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Hengst JA, Nduwumwami AJ, Sharma A, Yun JK. Fanning the Flames of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress: Can Sphingolipid Metabolism Be Targeted to Enhance ER Stress-Associated Immunogenic Cell Death in Cancer? Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:155-165. [PMID: 38164594 PMCID: PMC10877730 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The three arms of the unfolded protein response (UPR) surveil the luminal environment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transmit information through the lipid bilayer to the cytoplasm to alert the cell of stress conditions within the ER lumen. That same lipid bilayer is the site of de novo synthesis of phospholipids and sphingolipids. Thus, it is no surprise that lipids are modulated by and are modulators of ER stress. Given that sphingolipids have both prosurvival and proapoptotic effects, they also exert opposing effects on life/death decisions in the face of prolonged ER stress detected by the UPR. In this review, we will focus on several recent studies that demonstrate how sphingolipids affect each arm of the UPR. We will also discuss the role of sphingolipids in the process of immunogenic cell death downstream of the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/eukaryotic initiating factor 2α (eIF2α) arm of the UPR. Furthermore, we will discuss strategies to target the sphingolipid metabolic pathway that could potentially act synergistically with agents that induce ER stress as novel anticancer treatments. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: This review provides the readers with a brief discussion of the sphingolipid metabolic pathway and the unfolded protein response. The primary focus of the review is the mechanism(s) by which sphingolipids modulate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response pathways and the critical role of sphingolipids in the process of immunogenic cell death associated with the ER stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy A Hengst
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Asvelt J Nduwumwami
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Arati Sharma
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
| | - Jong K Yun
- Departments of Pediatrics (J.A.H.) and Pharmacology (A.S., J.K.Y.), Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania; and Department of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, National Center for Advancing Translational Science, Rockville, Maryland (A.J.N.)
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Nishimoto K, Okahashi N, Maruyama M, Izumi Y, Nakatani K, Ito Y, Iida J, Bamba T, Matsuda F. Lipidome and metabolome analyses reveal metabolic alterations associated with MCF-7 apoptosis upon 4-hydroxytamoxifen treatment. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18549. [PMID: 37899460 PMCID: PMC10613619 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45764-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) is an anti-cancer drug that induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Although changes in lipid levels and mitochondrial respiration have been observed in OHT-treated cells, the overall mechanisms underlying these metabolic alterations are poorly understood. In this study, time-series metabolomics and lipidomics were used to analyze the changes in metabolic profiles induced by OHT treatment in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line. Lipidomic and metabolomic analyses revealed increases in ceramide, diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol, and decreases in citrate, respectively. Gene expression analyses revealed increased expression of ATP-dependent citrate lyase (ACLY) and subsequent fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes, suggesting that OHT-treated MCF-7 cells activate citrate-to-lipid metabolism. The significance of the observed metabolic changes was evaluated by co-treating MCF-7 cells with OHT and ACLY or a diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1) inhibitor. Co-treatment ameliorated cell death and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential compared to that in OHT treatment alone. The inhibition of cell death by co-treatment with an ACLY inhibitor has been observed in other breast cancer cell lines. These results suggest that citrate-to-lipid metabolism is critical for OHT-induced cell death in breast cancer cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Nishimoto
- Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Okahashi
- Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Biotechnology, Osaka University Shimadzu Analytical Innovation Research Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
- Industrial Biotechnology Initiative Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masaharu Maruyama
- Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Izumi
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kohta Nakatani
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuki Ito
- Department of Biotechnology, Osaka University Shimadzu Analytical Innovation Research Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
- Analytical and Measuring Instruments Division, Shimadzu Corporation, 1 Nishinokyo Kuwabara-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8511, Japan
| | - Junko Iida
- Department of Biotechnology, Osaka University Shimadzu Analytical Innovation Research Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
- Analytical and Measuring Instruments Division, Shimadzu Corporation, 1 Nishinokyo Kuwabara-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 604-8511, Japan
| | - Takeshi Bamba
- Division of Metabolomics, Medical Research Center for High Depth Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Fumio Matsuda
- Department of Bioinformatic Engineering, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Osaka University, 1-5 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
- Department of Biotechnology, Osaka University Shimadzu Analytical Innovation Research Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan.
- Industrial Biotechnology Initiative Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan.
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Shanmugarajan D, Biju A, Sibi D, Sibi R, Shaji M, David C. Dynamacophore model for breast cancer estrogen receptor alpha as an effective lead generation screening technique. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:13029-13040. [PMID: 37154819 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2203245] [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: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Regardless to overwhelming quantum of cancer research worldwide, there are few drugs on the market to treat disease conditions. This is owing to multiple process inferences of drug targets in integrated pathways for invasion, growth, and metastasis. Over the past years, the death rate due to breast cancer has been increasing, that set the stage for improved better treatment. Therefore, there is a persistent and vital demand for innovative development of drugs to treat breast cancer. Many studies have reported that more than 60% of breast cancers are Estrogen receptor-α (ERα)-positive tumours and a key transcription factor, Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) was believed to promote proliferation of breast cancer cells. In this study, 150 ns of molecular dynamics was performed for protein-ligand complex to retrieve the potential stable conformations. The most populated dynamics cluster of 4-Hydroxytamoxifen intact with active site amino acid was selected to generate dynamacophore model (dynamic pharmacophore). Further, internal model validation with AU-ROC values ∼0.93 indicate the best model to screen library. The refined hits are funnelled in pharmacokinetics/dynamics, CDOCKER molecular docking, MM-GBSA and density functional theory to identify the promising ERα ligand candidates.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhivya Shanmugarajan
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Anagha Biju
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Dona Sibi
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Rona Sibi
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Maria Shaji
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Charles David
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Fisher-Wellman KH, Kassai M, Hagen JT, Neufer PD, Kester M, Loughran TP, Chalfant CE, Feith DJ, Tan SF, Fox TE, Ung J, Fabrias G, Abad JL, Sharma A, Golla U, Claxton DF, Shaw JJP, Bhowmick D, Cabot MC. Simultaneous Inhibition of Ceramide Hydrolysis and Glycosylation Synergizes to Corrupt Mitochondrial Respiration and Signal Caspase Driven Cell Death in Drug-Resistant Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1883. [PMID: 36980769 PMCID: PMC10046858 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15061883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), the most prevalent acute and aggressive leukemia diagnosed in adults, often recurs as a difficult-to-treat, chemotherapy-resistant disease. Because chemotherapy resistance is a major obstacle to successful treatment, novel therapeutic intervention is needed. Upregulated ceramide clearance via accelerated hydrolysis and glycosylation has been shown to be an element in chemotherapy-resistant AML, a problem considering the crucial role ceramide plays in eliciting apoptosis. Herein we employed agents that block ceramide clearance to determine if such a "reset" would be of therapeutic benefit. SACLAC was utilized to limit ceramide hydrolysis, and D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-threo-PDMP) was used to block the glycosylation route. The SACLAC D-threo-PDMP inhibitor combination was synergistically cytotoxic in drug-resistant, P-glycoprotein-expressing (P-gp) AML but not in wt, P-gp-poor cells. Interestingly, P-gp antagonists that can limit ceramide glycosylation via depression of glucosylceramide transit also synergized with SACLAC, suggesting a paradoxical role for P-gp in the implementation of cell death. Mechanistically, cell death was accompanied by a complete drop in ceramide glycosylation, concomitant, striking increases in all molecular species of ceramide, diminished sphingosine 1-phosphate levels, resounding declines in mitochondrial respiratory kinetics, altered Akt, pGSK-3β, and Mcl-1 expression, and caspase activation. Although ceramide was generated in wt cells upon inhibitor exposure, mitochondrial respiration was not corrupted, suggestive of mitochondrial vulnerability in the drug-resistant phenotype, a potential therapeutic avenue. The inhibitor regimen showed efficacy in an in vivo model and in primary AML cells from patients. These results support the implementation of SL enzyme targeting to limit ceramide clearance as a therapeutic strategy in chemotherapy-resistant AML, inclusive of a novel indication for the use of P-gp antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey H. Fisher-Wellman
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Miki Kassai
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - James T. Hagen
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - P. Darrell Neufer
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Metabolism, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Thomas P. Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Charles E. Chalfant
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Research Service, Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - David J. Feith
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
| | - Todd E. Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Johnson Ung
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose’ Luis Abad
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arati Sharma
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Upendarrao Golla
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - David F. Claxton
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Jeremy J. P. Shaw
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
- Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
| | - Debajit Bhowmick
- Flow Cytometry Division, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Myles C. Cabot
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
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Corsetto PA, Zava S, Rizzo AM, Colombo I. The Critical Impact of Sphingolipid Metabolism in Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032107. [PMID: 36768427 PMCID: PMC9916652 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in women in the world, and its management includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, whose effectiveness depends largely, but not exclusively, on the molecular subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2+ and Triple Negative). All breast cancer subtypes are accompanied by peculiar and substantial changes in sphingolipid metabolism. Alterations in sphingolipid metabolite levels, such as ceramides, dihydroceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and sphingomyelin, as well as in their biosynthetic and catabolic enzymatic pathways, have emerged as molecular mechanisms by which breast cancer cells grow, respond to or escape therapeutic interventions and could take on diagnostic and prognostic value. In this review, we summarize the current landscape around two main themes: 1. sphingolipid metabolites, enzymes and transport proteins that have been found dysregulated in human breast cancer cells and/or tissues; 2. sphingolipid-driven mechanisms that allow breast cancer cells to respond to or evade therapies. Having a complete picture of the impact of the sphingolipid metabolism in the development and progression of breast cancer may provide an effective means to improve and personalize treatments and reduce associated drug resistance.
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Huang C, Su L, Chen Y, Wu S, Sun R, Xu Q, Qiu X, Yang C, Kong X, Qin H, Zhao X, Jiang X, Wang K, Zhu Y, Wong PP. Ceramide kinase confers tamoxifen resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer by altering sphingolipid metabolism. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106558. [PMID: 36410675 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism contributes to ER+ breast cancer progression and therapeutic response, whereas its underlying mechanism and contribution to tamoxifen resistance (TAMR) is unknown. Here, we establish sphingolipid metabolic enzyme CERK as a regulator of TAMR in breast cancer. Multi-omics analysis reveals an elevated CERK driven sphingolipid metabolic reprogramming in TAMR cells, while high CERK expression associates with worse patient prognosis in ER+ breast cancer. CERK overexpression confers tamoxifen resistance and promotes tumorigenicity in ER+ breast cancer cells. Knocking out CERK inhibits the orthotopic breast tumor growth of TAMR cells while rescuing their tamoxifen sensitivity. Mechanistically, the elevated EHF expression transcriptionally up-regulates CERK expression to prohibit tamoxifen-induced sphingolipid ceramide accumulation, which then inhibits tamoxifen-mediated repression on PI3K/AKT dependent cell proliferation and its driven p53/caspase-3 mediated apoptosis in TAMR cells. This work provides insight into the regulation of sphingolipid metabolism in tamoxifen resistance and identifies a potential therapeutic target for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Liangping Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Yitian Chen
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Sangqing Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Ruipu Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Qiuping Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xiaoyi Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Ciqiu Yang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Xiangzhan Kong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Hongquan Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xinbao Zhao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Ultrasound, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Xue Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Breast Cancer, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Yinghua Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Laboratory Department, Dongguan Children's Hospital Affiliated to Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523000, China.
| | - Ping-Pui Wong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA medicine, Medical Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China.
