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Alizadeh J, da Silva Rosa SC, Weng X, Jacobs J, Lorzadeh S, Ravandi A, Vitorino R, Pecic S, Zivkovic A, Stark H, Shojaei S, Ghavami S. Ceramides and ceramide synthases in cancer: Focus on apoptosis and autophagy. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151337. [PMID: 37392580 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Different studies corroborate a role for ceramide synthases and their downstream products, ceramides, in modulation of apoptosis and autophagy in the context of cancer. These mechanisms of regulation, however, appear to be context dependent in terms of ceramides' fatty acid chain length, subcellular localization, and the presence or absence of their downstream targets. Our current understanding of the role of ceramide synthases and ceramides in regulation of apoptosis and autophagy could be harnessed to pioneer the development of new treatments to activate or inhibit a single type of ceramide synthase, thereby regulating the apoptosis induction or cross talk of apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells. Moreover, the apoptotic function of ceramide suggests that ceramide analogues can pave the way for the development of novel cancer treatments. Therefore, in the current review paper we discuss the impact of ceramide synthases and ceramides in regulation of apoptosis and autophagy in context of different types of cancers. We also briefly introduce the latest information on ceramide synthase inhibitors, their application in diseases including cancer therapy, and discuss approaches for drug discovery in the field of ceramide synthase inhibitors. We finally discussed strategies for developing strategies to use lipids and ceramides analysis in biological fluids for developing early biomarkers for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Alizadeh
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Simone C da Silva Rosa
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Xiaohui Weng
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA 92834, United States
| | - Joadi Jacobs
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Shahrokh Lorzadeh
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Amir Ravandi
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 66 Chancellors Cir, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Rui Vitorino
- UnIC, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Stevan Pecic
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, 800 N. State College, Fullerton, CA 92834, United States
| | - Aleksandra Zivkovic
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetstrasse 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetstrasse 1, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Shahla Shojaei
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada; Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland; Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada.
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2
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Musso G, Saba F, Cassader M, Gambino R. Lipidomics in pathogenesis, progression and treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): Recent advances. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 91:101238. [PMID: 37244504 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2023.101238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease affecting up to 30% of the general adult population. NAFLD encompasses a histological spectrum ranging from pure steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can progress to cirrhosis and is becoming the most common indication for liver transplantation, as a result of increasing disease prevalence and of the absence of approved treatments. Lipidomic readouts of liver blood and urine samples from experimental models and from NASH patients disclosed an abnormal lipid composition and metabolism. Collectively, these changes impair organelle function and promote cell damage, necro-inflammation and fibrosis, a condition termed lipotoxicity. We will discuss the lipid species and metabolic pathways leading to NASH development and progression to cirrhosis, as well as and those species that can contribute to inflammation resolution and fibrosis regression. We will also focus on emerging lipid-based therapeutic opportunities, including specialized proresolving lipid molecules and macrovesicles contributing to cell-to-cell communication and NASH pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Musso
- Dept of Emergency Medicine, San Luigi Gonzaga University Hospital, Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - Francesca Saba
- Dept. of Medical Sciences, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cassader
- Dept. of Medical Sciences, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Gambino
- Dept. of Medical Sciences, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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3
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Jain V, Harper SL, Versace AM, Fingerman D, Brown GS, Bhardwaj M, Crissey MAS, Goldman AR, Ruthel G, Liu Q, Zivkovic A, Stark H, Herlyn M, Gimotty PA, Speicher DW, Amaravadi RK. Targeting UGCG Overcomes Resistance to Lysosomal Autophagy Inhibition. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:454-473. [PMID: 36331284 PMCID: PMC9905280 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomal autophagy inhibition (LAI) with hydroxychloroquine or DC661 can enhance cancer therapy, but tumor regrowth is common. To elucidate LAI resistance, proteomics and immunoblotting demonstrated that LAI induced lipid metabolism enzymes in multiple cancer cell lines. Lipidomics showed that LAI increased cholesterol, sphingolipids, and glycosphingolipids. These changes were associated with striking levels of GM1+ membrane microdomains (GMM) in plasma membranes and lysosomes. Inhibition of cholesterol/sphingolipid metabolism proteins enhanced LAI cytotoxicity. Targeting UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) synergistically augmented LAI cytotoxicity. Although UGCG inhibition decreased LAI-induced GMM and augmented cell death, UGCG overexpression led to LAI resistance. Melanoma patients with high UGCG expression had significantly shorter disease-specific survival. The FDA-approved UGCG inhibitor eliglustat combined with LAI significantly inhibited tumor growth and improved survival in syngeneic tumors and a therapy-resistant patient-derived xenograft. These findings nominate UGCG as a new cancer target, and clinical trials testing UGCG inhibition in combination with LAI are warranted. SIGNIFICANCE We discovered UGCG-dependent lipid remodeling drives resistance to LAI. Targeting UGCG with a drug approved for a lysosomal storage disorder enhanced LAI antitumor activity without toxicity. LAI and UGCG inhibition could be tested clinically in multiple cancers. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 247.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Jain
