = 107), and analyzed for routine blood parameters and serum ASM activity. We confirmed increased secretory ASM activities in alcohol-dependent patients compared to healthy control subjects, which decreased slightly during detoxification. ASM activity correlated positively with blood alcohol concentration, withdrawal severity, biomarkers of alcohol dependence (liver enzyme activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase; homocysteine, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin; mean corpuscular volume, and creatine kinase). ASM activity correlated negatively with leukocyte and thrombocyte counts. ASM and gamma-glutamyl transferase were also associated in healthy subjects. Most effects were similar for males and females with different strengths. We describe previously unreported associations between ASM activity and markers of liver damage and myelosuppression. Further research should investigate whether this relationship is causal, or whether these parameters are part of a common pathway in order to gain insights into underlying mechanisms and develop clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Mühle
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Christian Weinland
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, D-45259 Essen, Germany.
- Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0558, USA.
| | - Bernd Lenz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Johannes Kornhuber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), D-91054 Erlangen, Germany.
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26
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Nemkov T, Reisz JA, Xia Y, Zimring JC, D’Alessandro A. Red blood cells as an organ? How deep omics characterization of the most abundant cell in the human body highlights other systemic metabolic functions beyond oxygen transport. Expert Rev Proteomics 2018; 15:855-864. [DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2018.1531710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Travis Nemkov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver – Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Julie A. Reisz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver – Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Yang Xia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Houston – McGovern Medical School , Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Angelo D’Alessandro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver – Aurora, CO, USA
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27
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Wu H, Zhang Q, Gao J, Sun C, Wang J, Xia W, Cao Y, Hao Y, Wu L. Modulation of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) attenuates spatial learning and memory impairments in the valproic acid rat model of autism. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:873-886. [PMID: 29218394 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4805-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a set of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that manifest in early childhood, and it is growing up to be a major cause of disability in children. However, the etiology and treatment of ASD are not well understood. In our previous study, we found that serum levels of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) were increased significantly in children with autism, indicating that S1P levels may be involved in ASD. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify a link between increased levels of S1P and neurobehavioral changes in autism. METHODS We utilized a valproic acid (VPA) -induced rat model of autism to evaluate the levels of S1P and the expression of sphingosine kinase (SphK), a key enzyme for S1P production, in serum and hippocampal tissue. Furthermore, we assessed cognitive functional changes and histopathological and neurochemical alterations in VPA-exposed rats after SphK blockade to explore the possible link between increased levels of S1P and neurobehavioral changes in autism. RESULTS We found that SphK2 and S1P are upregulated in hippocampal tissue from VPA-exposed rats, while pharmacological inhibition of SphK reduced S1P levels, attenuated spatial learning and memory impairments, increased the expression of phosphorylated CaMKII and CREB and autophagy-related proteins, inhibited cytochrome c release, decreased the expression of apoptosis related proteins, and protected against neuronal loss in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION We have demonstrated that an increased level of SphK2/S1P is involved in the spatial learning and memory impairments of autism, and this signaling pathway represents a novel therapeutic target and direction for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmei Wu
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University in Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, 163319, China
| | - Quanzhi Zhang
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University in Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, 163319, China.,Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Jingquan Gao
- Department of Nursing, Harbin Medical University in Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, 163319, China
| | - Caihong Sun
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Yonggang Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University in Daqing, Daqing, Heilongjiang, 163319, China
| | - Yanqiu Hao
- Department of pediatrics, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China.