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7
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Ung J, Tan SF, Fox TE, Shaw JJP, Vass LR, Costa-Pinheiro P, Garrett-Bakelman FE, Keng MK, Sharma A, Claxton DF, Levine RL, Tallman MS, Cabot MC, Kester M, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. Harnessing the power of sphingolipids: Prospects for acute myeloid leukemia. Blood Rev 2022; 55:100950. [PMID: 35487785 PMCID: PMC9475810 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2022.100950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive, heterogenous malignancy characterized by clonal expansion of bone marrow-derived myeloid progenitor cells. While our current understanding of the molecular and genomic landscape of AML has evolved dramatically and opened avenues for molecularly targeted therapeutics to improve upon standard intensive induction chemotherapy, curative treatments are elusive, particularly in older patients. Responses to current AML treatments are transient and incomplete, necessitating the development of novel treatment strategies to improve outcomes. To this end, harnessing the power of bioactive sphingolipids to treat cancer shows great promise. Sphingolipids are involved in many hallmarks of cancer of paramount importance in AML. Leukemic blast survival is influenced by cellular levels of ceramide, a bona fide pro-death molecule, and its conversion to signaling molecules such as sphingosine-1-phosphate and glycosphingolipids. Preclinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of therapeutics that target dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism as well as their combinatorial synergy with clinically-relevant therapeutics. Thus, increased understanding of sphingolipid dysregulation may be exploited to improve AML patient care and outcomes. This review summarizes the current knowledge of dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism in AML, evaluates how pro-survival sphingolipids promote AML pathogenesis, and discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting these dysregulated sphingolipid pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnson Ung
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Todd E Fox
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Jeremy J P Shaw
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Luke R Vass
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Pedro Costa-Pinheiro
- Cancer Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Francine E Garrett-Bakelman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Michael K Keng
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Arati Sharma
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, United States of America
| | - David F Claxton
- Penn State Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, United States of America
| | - Ross L Levine
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America; Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Martin S Tallman
- Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States of America; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Mark Kester
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - David J Feith
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America.
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8
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Sfogliarini C, Pepe G, Dolce A, Della Torre S, Cesta MC, Allegretti M, Locati M, Vegeto E. Tamoxifen Twists Again: On and Off-Targets in Macrophages and Infections. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:879020. [PMID: 35431927 PMCID: PMC9006819 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.879020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Beyond the wide use of tamoxifen in breast cancer chemotherapy due to its estrogen receptor antagonist activity, this drug is being assayed in repurposing strategies against a number of microbial infections. We conducted a literature search on the evidence related with tamoxifen activity in macrophages, since these immune cells participate as a first line-defense against pathogen invasion. Consistent data indicate the existence of estrogen receptor-independent targets of tamoxifen in macrophages that include lipid mediators and signaling pathways, such as NRF2 and caspase-1, which allow these cells to undergo phenotypic adaptation and potentiate the inflammatory response, without the induction of cell death. Thus, these lines of evidence suggest that the widespread antimicrobial activity of this drug can be ascribed, at least in part, to the potentiation of the host innate immunity. This widens our understanding of the pharmacological activity of tamoxifen with relevant therapeutic implications for infections and other clinical indications that may benefit from the immunomodulatory effects of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Sfogliarini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Pepe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Dolce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Massimo Locati
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Vegeto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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9
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A hypothetical proposal to employ meperidine and tamoxifen in treatment of glioblastoma. Role of P-glycoprotein, ceramide and metabolic pathways. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2022; 215:107208. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2022.107208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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10
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Bataller M, Sánchez-García A, Garcia-Mayea Y, Mir C, Rodriguez I, LLeonart ME. The Role of Sphingolipids Metabolism in Cancer Drug Resistance. Front Oncol 2022; 11:807636. [PMID: 35004331 PMCID: PMC8733468 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.807636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance continues to be one of the major challenges to cure cancer. As research in this field evolves, it has been proposed that numerous bioactive molecules might be involved in the resistance of cancer cells to certain chemotherapeutics. One well-known group of lipids that play a major role in drug resistance are the sphingolipids. Sphingolipids are essential components of the lipid raft domains of the plasma membrane and this structural function is important for apoptosis and/or cell proliferation. Dysregulation of sphingolipids, including ceramide, sphingomyelin or sphingosine 1-phosphate, has been linked to drug resistance in different types of cancer, including breast, melanoma or colon cancer. Sphingolipid metabolism is complex, involving several lipid catabolism with the participation of key enzymes such as glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) and sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1). With an overview of the latest available data on this topic and its implications in cancer therapy, this review focuses on the main enzymes implicated in sphingolipids metabolism and their intermediate metabolites involved in cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Bataller
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d´Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Almudena Sánchez-García
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d´Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yoelsis Garcia-Mayea
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d´Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Mir
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d´Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Rodriguez
- Assistant Director of Nursing, Nursing Management Service Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Matilde Esther LLeonart
- Biomedical Research in Cancer Stem Cells Group, Vall d´Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre in Oncology, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Soldati C, Lopez‐Fabuel I, Wanderlingh LG, Garcia‐Macia M, Monfregola J, Esposito A, Napolitano G, Guevara‐Ferrer M, Scotto Rosato A, Krogsaeter EK, Paquet D, Grimm CM, Montefusco S, Braulke T, Storch S, Mole SE, De Matteis MA, Ballabio A, Sampaio JL, McKay T, Johannes L, Bolaños JP, Medina DL. Repurposing of tamoxifen ameliorates CLN3 and CLN7 disease phenotype. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13742. [PMID: 34411438 PMCID: PMC8495452 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Batten diseases (BDs) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders characterized by seizure, visual loss, and cognitive and motor deterioration. We discovered increased levels of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in cellular and murine models of CLN3 and CLN7 diseases and used fluorescent-conjugated bacterial toxins to label Gb3 to develop a cell-based high content imaging (HCI) screening assay for the repurposing of FDA-approved compounds able to reduce this accumulation within BD cells. We found that tamoxifen reduced the lysosomal accumulation of Gb3 in CLN3 and CLN7 cell models, including neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) from CLN7 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). Here, tamoxifen exerts its action through a mechanism that involves activation of the transcription factor EB (TFEB), a master gene of lysosomal function and autophagy. In vivo administration of tamoxifen to the CLN7Δex2 mouse model reduced the accumulation of Gb3 and SCMAS, decreased neuroinflammation, and improved motor coordination. These data strongly suggest that tamoxifen may be a suitable drug to treat some types of Batten disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Soldati
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
| | - Irene Lopez‐Fabuel
- Institute of Functional Biology and GenomicsCSICUniversity of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of SalamancaUniversity Hospital of SalamancaCSICUniversity of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
| | - Luca G Wanderlingh
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
| | - Marina Garcia‐Macia
- Institute of Functional Biology and GenomicsCSICUniversity of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of SalamancaUniversity Hospital of SalamancaCSICUniversity of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
| | - Jlenia Monfregola
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
| | | | - Gennaro Napolitano
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
- Medical Genetics UnitDepartment of Medical and Translational ScienceFederico II UniversityNaplesItaly
| | | | - Anna Scotto Rosato
- Faculty of MedicineWalther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyLudwig‐Maximilians UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Einar K Krogsaeter
- Faculty of MedicineWalther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyLudwig‐Maximilians UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Dominik Paquet
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD)University HospitalLMU MunichMunichGermany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy)MunichGermany
| | - Christian M Grimm
- Faculty of MedicineWalther Straub Institute of Pharmacology and ToxicologyLudwig‐Maximilians UniversityMunichGermany
| | - Sandro Montefusco
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
| | - Thomas Braulke
- Department Osteology & BiomechanicsUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Stephan Storch
- University Children's Research@Kinder‐UKEUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | - Sara E Mole
- Medical Research Council Laboratory for Molecular Cell Biology and UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Maria A De Matteis
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical BiotechnologyUniversity of Napoli Federico IINaplesItaly
| | - Andrea Ballabio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
- Medical Genetics UnitDepartment of Medical and Translational ScienceFederico II UniversityNaplesItaly
- Baylor College of MedicineHoustonTXUSA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research InstituteTexas Children's HospitalHoustonTXUSA
| | - Julio L Sampaio
- Cellular and Chemical Biology DepartmentInstitut Curie, U1143 INSERM, UMR3666 CNRSPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Tristan McKay
- School of Healthcare ScienceManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | - Ludger Johannes
- Cellular and Chemical Biology DepartmentInstitut Curie, U1143 INSERM, UMR3666 CNRSPSL Research UniversityParisFrance
| | - Juan P Bolaños
- Institute of Functional Biology and GenomicsCSICUniversity of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Institute of Biomedical Research of SalamancaUniversity Hospital of SalamancaCSICUniversity of SalamancaSalamancaSpain
| | - Diego L Medina
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), PozzuoliNaplesItaly
- Medical Genetics UnitDepartment of Medical and Translational ScienceFederico II UniversityNaplesItaly
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12
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Zhang YM. Orosomucoid-like protein 3, rhinovirus and asthma. World J Crit Care Med 2021; 10:170-182. [PMID: 34616654 PMCID: PMC8462028 DOI: 10.5492/wjccm.v10.i5.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic variants of orosomucoid-like protein 3 (ORMDL3) gene are associated with highly significant increases in the number of human rhinovirus (HRV)-induced wheezing episodes in children. Recent investigations have been focused on the mechanisms of ORMDL3 in rhinovirus infection for asthma and asthma exacerbations. ORMDL3 not only regulates major human rhinovirus receptor intercellular adhesion molecule 1 expression, but also plays pivotal roles in viral infection through metabolisms of ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, ER-Golgi interface and glycolysis. Research on the roles of ORMDL3 in HRV infection will lead us to identify new biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in childhood asthma and viral induced asthma exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Ming Zhang
- Section of Genomic and Environmental Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Molecular Genetics Group, Division of Respiratory Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW3 6LY, United Kingdom
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13
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Intrinsic and Chemotherapeutic Stressors Modulate ABCC-Like Transport in Trypanosoma cruzi. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26123510. [PMID: 34207619 PMCID: PMC8227891 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26123510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Trypanosoma cruzi is the etiologic agent for Chagas disease, which affects 6-7 million people worldwide. The biological diversity of the parasite reflects on inefficiency of benznidazole, which is a first choice chemotherapy, on chronic patients. ABC transporters that extrude xenobiotics, metabolites, and mediators are overexpressed in resistant cells and contribute to chemotherapy failure. An ABCC-like transport was identified in the Y strain and extrudes thiol-conjugated compounds. As thiols represent a line of defense towards reactive species, we aimed to verify whether ABCC-like transport could participate in the regulation of responses to stressor stimuli. In order to achieve this, ABCC-like activity was measured by flow cytometry using fluorescent substrates. The present study reveals the participation of glutathione and ceramides on ABCC-like transport, which are both implicated in stress. Hemin modulated the ABCC-like efflux which suggests that this protein might be involved in cellular detoxification. Additionally, all strains evaluated exhibited ABCC-like activity, while no ABCB1-like activity was detected. Results suggest that ABCC-like efflux is not associated with natural resistance to benznidazole, since sensitive strains showed higher activity than the resistant ones. Although benznidazole is not a direct substrate, ABCC-like efflux increased after prolonged drug exposure and this indicates that the ABCC-like efflux mediated protection against cell stress depends on the glutathione biosynthesis pathway.