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Amanda M. Versace
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | | | - Monika Bhardwaj
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mary Ann S. Crissey
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Gordon Ruthel
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Qin Liu
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Aleksandra Zivkovic
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Holgar Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 1, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Phyllis A. Gimotty
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David W. Speicher
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Corresponding authors: Ravi K. Amaravadi, MD, University of Pennsylvania, 852 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-796-5159, ; David W. Speicher, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-898-3972,
| | - Ravi K. Amaravadi
- Abramson Cancer Center and Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Corresponding authors: Ravi K. Amaravadi, MD, University of Pennsylvania, 852 BRB 2/3, 421 Curie Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-796-5159, ; David W. Speicher, The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, Tel: 215-898-3972,
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4
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Griess K, Rieck M, Müller N, Karsai G, Hartwig S, Pelligra A, Hardt R, Schlegel C, Kuboth J, Uhlemeyer C, Trenkamp S, Jeruschke K, Weiss J, Peifer-Weiss L, Xu W, Cames S, Yi X, Cnop M, Beller M, Stark H, Kondadi AK, Reichert AS, Markgraf D, Wammers M, Häussinger D, Kuss O, Lehr S, Eizirik D, Lickert H, Lammert E, Roden M, Winter D, Al-Hasani H, Höglinger D, Hornemann T, Brüning JC, Belgardt BF. Sphingolipid subtypes differentially control proinsulin processing and systemic glucose homeostasis. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:20-29. [PMID: 36543979 PMCID: PMC9859757 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-01027-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Impaired proinsulin-to-insulin processing in pancreatic β-cells is a key defective step in both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes (T2D) (refs. 1,2), but the mechanisms involved remain to be defined. Altered metabolism of sphingolipids (SLs) has been linked to development of obesity, type 1 diabetes and T2D (refs. 3-8); nonetheless, the role of specific SL species in β-cell function and demise is unclear. Here we define the lipid signature of T2D-associated β-cell failure, including an imbalance of specific very-long-chain SLs and long-chain SLs. β-cell-specific ablation of CerS2, the enzyme necessary for generation of very-long-chain SLs, selectively reduces insulin content, impairs insulin secretion and disturbs systemic glucose tolerance in multiple complementary models. In contrast, ablation of long-chain-SL-synthesizing enzymes has no effect on insulin content. By quantitatively defining the SL-protein interactome, we reveal that CerS2 ablation affects SL binding to several endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi transport proteins, including Tmed2, which we define as an endogenous regulator of the essential proinsulin processing enzyme Pcsk1. Our study uncovers roles for specific SL subtypes and SL-binding proteins in β-cell function and T2D-associated β-cell failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Griess
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Rieck
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nadine Müller
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gergely Karsai
- Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Hartwig
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Angela Pelligra
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Robert Hardt
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Caroline Schlegel
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kuboth
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Celina Uhlemeyer
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sandra Trenkamp
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kay Jeruschke
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jürgen Weiss
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leon Peifer-Weiss
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Weiwei Xu
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sandra Cames
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Xiaoyan Yi
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research, Medical Faculty, Université Libre De Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Miriam Cnop
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research, Medical Faculty, Université Libre De Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathias Beller
- Institute for Mathematical Modeling of Biological Systems and Systems Biology of Lipid Metabolism, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Arun Kumar Kondadi
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas S Reichert
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel Markgraf
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marianne Wammers
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Häussinger
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oliver Kuss
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Biometrics and Epidemiology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Stefan Lehr
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Decio Eizirik
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research, Medical Faculty, Université Libre De Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Welbio, Medical Faculty, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heiko Lickert
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes and Regeneration Research, Helmholtz Center Munich, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eckhard Lammert
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dominic Winter
- Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Faculty, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hadi Al-Hasani
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Doris Höglinger
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Hornemann
- Center for Integrative Human Physiology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
- Policlinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (PEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bengt-Frederik Belgardt
- Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Neuherberg, Germany.