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28
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Britten CD, Garrett-Mayer E, Chin SH, Shirai K, Ogretmen B, Bentz TA, Brisendine A, Anderton K, Cusack SL, Maines LW, Zhuang Y, Smith CD, Thomas MB. A Phase I Study of ABC294640, a First-in-Class Sphingosine Kinase-2 Inhibitor, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2017; 23:4642-4650. [PMID: 28420720 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-2363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Sphingosine kinases (SK1 and SK2) regulate tumor growth by generating the mitogenic and proinflammatory lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). This phase I study investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and antitumor activity of ABC294640, a first-in-class orally available inhibitor of SK2.Experimental Design: Escalating doses of ABC294640 were administered orally to patients with advanced solid tumors in sequential cohorts at the following dose levels: 250 mg qd, 250 mg bid, 500 mg bid, and 750 mg bid, continuously in cycles of 28 days. Serial blood samples were obtained to measure ABC294640 concentrations and sphingolipid profiles.Results: Twenty-two patients were enrolled, and 21 received ABC294640. The most common drug-related toxicities were nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Among the 4 patients at 750 mg bid, one had dose-limiting grade 3 nausea and vomiting, and 2 were unable to complete cycle 1 due to diverse drug-related toxicities. The 500 mg bid dose level was established as the recommended phase II dose. ABC294640 administration resulted in decreases in S1P levels over the first 12 hours, with return to baseline at 24 hours. The best response was a partial response in a patient with cholangiocarcinoma at 250 mg qd, and stable disease was observed in 6 patients with various solid tumors across dose levels.Conclusions: At 500 mg bid, ABC294640 is well tolerated and achieves biologically relevant plasma concentrations. Changes in plasma sphingolipid levels may provide a useful pharmacodynamic biomarker for ABC294640. Clin Cancer Res; 23(16); 4642-50. ©2017 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn D Britten
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Elizabeth Garrett-Mayer
- Department of Population Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Steven H Chin
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Keisuke Shirai
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Tricia A Bentz
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Alan Brisendine
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Kate Anderton
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Susan L Cusack
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
| | - Lynn W Maines
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
| | - Yan Zhuang
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
| | - Charles D Smith
- Apogee Biotechnology Corporation, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.
| | - Melanie B Thomas
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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Dinoff A, Herrmann N, Lanctôt KL. Ceramides and depression: A systematic review. J Affect Disord 2017; 213:35-43. [PMID: 28189963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder is a significant contributor to global disability and mortality. The mechanisms of depression are vast and not fully understood, and as a result current treatment of depression is suboptimal. Aberrant sphingolipid metabolism has been observed in some cases of depression, specifically alterations in ceramide concentrations. The role of ceramides and other sphingolipids in depression is a novel concept. This review summarizes and evaluates the current state of evidence for a role of ceramides in depression pathophysiology and the potential for novel depression pharmacotherapies targeting ceramide metabolism. METHODS Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched through October 2016 for English-language studies using combinations of the search terms: ceramide, depression, sphingolipid, and depressive symptoms. RESULTS Of the 489 articles screened, 14 were included in the qualitative synthesis of this review article. Pre-clinical and clinical evidence suggest that ceramide species may contribute to depression pathophysiology. In human studies, ceramides C18:0 and C20:0 are the species most strongly linked to depression. Evidence for altered ceramide metabolism in depression is present, but data for a causal role of ceramides in depression are lacking. LIMITATIONS This review was limited by potential reporting bias. Furthermore, a lack of specificity of which ceramides were altered in depression was common. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacotherapy targeting ceramide metabolism may be a novel treatment option for depression. A number of pharmacological targets exists for ceramide reduction and a number of currently approved medications inhibit ceramide production. More evidence, pre-clinical and clinical, is warranted to determine the extent and consistency of the role of ceramides in depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Dinoff
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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30
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System-based proteomic and metabonomic analysis of the Df(16)A +/- mouse identifies potential miR-185 targets and molecular pathway alterations. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:384-395. [PMID: 27001617 PMCID: PMC5322275 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Revised: 01/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Deletions on chromosome 22q11.2 are a strong genetic risk factor for development of schizophrenia and cognitive dysfunction. We employed shotgun liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) proteomic and metabonomic profiling approaches on prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampal (HPC) tissue from Df(16)A+/- mice, a model of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Proteomic results were compared with previous transcriptomic profiling studies of the same brain regions. The aim was to investigate how the combined effect of the 22q11.2 deletion and the corresponding miRNA dysregulation affects the cell biology at the systems level. The proteomic brain profiling analysis revealed PFC and HPC changes in various molecular pathways