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14
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Restoration of ceramide de novo synthesis by the synthetic retinoid ST1926 as it induces adult T-cell leukemia cell death. Biosci Rep 2021; 40:226649. [PMID: 33048123 PMCID: PMC7593536 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20200050] [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: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramide (Cer) is a bioactive cellular lipid with compartmentalized and tightly regulated levels. Distinct metabolic pathways lead to the generation of Cer species with distinguishable roles in oncogenesis. Deregulation of Cer pathways has emerged as an important mechanism for acquired chemotherapeutic resistance. Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells are defective in Cer synthesis. ATL is an aggressive neoplasm that develops following infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) where the viral oncogene Tax contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. ATL cells, resistant to all-trans-retinoic acid, are sensitive to pharmacologically achievable concentrations of the synthetic retinoid ST1926. We studied the effects of ST1926 on Cer pathways in ATL cells. ST1926 treatment resulted in early Tax oncoprotein degradation in HTLV-1-treated cells. ST1926 induced cell death and a dose- and time-dependent accumulation of Cer in malignant T cells. The kinetics and degree of Cer production showed an early response upon ST1926 treatment. ST1926 enhanced de novo Cer synthesis via activation of ceramide synthase CerS(s) without inhibiting dihydroceramide desaturase, thereby accumulating Cer rather than the less bioactive dihydroceramide. Using labeling experiments with the unnatural 17-carbon sphinganine and measuring the generated Cer species, we showed that ST1926 preferentially induces the activities of a distinct set of CerS(s). We detected a delay in cell death response and interruption of Cer generation in response to ST1926 in Molt-4 cells overexpressing Bcl-2. These results highlight the potential role of ST1926 in inducing Cer levels, thus lowering the threshold for cell death in ATL cells.
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15
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Chakrabarti M, Joshi N, Kumari G, Singh P, Shoaib R, Munjal A, Kumar V, Behl A, Abid M, Garg S, Gupta S, Singh S. Interaction of Plasmodium falciparum apicortin with α- and β-tubulin is critical for parasite growth and survival. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4688. [PMID: 33633135 PMCID: PMC7907060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83513-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoskeletal structures of Apicomplexan parasites are important for parasite replication, motility, invasion to the host cell and survival. Apicortin, an Apicomplexan specific protein appears to be a crucial factor in maintaining stability of the parasite cytoskeletal assemblies. However, the function of apicortin, in terms of interaction with microtubules still remains elusive. Herein, we have attempted to elucidate the function of Plasmodium falciparum apicortin by monitoring its interaction with two main components of parasite microtubular structure, α-tubulin-I and β-tubulin through in silico and in vitro studies. Further, a p25 domain binding generic drug Tamoxifen (TMX), was used to disrupt PfApicortin-tubulin interactions which led to the inhibition in growth and progression of blood stage life cycle of P. falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malabika Chakrabarti
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Nishant Joshi
- grid.410868.30000 0004 1781 342XDepartment of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, 201314 UP India
| | - Geeta Kumari
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Preeti Singh
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Rumaisha Shoaib
- grid.411818.50000 0004 0498 8255Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Akshay Munjal
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Vikash Kumar
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Ankita Behl
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Mohammad Abid
- grid.411818.50000 0004 0498 8255Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025 India
| | - Swati Garg
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Sonal Gupta
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India
| | - Shailja Singh
- grid.10706.300000 0004 0498 924XSpecial Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067 India ,grid.410868.30000 0004 1781 342XDepartment of Life Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Shiv Nadar University, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, 201314 UP India
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16
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Exogenous Fatty Acids Modulate ER Lipid Composition and Metabolism in Breast Cancer Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10010175. [PMID: 33467111 PMCID: PMC7830208 DOI: 10.3390/cells10010175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Lipid metabolism is a fundamental hallmark of all tumors, especially of breast cancer. Few studies describe the different lipid metabolisms and sensitivities to the microenvironment of breast cancer cell subtypes that influence the proliferation, aggressiveness, and success of therapy. This study describes the impact of lipid microenvironment on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane and metabolic activity in two breast cancer cell lines with Luminal A and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) features. (2) Methods: We investigated the peculiar lipid phenotype of a TNBC cell line, MDA-MB-231, and a Luminal A cell line, MCF7, and their different sensitivity to exogenous fatty acids (i.e., palmitic acid (PA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)). Moreover, we verified the impact of exogenous fatty acids on ER lipid composition. (3) Results: The data obtained demonstrate that MDA-MB-231 cells are more sensitive to the lipid microenvironment and that both PA and DHA are able to remodel their ER membranes with consequences on resident enzyme activity. On the contrary, MCF7 cells are less sensitive to PA, whereas they incorporate DHA, although less efficiently than MDA-MB-231 cells. (4) Conclusions: This study sustains the importance of lipid metabolism as an innovative hallmark to discriminate breast cancer subclasses and to develop personalized and innovative pharmacological strategies. The different sensitivities to the lipid environment shown by MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cells might be related to cell malignancy and chemoresistance onset. In the future, this new approach could lead to a substantial decrease both in deleterious side effects for the patients and in the cost of entire therapeutic treatments coupled with increased therapy efficiency.
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Honda T, Motoyoshi K, Kasahara J, Yamagata K, Takahashi H, Nakamura H, Murayama T. Tyrosine-phosphorylation and activation of glucosylceramide synthase by v-Src: Its role in survival of HeLa cells against ceramide. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2020; 1866:158817. [PMID: 32980536 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2020.158817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids represent a family of cellular lipid-molecules that regulate physiological and pathophysiological processes. Glucosylceramide (GlcCer), the simplest glycosphingolipid (GSL), is synthesized from ceramide and UDP-glucose by GlcCer synthase (GCS). Both GlcCer (and resulting GSLs) and ceramide regulate various cellular functions including cell death and multiple drug resistance. Src family tyrosine kinases are up-regulated in various human cancer cells. We examined the effect of v-Src expression on GCS activity, the formation of 4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD)-labeled GlcCer from NBD-ceramide, and the effect of tyrosine132 mutation in GCS on ceramide-induced cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. Expression of v-Src increased the formation of NBD-GlcCer in both intact cells without marked changes in other sphingolipid metabolites and cell homogenates without changing affinities of NBD-ceramide and UDP-glucose. Expression of v-Src also increased tyrosine-phosphorylated levels in GCS proteins in HeLa and HEK293T cells. In HEK293T cells transiently expressing the GCS mutant, GCS-Y132F-HA, showing replacement of the tyrosine132 residue with phenylalanine, tyrosine-phosphorylated levels in GCS proteins were significantly lower than those in control cells expressing the GCS-wild-type-HA. The formation of NBD-GlcCer in HeLa cells stably expressing GCS-Y132F-HA was significantly lower than that in the control. Ceramide-induced cytotoxicity in HeLa-GCS-Y132F-HA cells was significantly greater than in the control. In this study, we showed for the first time that expression of v-Src up-regulated GCS activity via tyrosine phosphorylation of the enzyme in a post-translational manner. Mechanisms of Src-induced resistance to ceramide-induced cytotoxicity are discussed in relation to the Src-induced up-regulation of GCS activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Honda
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan.
| | - Kaisei Motoyoshi
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Junya Kasahara
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Yamagata
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan; Laboratory of International Scholars in Pharmaceuticals/Systems Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Hiromasa Takahashi
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Murayama
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
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18
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Milliken BT, Melegari L, Smith GL, Grohn K, Wolfe AJ, Moody K, Bou-Abdallah F, Doyle RP. Fenretinide binding to the lysosomal protein saposin D alters ceramide solubilization and hydrolysis. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:1048-1052. [PMID: 33479697 PMCID: PMC7513591 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00182a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Fenretinide is a synthetic retinoid pharmaceutical linked to ceramide build-up in vivo. Saposin D is an intralysosomal protein necessary for ceramide binding/degradation. We show, via electronic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and ceramide hydrolysis assays, that fenretinide is bound by saposin D {K a = (1.45 ± 0.49) × 105 M-1}, and affects ceramide solubilization/degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon T Milliken
- Department of Chemistry , Syracuse University , Syracuse , NY 13244 , USA .
| | - Lindy Melegari
- Department of Chemistry , Syracuse University , Syracuse , NY 13244 , USA .
| | - Gideon L Smith
- Department of Chemistry , State University of New York , Potsdam , NY 13676 , USA .
| | - Kris Grohn
- Ichor Therapeutics, Inc , 2521 US-1 , Lafayette , NY 13084 , USA
| | - Aaron J Wolfe
- Ichor Therapeutics, Inc , 2521 US-1 , Lafayette , NY 13084 , USA
- Lysoclear Inc. , 2521 US RT 11 , Lafayette , NY 13084 , USA
| | - Kelsey Moody
- Ichor Therapeutics, Inc , 2521 US-1 , Lafayette , NY 13084 , USA
- Lysoclear Inc. , 2521 US RT 11 , Lafayette , NY 13084 , USA
| | - Fadi Bou-Abdallah
- Department of Chemistry , State University of New York , Potsdam , NY 13676 , USA .
| | - Robert P Doyle
- Department of Chemistry , Syracuse University , Syracuse , NY 13244 , USA .