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5
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Camacho-Muñoz D, Niven J, Kucuk S, Cucchi D, Certo M, Jones SW, Fischer DP, Mauro C, Nicolaou A. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reverse the impact of western diets on regulatory T cell responses through averting ceramide-mediated pathways. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 204:115211. [PMID: 35985403 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Western diet (WD), high in sugar and fat, promotes obesity and associated chronic low-grade pro-inflammatory environment, leading to impaired immune function, reprogramming of innate and adaptive immune cells, and development of chronic degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Increased concentrations of circulating and tissue ceramides contribute to inflammation and cellular dysfunction common in immune metabolic and cardiometabolic disease. Therefore, ceramide-lowering interventions have been considered as strategies to improve adipose tissue health. Here, we report the ability of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFA) to attenuate inflammatory phenotypes promoted by WD, through ceramide-dependent pathways. Using an animal model, we show that enrichment of WD diet with n-3PUFA, reduced the expression of ceramide synthase 2 (CerS2), and lowered the concentration of long-chain ceramides (C23-C26) in plasma and adipose tissues. N-3PUFA also increased prevalence of the anti-inflammatory CD4+Foxp3+ and CD4+Foxp3+CD25+ Treg subtypes in lymphoid organs. The CerS inhibitor FTY720 mirrored the effect of n-3PUFA. Treatment of animal and human T cells with ceramide C24 in vitro, reduced CD4+Foxp3+ Treg polarisation and IL-10 production, and increased IL-17, while it decreased Erk and Akt phosphorylation downstream of T cell antigen receptors (TCR). These findings suggest that molecular mechanisms mediating the adverse effect of ceramides on regulatory T lymphocytes, progress through reduced TCR signalling. Our findings suggest that nutritional enrichment of WD with fish oil n-3PUFA can partially mitigate its detrimental effects, potentially improving the low-grade inflammation associated with immune metabolic disease. Compared to pharmacological interventions, n-3PUFA offer a simpler approach that can be accommodated as lifestyle choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dolores Camacho-Muñoz
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Biology, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jennifer Niven
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Salih Kucuk
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Danilo Cucchi
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Michelangelo Certo
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Simon W Jones
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Deborah P Fischer
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Biology, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Claudio Mauro
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK; William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Anna Nicolaou
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Biology, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9PT, UK; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
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6
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Novel and Promising Strategies for Therapy of Post-Transplant Chronic GVHD. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15091100. [PMID: 36145321 PMCID: PMC9503665 DOI: 10.3390/ph15091100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the achievements that have increased viability after the transplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells (aHSCT), chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) remains the main cause of late complications and post-transplant deaths. At the moment, therapy alternatives demonstrate limited effectiveness in steroid-refractory illness; in addition, we have no reliable data on the mechanism of this condition. The lack of drugs of choice for the treatment of GVHD underscores the significance of the design of new therapies. Improved understanding of the mechanism of chronic GVHD has secured new therapy goals, and organized diagnostic recommendations and the development of medical tests have ensured a general language and routes for studies in this field. These factors, combined with the rapid development of pharmacology, have helped speed up the search of medicines and medical studies regarding chronic GVHD. At present, we can hope for success in curing this formidable complication. This review summarizes the latest clinical developments in new treatments for chronic GVHD.