associated with chromatin remodelling and RNA transcription, indicative of an epigenetic component of the 22q11.2DS. Further, alterations in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, mitochondrial function and lipid biosynthesis were identified. Metabonomic profiling substantiated the proteomic findings by identifying changes in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS)-related pathways, such as changes in ceramide phosphoethanolamines, sphingomyelin, carnitines, tyrosine derivates and panthothenic acid. The proteomic findings were confirmed using selected reaction monitoring mass spectrometry, validating decreased levels of several proteins encoded on 22q11.2, increased levels of the computationally predicted putative miR-185 targets UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-peptide N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 110 kDa subunit (OGT1) and kinesin heavy chain isoform 5A and alterations in the non-miR-185 targets serine/threonine-protein phosphatase 2B catalytic subunit gamma isoform, neurofilament light chain and vesicular glutamate transporter 1. Furthermore, alterations in the proteins associated with mammalian target of rapamycin signalling were detected in the PFC and with glutamatergic signalling in the hippocampus. Based on the proteomic and metabonomic findings, we were able to develop a schematic model summarizing the most prominent molecular network findings in the Df(16)A+/- mouse. Interestingly, the implicated pathways can be linked to one of the most consistent and strongest proteomic candidates, (OGT1), which is a predicted miR-185 target. Our results provide novel insights into system-biological mechanisms associated with the 22q11DS, which may be linked to cognitive dysfunction and an increased risk to develop schizophrenia. Further investigation of these pathways could help to identify novel drug targets for the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor therapies: Advances in clinical trials for CNS-related diseases. Neuropharmacology 2017; 113:597-607. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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32
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Castillo RI, Rojo LE, Henriquez-Henriquez M, Silva H, Maturana A, Villar MJ, Fuentes M, Gaspar PA. From Molecules to the Clinic: Linking Schizophrenia and Metabolic Syndrome through Sphingolipids Metabolism. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:488. [PMID: 27877101 PMCID: PMC5100552 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a prevalent and severe comorbidity observed in schizophrenia (SZ). The exact nature of this association is controversial and very often accredited to the effects of psychotropic medications and disease-induced life-style modifications, such as inactive lifestyle, poor dietary choices, and smoking. However, drug therapy and disease-induced lifestyle factors are likely not the only factors contributing to the observed converging nature of these conditions, since an increased prevalence of MS is also observed in first episode and drug-naïve psychosis populations. MS and SZ share common intrinsic susceptibility factors and etiopathogenic mechanisms, which may change the way we approach clinical management of SZ patients. Among the most relevant common pathogenic pathways of SZ and MS are alterations in the sphingolipids (SLs) metabolism and SLs homeostasis. SLs have important structural functions as they participate in the formation of membrane “lipid rafts.” SLs also play physiological roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and inflammatory processes, which might be part of MS/SZ common pathophysiological processes. In this article we review a plausible mechanism to explain the link between MS and SZ through a disruption in SL homeostasis. Additionally, we provide insights on how this hypothesis can lead to the developing of new diagnostic/therapeutic technologies for SZ patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando I Castillo
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - Leonel E Rojo
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcela Henriquez-Henriquez
- Departamento de Laboratorios Clínicos, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile; Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Human Nutrition, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
| | - Hernán Silva
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile; Facultad de Medicina, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Maturana
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - María J Villar
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile Santiago, Chile
| | - Manuel Fuentes
- Departamento de Psiquiatría, Clínica Alemana Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo A Gaspar
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Clínica Psiquiátrica Universitaria, Hospital Clínico Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile; Facultad de Medicina, Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Universidad de ChileSantiago, Chile; Departamento de Psiquiatría, Clínica AlemanaSantiago, Chile
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Xing Y, Tang Y, Zhao L, Wang Q, Qin W, Ji X, Zhang J, Jia J. Associations between plasma ceramides and cognitive and neuropsychiatric manifestations in Parkinson's disease dementia. J Neurol Sci 2016; 370:82-87. [PMID: 27772793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The abnormal metabolism of ceramides may account for the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). However, the effect of ceramides on cognitive domain impairments and neuropsychiatric symptoms of PDD remains unknown. METHODS A total of 38 PDD, 40 PD with no cognitive impairment (PD-NC) and 40 normal controls were included. A series of cognitive tests and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were used to assess cognitive domains and neuropsychiatric symptoms. A non-fasting blood sample was obtained from each subject. Plasma ceramide levels were tested by HPLC-MS/MS analysis. RESULTS C14:0 and C24:1 levels were significantly higher in PDD than in PD-NC and normal controls. Verbal memory was negatively correlated with C14:0 and C24:1. After controlling for confounding factors, C22:0, C20:0 and C18:0 were significantly associated with hallucinations, anxiety and sleep behavior disturbances, respectively. CONCLUSION In PDD, the increase in ceramide levels was correlated with decreased memory function and associated with higher odds of multiple neuropsychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Xing