- Department of Medicine , State University of New York , Upstate Medical University , 13210 , USA
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19
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Clifford RE, Bowden D, Blower E, Kirwan CC, Vimalachandran D. Does tamoxifen have a therapeutic role outside of breast cancer? A systematic review of the evidence. Surg Oncol 2020; 33:100-107. [PMID: 32561074 DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tamoxifen is a widely used hormonal based therapy for breast cancer in the adjuvant and metastatic setting, prolonging overall and recurrence-free survival. There has been increasing interest in the potential for novel "off-target" effects of tamoxifen and its metabolite N-desmethyltamoxifen across a number of cancer types. We aim to review the current literature regarding the potential use of tamoxifen in other primary malignancies. METHOD A qualitative systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines using pre-set search criteria across the PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus databases from 1985 to 2019. Additional results were generated from included papers references. RESULTS A total of 324 papers were identified, of which 47 were included; a further 29 articles were obtained from additional referencing to give a total of 76 articles. Clinical trials have demonstrated benefits with the use of tamoxifen in isolation and combination, specifically in patients with advanced non-resectable malignancy, however results are not consistent across the literature. In vivo data consistently suggests that off target effects of tamoxifen are mediated through the ceramide pathway or through inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC). CONCLUSIONS With increased focus upon the potential of repurposing drugs, tamoxifen may be a candidate for repurposing in the wider cancer setting. There is evidence to suggest that the ceramide or PKC pathway could act as a therapeutic target for tamoxifen or alternative chemotherapeutics and merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Clifford
- Institute of Cancer Medicine, The University of Liverpool, UK.
| | - D Bowden
- Institute of Cancer Medicine, The University of Liverpool, UK
| | - E Blower
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, UK
| | - C C Kirwan
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, UK
| | - D Vimalachandran
- Institute of Cancer Medicine, The University of Liverpool, UK; The Countess of Chester Foundation Trust, UK
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20
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White-Gilbertson S, Voelkel-Johnson C. Giants and monsters: Unexpected characters in the story of cancer recurrence. Adv Cancer Res 2020; 148:201-232. [PMID: 32723564 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2020.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCC) constitute a dangerous subpopulation of cancer cells and are a driving force in cancer recurrence. These unique cells arise from diploid tumor cells in response to stress encountered in the tumor microenvironment or during cancer therapy. PGCC are greatly dedifferentiated, acquire pluripotency, and are able to replicate through a form of asymmetric division called neosis, which results in new populations that are themselves able to differentiate into new cell types or to re-establish tumors. Progeny tend to be more genetically unstable than the founding population due to the dysregulation required to transition through a PGCC state. Therefore, cancers that escape stressors through this mechanism tend to re-emerge with a more aggressive phenotype that is therapy resistant. This review focuses on the clinical significance of PGCC, the need for standardized nomenclature and molecular markers, as well as possible avenues to develop therapies aimed at PGCC and the process of neosis. The biology underlying the development of PGCC including cell cycle checkpoint dysregulation, stress responses, dedifferentiation, stemness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai White-Gilbertson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.
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21
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White‐Gilbertson S, Lu P, Jones CM, Chiodini S, Hurley D, Das A, Delaney JR, Norris JS, Voelkel‐Johnson C. Tamoxifen is a candidate first-in-class inhibitor of acid ceramidase that reduces amitotic division in polyploid giant cancer cells-Unrecognized players in tumorigenesis. Cancer Med 2020; 9:3142-3152. [PMID: 32135040 PMCID: PMC7196070 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCC) represent a poorly understood, small subpopulation of tumor cells that are increasingly being recognized for their critical role in therapy resistance, metastasis, and cancer recurrence. PGCC have the potential to generate progeny through primitive or cleavage-like division, which allows them to evade antimitotic insults. We recently demonstrated that the sphingolipid enzyme acid ceramidase (ASAH1) is required for this process. Since specific ASAH1 inhibitors are not clinically available, we investigated whether tamoxifen, which interferes with ASAH1 function via off-target effects, has a potential clinical benefit independent of estrogen signaling. Our results show that tamoxifen inhibits generation of PGCC offspring in prostate cancer, glioblastoma, and melanoma cells. Analysis of two state-level cancer registries revealed that tamoxifen improves survival outcomes for second, nonbreast cancers that develop in women with early stage breast cancer. Our results suggest that tamoxifen may have a clinical benefit in a variety of cancers that is independent of estrogen signaling and could be due to its inhibition of acid ceramidase. Thus the distinct application of tamoxifen as potentially a first-in-class therapeutic that inhibits the generation of PGCC offspring should be considered in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shai White‐Gilbertson
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Ping Lu
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Christian M. Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
| | | | - Deborah Hurley
- South Carolina Central Cancer RegistrySCDHECColumbiaSCUSA
| | - Arabinda Das
- Department of NeuroscienceMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Joe R. Delaney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
| | - James S. Norris
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
| | - Christina Voelkel‐Johnson
- Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMedical University of South CarolinaCharlestonSCUSA
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22
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Resveratrol Modifies Lipid Composition of Two Cancer Cell Lines. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:5393041. [PMID: 32149115 PMCID: PMC7053465 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5393041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Resveratrol (Resv) offers health benefits in cancer and has been reported to modulate important enzymes of lipid metabolism. Studies of its effects on lipid composition in different subtypes of breast-cancer cells are scarce. Thus, we investigated the alterations in phospholipids (PL), fatty acids (FA), and lipid metabolism enzymes in two breast-cancer cell lines after Resv treatment. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with 80 and 200 μM of Resv, respectively, for 24 hours. We analyzed PL with radiolabeled inorganic phosphate (32Pi) by thin-layer chromatography, FA by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and lipid metabolism enzymes (DGAT2, FAS, ρACCβ, pAMPKα, and AMPK) by Western blot. Resv treated MDA-MB-231 phospholipids showed a reduction in phosphatidylcholine (63%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (35%). We observed an increase in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (73%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (65%) in MCF-7 cells after Resv treatment. Interestingly, the same treatment caused 50% and 90% increases in EPA and DHA, respectively, in MDA-MB-231 cells. In MCF-7 cells, Resv increased the expression of ρACCβ (3.3-fold) and AMPKα/ρAMPKα (1.5-fold) and in MDA-MB-231 cells it inhibited the expression of ρACCβ (111.8-fold) and AMPKα/ρAMPKα (1.2 fold). Our results show that Resv modified PL and saturated and unsaturated FA especially in MDA-MB-231 cells, and open new perspectives to the understanding of the reported anticancer effect of Resv on these cells.
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23
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Shinkai A, Saito W, Hashimoto Y, Ishida S. Improvements in visual acuity and macular morphology following cessation of anti-estrogen drugs in a patient with anti-estrogen maculopathy resembling macular telangiectasia type 2: a pathogenic hypothesis. BMC Ophthalmol 2019; 19:267. [PMID: 31888549 PMCID: PMC6937951 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-019-1280-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between anti-estrogen drugs and macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel-2) remains unknown. Here we report a case with anti-estrogen maculopathy resembling MacTel-2 with improved visual function and macular morphology following cessation of anti-estrogen drugs. Case presentation A 53-year-old woman presented with a 5-month history of central vision loss and anorthopia in both eyes. She had received oral tamoxifen followed by toremifene for 69 months. Funduscopy, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed MacTel-2-like findings OU. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF) showed hyper-autofluorescence at the fovea OU. Visual acuity, macular morphology on OCT, and FAF findings gradually improved after cessation of anti-estrogen drugs. Conclusions In the present case, visual acuity, macular morphology, and impairment of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) improved following cessation of anti-estrogen drugs, suggesting the relationship between retinal toxicity of anti-estrogen drugs and the development of MacTel-2-like findings. From these results and the previous observations, toxicity of both photoreceptor and RPE cells caused by anti-estrogen drugs may contribute to the development of anti-estrogen maculopathy similar to MacTel-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Shinkai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 7, Kita 15, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Wataru Saito
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 7, Kita 15, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan. .,Kaimeido Eye and Dental Clinic, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Yuki Hashimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 7, Kita 15, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Susumu Ishida
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Nishi 7, Kita 15, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
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24
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Pivotal role of mitophagy in response of acute myelogenous leukemia to a ceramide-tamoxifen-containing drug regimen. Exp Cell Res 2019; 381:256-264. [PMID: 31112736 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy marked by the accumulation of large numbers of immature myeloblasts in bone marrow. The overall prognosis in AML is poor; hence, there is a pressing need to improve treatment. Although the sphingolipid (SL) ceramide demonstrates known cancer suppressor properties, it's mechanism of action is multifaceted. Our studies in leukemia and other cancers have demonstrated that when combined with the antiestrogen, tamoxifen, the apoptosis-inducting effect of ceramide is greatly enhanced. The goal of the present study was to establish whether a ceramide-tamoxifen regimen also affects autophagic-driven cellular responses in leukemia. Using the human AML cell line KG-1, we demonstrate that, unlike exposure to the single agents, combination C6-ceramide-tamoxifen upregulated LC3-II expression, inhibited the mTOR signaling pathway, and synergistically induced KG-1 cell death in an Atg5-dependent manner. In addition, colocalization of autophagosome and mitochondria, indicative of mitophagosome formation and mitophagy, was observed. Versatility of the drug regimen was confirmed by experiments in MV4-11 cells, a FLT3-ITD AML mutant. These results indicate that the C6-ceramide-tamoxifen regimen plays a pivotal role inducing autophagy in AML, and thus constitutes a novel therapeutic design.