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7
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Tian L, Ogretmen B, Chung BY, Yu XZ. Sphingolipid metabolism in T cell responses after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:904823. [PMID: 36052066 PMCID: PMC9425084 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.904823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is an effective immunotherapy against hematopoietic malignancies. The infused donor lymphocytes attack malignant cells and normal tissues, termed a graft-verse-leukemia (GVL) effect and graft-verse-host (GVH) response or disease (GVHD), respectively. Although engineering techniques toward donor graft selection have made HCT more specific and effective, primary tumor relapse and GVHD are still major concerns post allo-HCT. High-dose systemic steroids remain to be the first line of GVHD treatment, which may lead to steroid-refractory GVHD with a dismal outcome. Therefore, identifying novel therapeutic strategies that prevent GVHD while preserving GVL activity is highly warranted. Sphingolipid metabolism and metabolites play pivotal roles in regulating T-cell homeostasis and biological functions. In this review, we summarized the recent research progress in this evolving field of sphingolipids with a focus on alloreactive T-cell responses in the context of allo-HCT. We discussed how sphingolipid metabolism regulates T-cell mediated GVH and GVL responses in allo-HCT and presented the rationale and means to target sphingolipid metabolism for the control of GVHD and leukemia relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlu Tian
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Brian Y. Chung
- The Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Xue-Zhong Yu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- The Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- *Correspondence: Xue-Zhong Yu,
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8
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Ceramide synthase 6 impacts T-cell allogeneic response and graft-versus-host disease through regulating N-RAS/ERK pathway. Leukemia 2022; 36:1907-1915. [PMID: 35513703 PMCID: PMC9256768 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01581-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is an effective immunotherapy for various hematologic malignances, predominantly through potent graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect. However, the mortality after allo-HCT is because of relapse of primary malignancy and followed by graft-vs-host-disease (GVHD) as a major cause of transplant-related mortality. Hence, strategies to limit GVHD while preserving the GVL effect are highly desirable. Ceramide, which serves a central role in sphingolipid metabolism, is generated by ceramide synthases (CerS1–6). In this study, we found that genetic or pharmacologic targeting of CerS6 prevented and reversed chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Furthermore, specific inhibition of CerS6 with ST1072 significantly ameliorated acute GVHD (aGVHD) while preserving the GVL effect, which differed from FTY720 that attenuated aGVHD but impaired GVL activity. At the cellular level, blockade of CerS6 restrained donor T cells from migrating into GVHD target organs and preferentially reduced activation of donor CD4 T cells. At the molecular level, CerS6 was required for optimal TCR signaling, CD3/PKCθ co-localization, and subsequent N-RAS activation and ERK signaling, especially on CD4+ T cells. The current study provides rationale and means for targeting CerS6 to control GVHD and leukemia relapse, which would enhance the efficacy of allo-HCT as an immunotherapy for hematologic malignancies in the clinic.