- Department of Neurology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Qin
- Department of Neurology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Ji
- Department of Cadre Health Care, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jinlan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Jianping Jia
- Department of Neurology, Xuan Wu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Neurology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Chiurchiù V, Maccarrone M. Bioactive lipids as modulators of immunity, inflammation and emotions. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2016; 29:54-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Behavioural traits propagate across generations via segregated iterative-somatic and gametic epigenetic mechanisms. Nat Commun 2016; 7:11492. [PMID: 27173585 PMCID: PMC4869176 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Parental behavioural traits can be transmitted by non-genetic mechanisms to the offspring. Although trait transmission via sperm has been extensively researched, epidemiological studies indicate the exclusive/prominent maternal transmission of many non-genetic traits. Since maternal conditions impact the offspring during gametogenesis and through fetal/early-postnatal life, the resultant phenotype is likely the aggregate of consecutive germline and somatic effects; a concept that has not been previously studied. Here, we dissected a complex maternally transmitted phenotype, reminiscent of comorbid generalized anxiety/depression, to elementary behaviours/domains and their transmission mechanisms in mice. We show that four anxiety/stress-reactive traits are transmitted via independent iterative-somatic and gametic epigenetic mechanisms across multiple generations. Somatic/gametic transmission alters DNA methylation at enhancers within synaptic genes whose functions can be linked to the behavioural traits. Traits have generation-dependent penetrance and sex specificity resulting in pleiotropy. A transmission-pathway-based concept can refine current inheritance models of psychiatric diseases and facilitate the development of better animal models and new therapeutic approaches. Physiological effects of psychological stress and infection in mothers can increase the incidence of anxiety and psychiatric diseases in offsprings and in subsequent generation. Here, Miklos Toth and colleagues show that intergenerational inheritance of neurological traits is propagated across multiple generations independently by parallel non-genetic mechanisms involving independent segregation of epigenetic specific loci.
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Fonteh AN, Ormseth C, Chiang J, Cipolla M, Arakaki X, Harrington MG. Sphingolipid metabolism correlates with cerebrospinal fluid Beta amyloid levels in Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0125597. [PMID: 25938590 PMCID: PMC4418746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are important in many brain functions but their role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is not completely defined. A major limit is availability of fresh brain tissue with defined AD pathology. The discovery that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contains abundant nanoparticles that include synaptic vesicles and large dense core vesicles offer an accessible sample to study these organelles, while the supernatant fluid allows study of brain interstitial metabolism. Our objective was to characterize sphingolipids in nanoparticles representative of membrane vesicle metabolism, and in supernatant fluid representative of interstitial metabolism from study participants with varying levels of cognitive dysfunction. We recently described the recruitment, diagnosis, and CSF collection from cognitively normal or impaired study participants. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, we report that cognitively normal participants had measureable levels of sphingomyelin, ceramide, and dihydroceramide species, but that their distribution differed between nanoparticles and supernatant fluid, and further differed in those with cognitive impairment. In CSF from AD compared with cognitively normal participants: a) total sphingomyelin levels were lower in nanoparticles and supernatant fluid; b) levels of ceramide species were lower in nanoparticles and higher in supernatant fluid; c) three sphingomyelin species were reduced in the nanoparticle fraction. Moreover, three sphingomyelin species in the nanoparticle fraction were lower in mild cognitive impairment compared with cognitively normal participants. The activity of acid, but not neutral sphingomyelinase was significantly reduced in the CSF from AD participants. The reduction in acid sphingomylinase in CSF from AD participants was independent of depression and psychotropic medications. Acid sphingomyelinase activity positively correlated with amyloid β42 concentration in CSF from cognitively normal but not impaired participants. In dementia, altered sphingolipid metabolism, decreased acid sphingomyelinase activity and its lost association with CSF amyloid β42 concentration, underscores the potential of sphingolipids as disease biomarkers, and acid sphingomyelinase as a target for AD diagnosis and/or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred N. Fonteh
- Molecular Neurology Program, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, 99 N El Molino Ave, Pasadena, California, United Sates of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Cora Ormseth
- Molecular Neurology Program, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, 99 N El Molino Ave, Pasadena, California, United Sates of America
| | - Jiarong Chiang
- Molecular Neurology Program, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, 99 N El Molino Ave, Pasadena, California, United Sates of America
| | - Matthew Cipolla
- Molecular Neurology Program, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, 99 N El Molino Ave, Pasadena, California, United Sates of America
| | - Xianghong Arakaki
- Molecular Neurology Program, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, 99 N El Molino Ave, Pasadena, California, United Sates of America
| | - Michael G. Harrington
- Molecular Neurology Program, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, 99 N El Molino Ave, Pasadena, California, United Sates of America
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