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25
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Govindarajah N, Clifford R, Bowden D, Sutton PA, Parsons JL, Vimalachandran D. Sphingolipids and acid ceramidase as therapeutic targets in cancer therapy. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019; 138:104-111. [PMID: 31092365 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sphingolipids have been shown to play a key part in cancer cell growth and death and have increasingly become the subject of novel anti-cancer therapies. Acid ceramidase, a sphingolipid enzyme, has an important role in the regulation of apoptosis. In this review we aim to assess the current evidence supporting the role of sphingolipids in cancer and the potential role that acid ceramidase may play in cancer treatment. METHODS A literature search was performed for published full text articles using the PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus databases using the search criteria string "acid ceramidase", "sphingolipid", "cancer". Additional papers were detected by scanning the references of relevant papers. A summary of the evidence for each cancer subgroup was then formed. Given the nature of the data extracted, no meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS Over expression of acid ceramidase has been demonstrated in a number of human cancers. In vitro data demonstrate that manipulation of acid ceramidase may present a useful therapeutic target. In the clinical setting, a number of drugs have been investigated with the ability to target acid ceramidase, with the most promising of those being small molecular inhibitors, such as LCL521. CONCLUSION The role of the sphingolipid pathway in cancer is becoming very clearly established by promoting ceramide accumulation in response to cancer or cellular stress. Acid ceramidase is over expressed in a variety of cancers and has a role as a potential target for inhibition by novel specific inhibitors or off-target effects of traditional anti-cancer agents. Further work is required to develop acid ceramidase inhibitors safe for progression to clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Govindarajah
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of General Surgery, The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - R Clifford
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of General Surgery, The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - D Bowden
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of General Surgery, The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - P A Sutton
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of General Surgery, The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom
| | - J L Parsons
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - D Vimalachandran
- Institute of Translational Medicine, The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of General Surgery, The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Chester, United Kingdom.
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26
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Moro K, Nagahashi M, Gabriel E, Takabe K, Wakai T. Clinical application of ceramide in cancer treatment. Breast Cancer 2019; 26:407-415. [PMID: 30963461 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-019-00953-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Development of innovative strategies for cancer treatment is a pressing public health issue. Despite recent advances, the mechanisms of cancer progression and the resistance to cancer treatment have not been fully elucidated. Sphingolipids, including ceramide and sphingoshin-1-phosphate, are bioactive mediators that regulate cancer cell death and survival through the dynamic balance of what has been termed the 'sphingolipid rheostat'. Specifically, ceramide, which acts as the central hub of sphingolipid metabolism, is generated via three major pathways by many stressors, including anti-cancer treatments, environmental stresses, and cytokines. We have previously shown in breast cancer patients that elevated ceramide correlated with less aggressive cancer phenotypes, leading to a prognostic impact. Recent studies showed that ceramide have the possibility of becoming the reinforcing agent of cancer treatment as well as other roles such as nanoparticles and diagnostic biomarker. We review ceramide as one of the key molecules to investigate in overcoming resistance to current drug therapies and in becoming one of the newest cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Moro
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan
| | - Masayuki Nagahashi
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan.
| | | | - Kazuaki Takabe
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan.,Division of Breast Surgery, Department of Surgical Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Surgery, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Toshifumi Wakai
- Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata, 951-8510, Japan
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27
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Trinconi CT, Miguel DC, Silber AM, Brown C, Mina JGM, Denny PW, Heise N, Uliana SRB. Tamoxifen inhibits the biosynthesis of inositolphosphorylceramide in Leishmania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-DRUGS AND DRUG RESISTANCE 2018; 8:475-487. [PMID: 30399513 PMCID: PMC6216108 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous work from our group showed that tamoxifen, an oral drug that has been in use for the treatment of breast cancer for over 40 years, is active both in vitro and in vivo against several species of Leishmania, the etiological agent of leishmaniasis. Using a combination of metabolic labeling with [3H]-sphingosine and myo-[3H]-inositol, alkaline hydrolysis, HPTLC fractionations and mass spectrometry analyses, we observed a perturbation in the metabolism of inositolphosphorylceramides (IPCs) and phosphatidylinositols (PIs) after treatment of L. amazonensis promastigotes with tamoxifen, with a significant reduction in the biosynthesis of the major IPCs (composed of d16:1/18:0-IPC, t16:0/C18:0-IPC, d18:1/18:0-IPC and t16:0/20:0-IPC) and PIs (sn-1-O-(C18:0)alkyl -2-O-(C18:1)acylglycerol-3-HPO4-inositol and sn-1-O-(C18:0)acyl-2-O-(C18:1)acylglycerol-3-HPO4-inositol) species. Substrate saturation kinetics of myo-inositol uptake analyses indicated that inhibition of inositol transport or availability were not the main reasons for the reduced biosynthesis of IPC and PI observed in tamoxifen treated parasites. An in vitro enzymatic assay was used to show that tamoxifen was able to inhibit the Leishmania IPC synthase with an IC50 value of 8.48 μM (95% CI 7.68–9.37), suggesting that this enzyme is most likely one of the targets for this compound in the parasites. Tamoxifen alters the sphingolipid metabolism of L. amazonensis. Tamoxifen treated parasites show a significant reduction of IPC and PI species. Tamoxifen-treated parasites present a reduction of inositol transport. Tamoxifen is an inhibitor of L. major's IPC synthase in a micromolar range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana T Trinconi
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Danilo C Miguel
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Ariel M Silber
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Christopher Brown
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - John G M Mina
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Paul W Denny
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Norton Heise
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Silvia R B Uliana
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1374, São Paulo, SP, 05508-000, Brazil.
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Kreitzburg KM, van Waardenburg RCAM, Yoon KJ. Sphingolipid metabolism and drug resistance in ovarian cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 1:181-197. [PMID: 31891125 PMCID: PMC6936734 DOI: 10.20517/cdr.2018.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite progress in understanding molecular aberrations that contribute to the development and progression of ovarian cancer, virtually all patients succumb to drug resistant disease at relapse. Emerging data implicate bioactive sphingolipids and regulation of sphingolipid metabolism as components of response to chemotherapy or development of resistance. Increases in cytosolic ceramide induce apoptosis in response to therapy with multiple classes of chemotherapeutic agents. Aberrations in sphingolipid metabolism that accelerate the catabolism of ceramide or that prevent the production and accumulation of ceramide contribute to resistance to standard of care platinum- and taxane-based agents. The aim of this review is to highlight current literature and research investigating the influence of the sphingolipids and enzymes that comprise the sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway on the progression of ovarian cancer. The focus of the review is on the utility of sphingolipid-centric therapeutics as a mechanism to circumvent drug resistance in this tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M Kreitzburg
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | | | - Karina J Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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29
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Wegner MS, Schömel N, Gruber L, Örtel SB, Kjellberg MA, Mattjus P, Kurz J, Trautmann S, Peng B, Wegner M, Kaulich M, Ahrends R, Geisslinger G, Grösch S. UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase activates AKT, promoted proliferation, and doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:3393-3410. [PMID: 29549423 PMCID: PMC11105721 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2799-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of glycosylated sphingolipids, since this enzyme generates the precursor for all complex glycosphingolipids (GSL), the GlcCer. The UGCG has been associated with several cancer-related processes such as maintaining cancer stem cell properties or multidrug resistance induction. The precise mechanisms underlying these processes are unknown. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms occurring after UGCG overexpression in breast cancer cells. We observed alterations of several cellular properties such as morphological changes, which enhanced proliferation and doxorubicin resistance in UGCG overexpressing MCF-7 cells. These cellular effects seem to be mediated by an altered composition of glycosphingolipid-enriched microdomains (GEMs), especially an accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and glucosylceramide (GlcCer), which leads to an activation of Akt and ERK1/2. The induction of the Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathway results in an increased gene expression of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and anti-apoptotic genes and a decrease of pro-apoptotic gene expression. Inhibition of the protein kinase C (PKC) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K) reduced MDR1 gene expression. This study discloses how changes in UGCG expression impact several cellular signaling pathways in breast cancer cells resulting in enhanced proliferation and multidrug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe-Susanna Wegner
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Nina Schömel
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lisa Gruber
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephanie Beatrice Örtel
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matti Aleksi Kjellberg
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6A, III, BioCity, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Peter Mattjus
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6A, III, BioCity, 20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Jennifer Kurz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (TMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sandra Trautmann
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bing Peng
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften, ISAS e. V., Otto-Hahn-Straße 6b, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Martin Wegner
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Manuel Kaulich
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Robert Ahrends
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften, ISAS e. V., Otto-Hahn-Straße 6b, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (TMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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30
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Ceramide Metabolism Balance, a Multifaceted Factor in Critical Steps of Breast Cancer Development. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092527. [PMID: 30149660 PMCID: PMC6163247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramides are key lipids in energetic-metabolic pathways and signaling cascades, modulating critical physiological functions in cells. While synthesis of ceramides is performed in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is altered under overnutrition conditions, proteins associated with ceramide metabolism are located on membrane arrangement of mitochondria and ER (MAMs). However, ceramide accumulation in meta-inflammation, condition that associates obesity with a chronic low-grade inflammatory state, favors the deregulation of pathways such as insulin signaling, and induces structural rearrangements on mitochondrial membrane, modifying its permeability and altering the flux of ions and other molecules. Considering the wide biological processes in which sphingolipids are implicated, they have been associated with diseases that present abnormalities in their energetic metabolism, such as breast cancer. In this sense, sphingolipids could modulate various cell features, such as growth, proliferation, survival, senescence, and apoptosis in cancer progression; moreover, ceramide metabolism is associated to chemotherapy resistance, and regulation of metastasis. Cell–cell communication mediated by exosomes and lipoproteins has become relevant in the transport of several sphingolipids. Therefore, in this work we performed a comprehensive analysis of the state of the art about the multifaceted roles of ceramides, specifically the deregulation of ceramide metabolism pathways, being a key factor that could modulate neoplastic processes development. Under specific conditions, sphingolipids perform important functions in several cellular processes, and depending on the preponderant species and cellular and/or tissue status can inhibit or promote the development of metabolic and potentially breast cancer disease.
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FTY720 enhances the anti-tumor activity of carboplatin and tamoxifen in a patient-derived xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Cancer Lett 2018; 436:75-86. [PMID: 30120964 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. Although most patients respond to frontline therapy, virtually all patients relapse with chemoresistant disease. This study addresses the hypothesis that carboplatin or tamoxifen + FTY720, a sphingosine analogue, will minimize or circumvent drug-resistance in ovarian cancer cells and tumor models. In vitro data demonstrate that FTY720 sensitized two drug-resistant (A2780. cp20, HeyA8. MDR) and two high-grade serous ovarian cancer cell lines (COV362, CAOV3) to carboplatin, a standard of care for patients with ovarian cancer, and to the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen. FTY720 + tamoxifen was synergistic in vitro, and combinations of FTY720 + carboplatin or + tamoxifen were more effective than each single agent in a patient-derived xenograft model of ovarian carcinoma. FTY720 + tamoxifen arrested tumor growth. FTY720 + carboplatin induced tumor regressions, with tumor volumes reduced by ∼86% compared to initial tumor volumes. Anti-tumor efficacy was concomitant with increases in intracellular proapoptotic lipid ceramide. The data suggest that FTY720 + tamoxifen or carboplatin may be effective in treating ovarian tumors.