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9
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Thomas JM, Sudhadevi T, Basa P, Ha AW, Natarajan V, Harijith A. The Role of Sphingolipid Signaling in Oxidative Lung Injury and Pathogenesis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031254. [PMID: 35163176 PMCID: PMC8835774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Premature infants are born with developing lungs burdened by surfactant deficiency and a dearth of antioxidant defense systems. Survival rate of such infants has significantly improved due to advances in care involving mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation. However, a significant subset of such survivors develops the chronic lung disease, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), characterized by enlarged, simplified alveoli and deformed airways. Among a host of factors contributing to the pathogenesis is oxidative damage induced by exposure of the developing lungs to hyperoxia. Recent data indicate that hyperoxia induces aberrant sphingolipid signaling, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (ROS). The role of sphingolipids such as ceramides and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), in the development of BPD emerged in the last decade. Both ceramide and S1P are elevated in tracheal aspirates of premature infants of <32 weeks gestational age developing BPD. This was faithfully reflected in the murine models of hyperoxia and BPD, where there is an increased expression of sphingolipid metabolites both in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment of neonatal pups with a sphingosine kinase1 specific inhibitor, PF543, resulted in protection against BPD as neonates, accompanied by improved lung function and reduced airway remodeling as adults. This was accompanied by reduced mitochondrial ROS formation. S1P receptor1 induced by hyperoxia also aggravates BPD, revealing another potential druggable target in this pathway for BPD. In this review we aim to provide a detailed description on the role played by sphingolipid signaling in hyperoxia induced lung injury and BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya M. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
| | - Tara Sudhadevi
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
| | - Prathima Basa
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
| | - Alison W. Ha
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Viswanathan Natarajan
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA;
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Anantha Harijith
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(216)-286-7038
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10
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Shalaby YM, Al Aidaros A, Valappil A, Ali BR, Akawi N. Role of Ceramides in the Molecular Pathogenesis and Potential Therapeutic Strategies of Cardiometabolic Diseases: What we Know so Far. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:816301. [PMID: 35127726 PMCID: PMC8808480 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.816301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramides represent a class of biologically active lipids that are involved in orchestrating vital signal transduction pathways responsible for regulating cellular differentiation and proliferation. However, accumulating clinical evidence have shown that ceramides are playing a detrimental role in the pathogenesis of several diseases including cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and obesity, collectively referred to as cardiometabolic disease. Therefore, it has become necessary to study in depth the role of ceramides in the pathophysiology of such diseases, aiming to tailor more efficient treatment regimens. Furthermore, understanding the contribution of ceramides to the pathological molecular mechanisms of those interrelated conditions may improve not only the therapeutic but also the diagnostic and preventive approaches of the preceding hazardous events. Hence, the purpose of this article is to review currently available evidence on the role of ceramides as a common factor in the pathological mechanisms of cardiometabolic diseases as well as the mechanism of action of the latest ceramides-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssef M Shalaby
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ahram Canadian University, Egypt
| | - Anas Al Aidaros
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anjana Valappil
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassam R Ali
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Zayed Centre for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nadia Akawi
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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11
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Qu Z, Zhou L. Drug Development in the Field of Sphinogolipid Metabolism. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1372:169-188. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-0394-6_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Ceramide Metabolism Enzymes-Therapeutic Targets against Cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 57:medicina57070729. [PMID: 34357010 PMCID: PMC8303233 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57070729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids are both structural molecules that are essential for cell architecture and second messengers that are involved in numerous cell functions. Ceramide is the central hub of sphingolipid metabolism. In addition to being the precursor of complex sphingolipids, ceramides induce cell cycle arrest and promote cell death and inflammation. At least some of the enzymes involved in the regulation of sphingolipid metabolism are altered in carcinogenesis, and some are targets for anticancer drugs. A number of scientific reports have shown how alterations in sphingolipid pools can affect cell proliferation, survival and migration. Determination of sphingolipid levels and the regulation of the enzymes that are implicated in their metabolism is a key factor for developing novel therapeutic strategies or improving conventional therapies. The present review highlights the importance of bioactive sphingolipids and their regulatory enzymes as targets for therapeutic interventions with especial emphasis in carcinogenesis and cancer dissemination.
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13
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Akawi N, Checa A, Antonopoulos AS, Akoumianakis I, Daskalaki E, Kotanidis CP, Kondo H, Lee K, Yesilyurt D, Badi I, Polkinghorne M, Akbar N, Lundgren J, Chuaiphichai S, Choudhury R, Neubauer S, Channon KM, Torekov SS, Wheelock CE, Antoniades C. Fat-Secreted Ceramides Regulate Vascular Redox State and Influence Outcomes in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease. J Am Coll Cardiol 2021; 77:2494-2513. [PMID: 34016263 PMCID: PMC8141611 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.03.314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with increased cardiovascular risk; however, the potential role of dysregulations in the adipose tissue (AT) metabolome is unknown. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to explore the role of dysregulation in the AT metabolome on vascular redox signaling and cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS A screen was conducted for metabolites differentially secreted by thoracic AT (ThAT) and subcutaneous AT in obese patients with atherosclerosis (n = 48), and these metabolites were then linked with dysregulated vascular redox signaling in 633 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. The underlying mechanisms were explored in human aortic endothelial cells, and their clinical value was tested against hard clinical endpoints. RESULTS Because ThAT volume was associated significantly with arterial oxidative stress, there were significant differences in sphingolipid secretion between ThAT and subcutaneous AT, with C16:0-ceramide and derivatives being the most abundant species released within adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles. High ThAT sphingolipid secretion was significantly associated with reduced endothelial nitric oxide bioavailability and increased superoxide generated in human vessels. Circulating C16:0-ceramide correlated positively with ThAT ceramides, dysregulated vascular redox signaling, and increased systemic inflammation in 633 patients with atherosclerosis. Exogenous C16:0-ceramide directly increased superoxide via tetrahydrobiopterin-mediated endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling and dysregulated protein phosphatase 2 in human aortic endothelial cells. High plasma C16:0-ceramide and its glycosylated derivative were independently related with increased risk for cardiac mortality (adjusted hazard ratios: 1.394; 95% confidence interval: 1.030 to 1.886; p = 0.031 for C16:0-ceramide and 1.595; 95% confidence interval: 1.042 to 2.442; p = 0.032 for C16:0-glycosylceramide per 1 SD). In a randomized controlled clinical trial, 1-year treatment of obese patients with the glucagon-like peptide-1 analog liraglutide suppressed plasma C16:0-ceramide and C16:0-glycosylceramide changes compared with control subjects. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate for the first time in humans that AT-derived ceramides are modifiable regulators of vascular redox state in obesity, with a direct impact on cardiac mortality in advanced atherosclerosis. (The Interaction Between Appetite Hormones; NCT02094183).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Akawi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. https://twitter.com/NadiaAkawi
| | - Antonio Checa
- Division of Physiological Chemistry II, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alexios S Antonopoulos
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ioannis Akoumianakis
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelia Daskalaki
- Division of Physiological Chemistry II, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christos P Kotanidis
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hidekazu Kondo
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kirsten Lee
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dilan Yesilyurt
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ileana Badi
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Murray Polkinghorne
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Naveed Akbar
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Julie Lundgren
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Surawee Chuaiphichai
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Choudhury
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Neubauer
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Keith M Channon
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Signe S Torekov
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Craig E Wheelock
- Division of Physiological Chemistry II, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charalambos Antoniades
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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14
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Skácel J, Slusher BS, Tsukamoto T. Small Molecule Inhibitors Targeting Biosynthesis of Ceramide, the Central Hub of the Sphingolipid Network. J Med Chem 2021; 64:279-297. [PMID: 33395289 PMCID: PMC8023021 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ceramides are composed of a sphingosine and a single fatty acid connected by an amide linkage. As one of the major classes of biologically active lipids, ceramides and their upstream and downstream metabolites have been implicated in several pathological conditions including cancer, neurodegeneration, diabetes, microbial pathogenesis, obesity, and inflammation. Consequently, tremendous efforts have been devoted to deciphering the dynamics of metabolic pathways involved in ceramide biosynthesis. Given that several distinct enzymes can produce ceramide, different enzyme targets have been pursued depending on the underlying disease mechanism. The main objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of small molecule inhibitors reported to date for each of these ceramide-producing enzymes from a medicinal chemistry perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Skácel
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery and Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery and Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Takashi Tsukamoto
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery and Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
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15
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Multiomic blood correlates of genetic risk identify presymptomatic disease alterations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:21813-21820. [PMID: 32817414 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2001429117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transitions from health to disease are characterized by dysregulation of biological networks under the influence of genetic and environmental factors, often over the course of years to decades before clinical symptoms appear. Understanding these dynamics has important implications for preventive medicine. However, progress has been hindered both by the difficulty of identifying individuals who will eventually go on to develop a particular disease and by the inaccessibility of most disease-relevant tissues in living individuals. Here we developed an alternative approach using polygenic risk scores (PRSs) based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for 54 diseases and complex traits coupled with multiomic profiling and found that these PRSs were associated with 766 detectable alterations in proteomic, metabolomic, and standard clinical laboratory measurements (clinical labs) from blood plasma across several thousand mostly healthy individuals. We recapitulated a variety of known relationships (e.g., glutamatergic neurotransmission and inflammation with depression, IL-33 with asthma) and found associations directly suggesting therapeutic strategies (e.g., Ω-6 supplementation and IL-13 inhibition for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and influences on longevity (leukemia inhibitory factor, ceramides). Analytes altered in high-genetic-risk individuals showed concordant changes in disease cases, supporting the notion that PRS-associated analytes represent presymptomatic disease alterations. Our results provide insights into the molecular pathophysiology of a range of traits and suggest avenues for the prevention of health-to-disease transitions.