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Targeting sphingolipid metabolism as an approach for combination therapies in haematological malignancies. Cell Death Discov 2018; 4:72. [PMID: 30062053 PMCID: PMC6060109 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-018-0075-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional chemotherapy-based drug combinations have, until recently, been the backbone of most therapeutic strategies for cancer. In a time of emerging rationale drug development, targeted therapies are beginning to be added to traditional chemotherapeutics to synergistically enhance clinical responses. Of note, the importance of pro-apoptotic ceramide in mediating the anti-cancer effects of these therapies is becoming more apparent. Furthermore, reduced cellular ceramide in favour of pro-survival sphingolipids correlates with tumorigenesis and most importantly, drug resistance. Thus, agents that manipulate sphingolipid metabolism have been explored as potential anti-cancer agents and have recently demonstrated exciting potential to augment the efficacy of anti-cancer therapeutics. This review examines the biology underpinning these observations and the potential use of sphingolipid manipulating agents in the context of existing and emerging therapies for haematological malignancies. • Efficacy of many chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies is dictated by cellular ceramide levels. • Oncogene activation skews sphingolipid metabolism to favour the production of pro-survival sphingolipids. • Inhibitors of enzymes involved in ceramide metabolism exhibit promise in the relapsed-refractory setting. • Anti-cancer activity of sphingosine kinase inhibitors provides several options for new drug combinations. Open Questions • What other clinically utilised drugs rely on increases in ceramide levels for their efficacy and can they be effectively partnered with other ceramide inducing agents? • How does ceramide modulate the Bcl-2 family proteins, Mcl-1 and Bcl-2? • Are sphingolipid enzyme inhibitors best suited in the frontline or relapsed-refractory setting?
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Voelkel-Johnson C, Norris JS, White-Gilbertson S. Interdiction of Sphingolipid Metabolism Revisited: Focus on Prostate Cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2018; 140:265-293. [PMID: 30060812 PMCID: PMC6460930 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2018.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolism is known to play a role in cell death, survival, and therapy resistance in cancer. Sphingolipids, particularly dihydroceramide and ceramide, are associated with antiproliferative or cell death responses, respectively, and are central to effective cancer therapy. Within the last decade, strides have been made in elucidating many intricacies of sphingolipid metabolism. New information has emerged on the mechanisms by which sphingolipid metabolism is dysregulated during malignancy and how cancer cells survive and/or escape therapeutic interventions. This chapter focuses on three main themes: (1) sphingolipid enzymes that are dysregulated in cancer, particularly in prostate cancer; (2) inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism that antagonize prosurvival responses; and (3) sphingolipid-driven escape mechanisms that allow cancer cells to evade therapies. We explore clinical and preclinical approaches to interdict sphingolipid metabolism and provide a rationale for combining strategies to drive the generation of antiproliferative ceramides with prevention of ceramide clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - James S. Norris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Shai White-Gilbertson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Bogush TA, Polezhaev BB, Mamichev IA, Bogush EA, Polotsky BE, Tjulandin SA, Ryabov AB. Tamoxifen Never Ceases to Amaze: New Findings on Non-Estrogen Receptor Molecular Targets and Mediated Effects. Cancer Invest 2018; 36:211-220. [PMID: 29727200 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2018.1453933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Tamoxifen is a first targeted drug that continues to be the gold standard in treatment of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer for almost 50 years. The current review is an update of the paper published in 2012. We provide the new data on the tamoxifen targets that are the key points of signaling cascades activating cellular proliferation, which determines aggressiveness of disease and chemotherapy resistance or sensitivity. Some inspiring clinical cases dealing with tamoxifen efficiency in treatment of different tumors are discussed. Additionally, the review includes data on antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic activity of tamoxifen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Anatolievna Bogush
- a N.N.Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation , Research Institute of Experimental Diagnostics and Tumor Therapy , Kashirskoe shosse 24, Moscow , Russia
| | - Boris Borisovich Polezhaev
- b Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University , Department of General Medicine , Leninskie Gory, Moscow , Russian Federation
| | - Ivan Andreevich Mamichev
- a N.N.Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation , Research Institute of Experimental Diagnostics and Tumor Therapy , Kashirskoe shosse 24, Moscow , Russia
| | - Elena Alexandrovna Bogush
- a N.N.Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation , Research Institute of Experimental Diagnostics and Tumor Therapy , Kashirskoe shosse 24, Moscow , Russia
| | - Boris Evseevich Polotsky
- a N.N.Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation , Research Institute of Experimental Diagnostics and Tumor Therapy , Kashirskoe shosse 24, Moscow , Russia
| | - Sergei Alexeevich Tjulandin
- a N.N.Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation , Research Institute of Experimental Diagnostics and Tumor Therapy , Kashirskoe shosse 24, Moscow , Russia
| | - Andrey Borisovich Ryabov
- c N.N.Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation , Research Institute of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology , Kashirskoe shosse 24, Moscow , Russia
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35
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Zhao Y, Ling Z, Hao Y, Pang X, Han X, Califano JA, Shan L, Gu X. MiR-124 acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting the expression of sphingosine kinase 1 and its downstream signaling in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 8:25005-25020. [PMID: 28212569 PMCID: PMC5421905 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
By analyzing the expression profile of microRNAs in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC), we found that the expression level of miR-124 was 4.59-fold lower in tumors than in normal tissues. To understand its functions, we generated a miR-124-expressing subline (JHU-22miR124) and a mock vector-transfected subline (JHU-22vec) by transfecting the mimic of miR-124 into JHU-22 cancer cells. Restored expression of miR-124 in JHU-22miR124 cells led to reduced cell proliferation, delayed colony formation, and decreased tumor growth, indicating a tumor-suppressive effect of miR-124. Subsequent target search revealed that the 3′-UTR of SphK1 mRNA carries a complementary site for the seed region of miR-124. SphK1 was also detected to be overexpressed in HNSCC cell lines, but down-expressed in JHU-22miR124 cells and tumor xenografts. These results suggest that SphK1 is a target of miR-124. To confirm this finding, we constructed a 3′-UTR-Luc-SphK1 vector and a binding site-mutated luciferase reporter vector. Co-transfection of 3′-UTR-Luc-SphK1 with miR-124 expression vector exhibited a 9-fold decrease in luciferase activity compared with mutated vector, suggesting that miR-124 inhibits SphK1 activity directly. Further studies on downstream signaling demonstrated accumulation of ceramide, increased expression of the pro-apoptotic Bax, BAD and PARP, decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and enhanced expression of cytochrome c and caspase proteins in JHU-22miR124 compared with JHU-22vec cells and tumor xenografts. We conclude that miR-124 acts as a tumor suppressor in HNSCC by directly inhibiting SphK1 activity and its downstream signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhao
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Ling
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Zhejiang Cancer Research Institute, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yubin Hao
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Xiaowu Pang
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Xianlin Han
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Joseph A Califano
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Liang Shan
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Howard University, Washington DC, USA.,Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Xinbin Gu
- Department of Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry, Howard University, Washington DC, USA.,Cancer Center, Howard University, Washington DC, USA
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Wegner MS, Gruber L, Mattjus P, Geisslinger G, Grösch S. The UDP-glucose ceramide glycosyltransferase (UGCG) and the link to multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1). BMC Cancer 2018; 18:153. [PMID: 29409484 PMCID: PMC5801679 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-018-4084-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The UDP-glucose ceramide glycosyltransferase (UGCG) is a key enzyme in the sphingolipid metabolism by generating glucosylceramide (GlcCer), the precursor for all glycosphingolipids (GSL), which are essential for proper cell function. Interestingly, the UGCG is also overexpressed in several cancer types and correlates with multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) gene expression. This membrane protein is responsible for efflux of toxic substances and protects cancer cells from cell damage through chemotherapeutic agents. Studies showed a connection between UGCG and MDR1 overexpression and multidrug resistance development, but the precise underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we give an overview about the UGCG and its connection to MDR1 in multidrug resistant cells. Furthermore, we focus on UGCG transcriptional regulation, the impact of UGCG on cellular signaling pathways and the effect of UGCG and MDR1 on the lipid composition of membranes and how this could influence multidrug resistance development. To our knowledge, this is the first review presenting an overview about UGCG with focus on the relationship to MDR1 in the process of multidrug resistance development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe-Susanna Wegner
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Lisa Gruber
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Peter Mattjus
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6A, III, BioCity, FI-20520, Turku, Finland
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, House 74, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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37
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Sukocheva OA. Expansion of Sphingosine Kinase and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Function in Normal and Cancer Cells: From Membrane Restructuring to Mediation of Estrogen Signaling and Stem Cell Programming. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020420. [PMID: 29385066 PMCID: PMC5855642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 01/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids, sphingolipid metabolizing enzymes, and their receptors network are being recognized as part of the signaling mechanisms, which govern breast cancer cell growth, migration, and survival during chemotherapy treatment. Approximately 70% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor (ER) positive and, thus, rely on estrogen signaling. Estrogen activates an intracellular network composed of many cytoplasmic and nuclear mediators. Some estrogen effects can be mediated by sphingolipids. Estrogen activates sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) and amplifies the intracellular concentration of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in breast cancer cells during stimulation of proliferation and survival. Specifically, Estrogen activates S1P receptors (S1PR) and induces growth factor receptor transactivation. SphK, S1P, and S1PR expression are causally associated with endocrine resistance and progression to advanced tumor stages in ER-positive breast cancers in vivo. Recently, the network of SphK/S1PR was shown to promote the development of ER-negative cancers and breast cancer stem cells, as well as stimulating angiogenesis. Novel findings confirm and broaden our knowledge about the cross-talk between sphingolipids and estrogen network in normal and malignant cells. Current S1PRs therapeutic inhibition was indicated as a promising chemotherapy approach in non-responsive and advanced malignancies. Considering that sphingolipid signaling has a prominent role in terminally differentiated cells, the impact should be considered when designing specific SphK/S1PR inhibitors. This study analyzes the dynamic of the transformation of sphingolipid axis during a transition from normal to pathological condition on the level of the whole organism. The sphingolipid-based mediation and facilitation of global effects of estrogen were critically accented as a bridging mechanism that should be explored in cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Sukocheva
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia.