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16
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Saleem M, Herrmann N, Dinoff A, Marzolini S, Mielke MM, Andreazza A, Oh PI, Vattem Venkata SL, Haughey NJ, Lanctôt KL. Association Between Sphingolipids and Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Undertaking Cardiac Rehabilitation. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2020; 75:671-679. [PMID: 30535238 PMCID: PMC7931966 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term benefits conferred by cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in those with coronary artery disease (CAD) are strongly linked with an improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness. This study aimed to determine the association between peripheral sphingolipids and cardiopulmonary fitness in CAD subjects undertaking CR. Patients with CAD (n = 100, mean age = 64 ± 6 years, 85% male, mean years of education = 17 ± 3 years) underwent 6 months of CR with blood collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Cardiopulmonary fitness was assessed by measuring peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) at all time points. High performance liquid chromatography coupled electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify plasma sphingolipid concentrations. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between sphingolipids and VO2peak were assessed using linear regressions and mixed models, respectively. Higher concentrations of sphingomyelin C18:1 (β = -0.26, p = .01), ceramides C16:0 (β = -0.24, p = .02), C18:0 (β = -0.29, p = .002), C20:0 (β = -0.24, p = .02) and C24:1 (β = -0.24, p = .01) and monohexylceramide C18:0 (β = -0.23, p = .02) were associated with poorer VO2peak at baseline. An improvement in VO2peak was associated with a decrease in sphingomyelin C18:1 (b = -10.09, p = .006), ceramides C16:0 (b = -9.25, p = .0003), C18:0 (b = -5.44, p = .0003) and C24:1 (b = -2.46, p = .006) and monohexylceramide C18:0 (b = -5.37, p = .005). Specific long chain sphingolipids may be useful markers of fitness and response to exercise in CAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahwesh Saleem
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Adam Dinoff
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Michelle M Mielke
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
- Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Ana Andreazza
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
| | - Paul I Oh
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Norman J Haughey
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research Group, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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17
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Wigger D, Gulbins E, Kleuser B, Schumacher F. Monitoring the Sphingolipid de novo Synthesis by Stable-Isotope Labeling and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:210. [PMID: 31632963 PMCID: PMC6779703 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are a class of lipids that share a sphingoid base backbone. They exert various effects in eukaryotes, ranging from structural roles in plasma membranes to cellular signaling. De novo sphingolipid synthesis takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where the condensation of the activated C16 fatty acid palmitoyl-CoA and the amino acid L-serine is catalyzed by serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT). The product, 3-ketosphinganine, is then converted into more complex sphingolipids by additional ER-bound enzymes, resulting in the formation of ceramides. Since sphingolipid homeostasis is crucial to numerous cellular functions, improved assessment of sphingolipid metabolism will be key to better understanding several human diseases. To date, no assay exists capable of monitoring de novo synthesis sphingolipid in its entirety. Here, we have established a cell-free assay utilizing rat liver microsomes containing all the enzymes necessary for bottom-up synthesis of ceramides. Following lipid extraction, we were able to track the different intermediates of the sphingolipid metabolism pathway, namely 3-ketosphinganine, sphinganine, dihydroceramide, and ceramide. This was achieved by chromatographic separation of sphingolipid metabolites followed by detection of their accurate mass and characteristic fragmentations through high-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem-mass spectrometry. We were able to distinguish, unequivocally, between de novo synthesized sphingolipids and intrinsic species, inevitably present in the microsome preparations, through the addition of stable isotope-labeled palmitate-d3 and L-serine-d3. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a method monitoring the entirety of ER-associated sphingolipid biosynthesis. Proof-of-concept data was provided by modulating the levels of supplied cofactors (e.g., NADPH) or the addition of specific enzyme inhibitors (e.g., fumonisin B1). The presented microsomal assay may serve as a useful tool for monitoring alterations in sphingolipid de novo synthesis in cells or tissues. Additionally, our methodology may be used for metabolism studies of atypical substrates - naturally occurring or chemically tailored - as well as novel inhibitors of enzymes involved in sphingolipid de novo synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Wigger