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38
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Espaillat MP, Snider AJ, Qiu Z, Channer B, Coant N, Schuchman EH, Kew RR, Sheridan BS, Hannun YA, Obeid LM. Loss of acid ceramidase in myeloid cells suppresses intestinal neutrophil recruitment. FASEB J 2017; 32:2339-2353. [PMID: 29259036 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700585r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bioactive sphingolipids are modulators of immune processes and their metabolism is often dysregulated in ulcerative colitis, a major category of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While multiple axes of sphingolipid metabolism have been investigated to delineate mechanisms regulating ulcerative colitis, the role of acid ceramidase (AC) in intestinal inflammation is yet to be characterized. Here we demonstrate that AC expression is elevated selectively in the inflammatory infiltrate in human and murine colitis. To probe for mechanistic insight into how AC up-regulation can impact intestinal inflammation, we investigated the selective loss of AC expression in the myeloid population. Using a model of intestinal epithelial injury, we demonstrate that myeloid AC conditional knockout mice exhibit impairment of neutrophil recruitment to the colon mucosa as a result of defective cytokine and chemokine production. Furthermore, the loss of myeloid AC protects from tumor incidence in colitis-associated cancer (CAC) and inhibits the expansion of neutrophils and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, our results demonstrate a tissue-specific role for AC in regulating neutrophilic inflammation and cytokine production. We demonstrate novel mechanisms of how granulocytes are recruited to the colon that may have therapeutic potential in intestinal inflammation, IBD, and CAC.-Espaillat, M. P., Snider, A. J., Qiu, Z., Channer, B., Coant, N., Schuchman, E. H., Kew, R. R., Sheridan, B. S., Hannun, Y. A., Obeid, L. M. Loss of acid ceramidase in myeloid cells suppresses intestinal neutrophil recruitment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mel Pilar Espaillat
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Ashley J Snider
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA
| | - Zhijuan Qiu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Breana Channer
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Department of Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Nicolas Coant
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Edward H Schuchman
- Plexcera Therapeutics, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Richard R Kew
- Department of Pathology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Brian S Sheridan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Yusuf A Hannun
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA
| | - Lina M Obeid
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA.,Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York, USA
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39
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Lim NK, Weiss P, Li BX, McCulley CH, Hare SR, Bensema BL, Palazzo TA, Tantillo DJ, Zhang H, Gosselin F. Synthesis of Highly Stereodefined Tetrasubstituted Acyclic All-Carbon Olefins via a Syn-Elimination Approach. Org Lett 2017; 19:6212-6215. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.7b03141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ngiap-Kie Lim
- Department
of Small Molecule Process Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Patrick Weiss
- Department
of Small Molecule Process Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Beryl X. Li
- Department
of Small Molecule Process Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Christina H. McCulley
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Stephanie R. Hare
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Bronwyn L. Bensema
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Teresa A. Palazzo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Dean J. Tantillo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, 1 Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Haiming Zhang
- Department
of Small Molecule Process Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
| | - Francis Gosselin
- Department
of Small Molecule Process Chemistry, Genentech, Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, United States
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40
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Leignadier J, Dalenc F, Poirot M, Silvente-Poirot S. Improving the efficacy of hormone therapy in breast cancer: The role of cholesterol metabolism in SERM-mediated autophagy, cell differentiation and death. Biochem Pharmacol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.06.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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41
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Sharma A, Simonson TJ, Jondle CN, Mishra BB, Sharma J. Mincle-Mediated Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation by Regulation of Autophagy. J Infect Dis 2017; 215:1040-1048. [PMID: 28186242 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jix072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) constitute antimicrobial function of neutrophils but have also been linked to perpetuation of inflammation. Despite this evident physiological relevance, mechanistic understanding of NET formation is poor. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which Mincle, a C-type lectin receptor, regulates NET formation. Methods NET formation, reactive oxygen species, autophagy activation and intracellular signaling pathways were analyzed in Mincle-sufficient and -deficient neutrophils stimulated in vitro with various stimuli and in vivo during Klebsiella infection. Results We found that Mincle mediates NET formation in response to several activation stimuli in vitro and in vivo during pneumoseptic infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae, indicating its regulatory role in NET formation. Mechanistically, we show that attenuated NET formation in Mincle-/- neutrophils correlates with an impaired autophagy activation in vitro and in vivo, whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in these neutrophils remained intact. The requirement of autophagy in Mincle-mediated NET formation was further supported by exogenous treatment with autophagy inducer tamoxifen, which rescued the NET formation defect in Mincle-/- neutrophils. Conclusions Our findings identify a previously unrecognized role of Mincle as a regulator of autophagy, which mediates NET formation without affecting ROS generation. Our study addresses a major challenge in the field by positing this pathway to be targeted for modulation of NETs while preserving ROS production, an important innate immune defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atul Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks
| | - Tanner J Simonson
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks
| | - Christopher N Jondle
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks
| | - Bibhuti B Mishra
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks
| | - Jyotika Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks
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42
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Tan SF, Pearson JM, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. The emergence of acid ceramidase as a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:583-590. [PMID: 28434262 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1322065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common adult leukemia. Only a fraction of AML patients will survive with existing chemotherapy regimens. Hence, there is an urgent and unmet need to identify novel targets and develop better therapeutics in AML. In the past decade, the field of sphingolipid metabolism has emerged into the forefront of cancer biology due to its importance in cancer cell proliferation and survival. In particular, acid ceramidase (AC) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its role in neutralizing the pro-death effects of ceramide. Areas covered: This review highlights key information about AML biology as well as current knowledge on dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism in cancer and AML. We describe AC function and dysregulation in cancer, followed by a review of studies that report elevated AC in AML and compounds known to inhibit the enzyme. Expert opinion: AML has a great need for new drug targets and better therapeutic agents. The finding of elevated AC in AML supports the concept that this enzyme represents a novel and realistic therapeutic target for this common leukemia. More effort is needed towards developing better AC inhibitors for clinical use and combination treatment with existing AML therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fern Tan
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Jennifer M Pearson
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - David J Feith
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b University of Virginia Cancer Center , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b University of Virginia Cancer Center , Charlottesville , VA , USA
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43
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Morad SAF, Davis TS, MacDougall MR, Tan SF, Feith DJ, Desai DH, Amin SG, Kester M, Loughran TP, Cabot MC. Role of P-glycoprotein inhibitors in ceramide-based therapeutics for treatment of cancer. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 130:21-33. [PMID: 28189725 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The anticancer properties of ceramide, a sphingolipid with potent tumor-suppressor properties, can be dampened via glycosylation, notably in multidrug resistance wherein ceramide glycosylation is characteristically elevated. Earlier works using the ceramide analog, C6-ceramide, demonstrated that the antiestrogen tamoxifen, a first generation P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor, blocked C6-ceramide glycosylation and magnified apoptotic responses. The present investigation was undertaken with the goal of discovering non-anti-estrogenic alternatives to tamoxifen that could be employed as adjuvants for improving the efficacy of ceramide-centric therapeutics in treatment of cancer. Herein we demonstrate that the tamoxifen metabolites, desmethyltamoxifen and didesmethyltamoxifen, and specific, high-affinity P-gp inhibitors, tariquidar and zosuquidar, synergistically enhanced C6-ceramide cytotoxicity in multidrug resistant HL-60/VCR acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cells, whereas the selective estrogen receptor antagonist, fulvestrant, was ineffective. Active C6-ceramide-adjuvant combinations elicited mitochondrial ROS production and cytochrome c release, and induced apoptosis. Cytotoxicity was mitigated by introduction of antioxidant. Effective adjuvants markedly inhibited C6-ceramide glycosylation as well as conversion to sphingomyelin. Active regimens were also effective in KG-1a cells, a leukemia stem cell-like line, and in LoVo human colorectal cancer cells, a solid tumor model. In summary, our work details discovery of the link between P-gp inhibitors and the regulation and potentiation of ceramide metabolism in a pro-apoptotic direction in cancer cells. Given the active properties of these adjuvants in synergizing with C6-ceramide, independent of drug resistance status, stemness, or cancer type, our results suggest that the C6-ceramide-containing regimens could provide alternative, promising therapeutic direction, in addition to finding novel, off-label applications for P-gp inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samy A F Morad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC, United States; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Traci S Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Matthew R MacDougall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - David J Feith
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Dhimant H Desai
- Penn State University College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University Drive, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Shantu G Amin
- Penn State University College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University Drive, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Mark Kester
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC, United States.
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Mikelman S, Mardirossian N, Gnegy ME. Tamoxifen and amphetamine abuse: Are there therapeutic possibilities? J Chem Neuroanat 2016; 83-84:50-58. [PMID: 27585851 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although best known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), tamoxifen is a drug with a wide range of activities. Tamoxifen has demonstrated some efficacy has a therapeutic for bipolar mania and is believed to exert these effects through inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC). As the symptoms of amphetamine treatment in rodents are believed to mimic the symptoms of a manic episode, many of the preclinical studies for this indication have demonstrated that tamoxifen inhibits amphetamine action. The amphetamine-induced increase in extracellular dopamine which gives rise to the 'manic' effects is due to interaction of amphetamine with the dopamine transporter. We and others have demonstrated that PKC reduces amphetamine-induced reverse transport through the dopamine transporter. In this review, we will outline the actions of tamoxifen as a SERM and further detail another known action of tamoxifen-inhibition of PKC. We will summarize the literature showing how tamoxifen affects amphetamine action. Finally, we will present our hypothesis that tamoxifen, or an analog, could be used therapeutically to reduce amphetamine abuse in addition to treating mania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mikelman
- Department of Pharmacology, 2220E MSRB III, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 28109-5632, United States
| | - Natalie Mardirossian
- Department of Pharmacology, 2220E MSRB III, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 28109-5632, United States
| | - Margaret E Gnegy
- Department of Pharmacology, 2220E MSRB III, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 28109-5632, United States.
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Coelho RG, Calaça IC, Celestrini DM, Correia-Carneiro AHP, Costa MM, Zancan P, Sola-Penna M. Hexokinase and phosphofructokinase activity and intracellular distribution correlate with aggressiveness and invasiveness of human breast carcinoma. Oncotarget 2016; 6:29375-87. [PMID: 26320188 PMCID: PMC4745733 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycolytic enzymes, such as hexokinase and phosphofructokinase, have been reported to be upregulated in many cancer types. Here, we evaluated these two enzymes in 54 breast cancer samples collected from volunteers subjected to mastectomy, and the results were correlated with the prognosis markers commonly used. We found that both enzymes positively correlate with the major markers for invasiveness and aggressiveness. For invasiveness, the enzymes activities increase in parallel to the tumor size. Moreover, we found augmented activities for both enzymes when the samples were extirpated from patients presenting lymph node involvement or occurrence of metastasis. For aggressiveness, we stained the samples for the estrogen and progesterone receptors, HER-2, p53 and Ki-67. The enzyme activities positively correlated with all markers but Ki-67. Finally, we conclude that these enzymes are good markers for breast cancer prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel G Coelho
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo (LabECoM), Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.,Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo De Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.,Present address: Laboratório de Fisiologia Endócrina Doris Rosenthal (LFE), Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Isadora C Calaça
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo (LabECoM), Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Deborah M Celestrini
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo (LabECoM), Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Mauricio M Costa
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Patricia Zancan
- Laboratório de Oncobiologia Molecular (LabOMol), Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Mauro Sola-Penna
- Laboratório de Enzimologia e Controle do Metabolismo (LabECoM), Departamento de Biotecnologia Farmacêutica, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Morad SAF, Ryan TE, Neufer PD, Zeczycki TN, Davis TS, MacDougall MR, Fox TE, Tan SF, Feith DJ, Loughran TP, Kester M, Claxton DF, Barth BM, Deering TG, Cabot MC. Ceramide-tamoxifen regimen targets bioenergetic elements in acute myelogenous leukemia. J Lipid Res 2016; 57:1231-42. [PMID: 27140664 PMCID: PMC4918852 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m067389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The objective of our study was to determine the mechanism of action of the short-chain ceramide analog, C6-ceramide, and the breast cancer drug, tamoxifen, which we show coactively depress viability and induce apoptosis in human acute myelogenous leukemia cells. Exposure to the C6-ceramide-tamoxifen combination elicited decreases in mitochondrial membrane potential and complex I respiration, increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS), and release of mitochondrial proapoptotic proteins. Decreases in ATP levels, reduced glycolytic capacity, and reduced expression of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins also resulted. Cytotoxicity of the drug combination was mitigated by exposure to antioxidant. Cells metabolized C6-ceramide by glycosylation and hydrolysis, the latter leading to increases in long-chain ceramides. Tamoxifen potently blocked glycosylation of C6-ceramide and long-chain ceramides. N-desmethyltamoxifen, a poor antiestrogen and the major tamoxifen metabolite in humans, was also effective with C6-ceramide, indicating that traditional antiestrogen pathways are not involved in cellular responses. We conclude that cell death is driven by mitochondrial targeting and ROS generation and that tamoxifen enhances the ceramide effect by blocking its metabolism. As depletion of ATP and targeting the "Warburg effect" represent dynamic metabolic insult, this ceramide-containing combination may be of utility in the treatment of leukemia and other cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samy A F Morad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Terence E Ryan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - P Darrell Neufer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Tonya N Zeczycki
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Traci S Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Matthew R MacDougall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Todd E Fox
- Cancer Center, Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - David J Feith
- Cancer Center, Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine Oncology, Department of Medicine
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Cancer Center, Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Mark Kester
- Cancer Center, Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine
| | - David F Claxton
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA
| | - Brian M Barth
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
| | - Tye G Deering
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
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Pérez-Ramírez M, Hernández-Jiménez AJ, Guerrero-Guerrero A, Benadón-Darszon E, Pérezpeña-Díazconti M, Siordia-Reyes AG, García-Méndez A, de León FCP, Salamanca-Gómez FA, García-Hernández N. Genomics and epigenetics: A study of ependymomas in pediatric patients. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2016; 144:53-8. [PMID: 26971296 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2016.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We identify chromosomal alterations, the methylation pattern and gene expression changes in pediatric ependymomas. METHODS CGH microarray, methylation and gene expression were performed through the Agilent platform. The results were analyzed with the software MatLab, MapViewer, DAVID, GeneCards and Hippie. RESULTS Amplification was found in 14q32.33, 2p22.3 and 8p22, and deletion was found in 8p11.23-p11.22 and 1q21.3. We observed 42.387 CpG islands with changes in their methylation pattern, in which we found 272 genes involved in signaling pathways related to carcinogenesis. We found 481 genes with altered expression. The genes IMMT, JHDMD1D, ASAH1, ZWINT, IPO7, GNAO1 and CISD3 were found to be altered among the three levels. CONCLUSION The 2p22.3, 8p11.23-p11.22 and 14q32.33 regions were identified as the most important; the changes in the methylation pattern related to cell cycle and cancer genes occurred in MIB2, FGF18 and ITIH5. The IPO7, GNAO1 and ASAH1 genes may play a major role in ependymoma development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Pérez-Ramírez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06720 México D. F., Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Ciudad Universitaria 3000, Coyoacán, 04360 México D.F., Mexico
| | - Alejo Justino Hernández-Jiménez
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, 02980 Mexico D.F, Mexico
| | - Armando Guerrero-Guerrero
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, 02980 Mexico D.F, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Benadón-Darszon
- Departamento de Pediatría Ambulatoria, Hospital Infantil de México "Federico Gómez", Dr. Márquez 162, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06720 México D.F, Mexico
| | - Mario Pérezpeña-Díazconti
- Departamento de Patología, Hospital Infantil de México "Federico Gómez", Dr. Márquez 162, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06720 México D.F., Mexico
| | - Alicia Georgina Siordia-Reyes
- Servicio de Patología, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06720 México D.F., Mexico
| | - Antonio García-Méndez
- Servicio de Neurocirugía Pediátrica, Hospital General "Dr. Gaudencio González Garza", Centro Médico Nacional "La Raza", IMSS, Calzada Vallejo y Jacarandas S/N, Col. La Raza, Del. Azcapotzalco, 02980 Mexico D.F, Mexico
| | - Fernando Chico-Ponce de León
- Departamento de Neurocirugía, Hospital Infantil de México "Federico Gómez", Dr. Márquez 162, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06720 México D.F., Mexico
| | - Fabio Abdel Salamanca-Gómez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06720 México D. F., Mexico
| | - Normand García-Hernández
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Genética Humana, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freud", Centro Médico Nacional "Siglo XXI", IMSS, Av. Cuauhtémoc 330, Col. Doctores, Del. Cuauhtémoc, 06720 México D. F., Mexico.
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Ceramide 1-phosphate regulates cell migration and invasion of human pancreatic cancer cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2015; 102:107-119. [PMID: 26707801 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive and devastating disease characterized by invasiveness, rapid progression and profound resistance to treatment. Despite years of intense investigation, the prognosis of this type of cancer is poor and there is no efficacious treatment to overcome the disease. Using human PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2 cells, we demonstrate that the bioactive sphingolipid ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P) increases pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion. Treatment of these cells with selective inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt1, or mammalian target of rapamycin 1 (mTOR1), or with specific siRNAs to silence the genes encoding these kinases, resulted in potent inhibition of C1P-induced cell migration and invasion. Likewise, the extracellularly regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1-2), and the small GTPase RhoA, which regulates cytoskeleton reorganization, were also found to be implicated in C1P-stimulated ROCK1-dependent cancer cell migration and invasion. In addition, pre-treatment of the cancer cells with pertussis toxin abrogated C1P-induced cell migration, suggesting the intervention of a Gi protein-coupled receptor in this process. Pancreatic cancer cells engineered to overexpress ceramide kinase (CerK), the enzyme responsible for C1P biosynthesis in mammalian cells, showed enhanced spontaneous cell migration that was potently blocked by treatment with the selective CerK inhibitor NVP-231, or by treatment with specific CerK siRNA. Moreover, overexpression of CerK with concomitant elevations in C1P enhanced migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that C1P is a key regulator of pancreatic cancer cell motility, and suggest that targeting CerK expression/activity and C1P may be relevant factors for controlling pancreatic cancer cell dissemination.
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Encyclopedia of bacterial gene circuits whose presence or absence correlate with pathogenicity--a large-scale system analysis of decoded bacterial genomes. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:773. [PMID: 26459834 PMCID: PMC4603813 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1957-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bacterial infections comprise a global health challenge as the incidences of antibiotic resistance increase. Pathogenic potential of bacteria has been shown to be context dependent, varying in response to environment and even within the strains of the same genus. RESULTS We used the KEGG repository and extensive literature searches to identify among the 2527 bacterial genomes in the literature those implicated as pathogenic to the host, including those which show pathogenicity in a context dependent manner. Using data on the gene contents of these genomes, we identified sets of genes highly abundant in pathogenic but relatively absent in commensal strains and vice versa. In addition, we carried out genome comparison within a genus for the seventeen largest genera in our genome collection. We projected the resultant lists of ortholog genes onto KEGG bacterial pathways to identify clusters and circuits, which can be linked to either pathogenicity or synergy. Gene circuits relatively abundant in nonpathogenic bacteria often mediated biosynthesis of antibiotics. Other synergy-linked circuits reduced drug-induced toxicity. Pathogen-abundant gene circuits included modules in one-carbon folate, two-component system, type-3 secretion system, and peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Antibiotics-resistant bacterial strains possessed genes modulating phagocytosis, vesicle trafficking, cytoskeletal reorganization, and regulation of the inflammatory response. Our study also identified bacterial genera containing a circuit, elements of which were previously linked to Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSIONS Present study produces for the first time, a signature, in the form of a robust list of gene circuitry whose presence or absence could potentially define the pathogenicity of a microbiome. Extensive literature search substantiated a bulk majority of the commensal and pathogenic circuitry in our predicted list. Scanning microbiome libraries for these circuitry motifs will provide further insights into the complex and context dependent pathogenicity of bacteria.
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Desbats MA, Giacomini I, Prayer-Galetti T, Montopoli M. Iron granules in plasma cells. J Clin Pathol 1982; 10:281. [PMID: 32211323 PMCID: PMC7068907 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Resistance of cancer cells to chemotherapy is the first cause of cancer-associated death. Thus, new strategies to deal with the evasion of drug response and to improve clinical outcomes are needed. Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms associated with uncontrolled cell growth result in metabolism reprogramming. Cancer cells enhance anabolic pathways and acquire the ability to use different carbon sources besides glucose. An oxygen and nutrient-poor tumor microenvironment determines metabolic interactions among normal cells, cancer cells and the immune system giving rise to metabolically heterogeneous tumors which will partially respond to metabolic therapy. Here we go into the best-known cancer metabolic profiles and discuss several studies that reported tumors sensitization to chemotherapy by modulating metabolic pathways. Uncovering metabolic dependencies across different chemotherapy treatments could help to rationalize the use of metabolic modulators to overcome therapy resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Andrea Desbats
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
| | - Isabella Giacomini
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Monica Montopoli
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Monica Montopoli
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