- Department of Toxicology, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Erich Gulbins
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Burkhard Kleuser
- Department of Toxicology, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Fabian Schumacher
- Department of Toxicology, University of Potsdam, Nuthetal, Germany.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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18
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Abstract
Mechanistic details for the roles of sphingolipids and their downstream targets in the regulation of tumor growth, response to chemo/radiotherapy, and metastasis have been investigated in recent studies using innovative molecular, genetic and pharmacologic tools in various cancer models. Induction of ceramide generation in response to cellular stress by chemotherapy, radiation, or exogenous ceramide analog drugs mediates cell death via apoptosis, necroptosis, or mitophagy. In this chapter, distinct functions and mechanisms of action of endogenous ceramides with different fatty acyl chain lengths in the regulation of cancer cell death versus survival will be discussed. In addition, importance of ceramide subcellular localization, trafficking, and lipid-protein binding between ceramide and various target proteins in cancer cells will be reviewed. Moreover, clinical trials from structure-function-based studies to restore antiproliferative ceramide signaling by activating ceramide synthesis will also be analyzed. Future studies are important to understand the mechanistic involvement of ceramide-mediated cell death in anticancer therapy, including immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Nganga
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Natalia Oleinik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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19
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Brachtendorf S, El-Hindi K, Grösch S. WITHDRAWN: Ceramide synthases in cancer therapy and chemoresistance. Prog Lipid Res 2019:100992. [PMID: 31442523 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2019.100992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Brachtendorf
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Khadija El-Hindi
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, Frankfurt 60590, Germany
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20
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Brachtendorf S, El-Hindi K, Grösch S. Ceramide synthases in cancer therapy and chemoresistance. Prog Lipid Res 2019; 74:160-185. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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21
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Snider JM, Luberto C, Hannun YA. Approaches for probing and evaluating mammalian sphingolipid metabolism. Anal Biochem 2019; 575:70-86. [PMID: 30917945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2019.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolism plays a critical role in regulating processes that control cellular fate. This dynamic pathway can generate and degrade the central players: ceramide, sphingosine and sphingosine-1-phosphate in almost any membrane in the cell, adding an unexpected level of complexity in deciphering signaling events. While in vitro assays have been developed for most enzymes in SL metabolism, these assays are setup for optimal activity conditions and can fail to take into account regulatory components such as compartmentalization, substrate limitations, and binding partners that can affect cellular enzymatic activity. Therefore, many in-cell assays have been developed to derive results that are authentic to the cellular situation which may give context to alteration in SL mass. This review will discuss approaches for utilizing probes for mammalian in-cell assays to interrogate most enzymatic steps central to SL metabolism. The use of inhibitors in conjunction with these probes can verify the specificity of cellular assays as well as provide valuable insight into flux in the SL network. The use of inhibitors specific to each of the central sphingolipid enzymes are also discussed to assist researchers in further interrogation of these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Snider
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; The Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Chiara Luberto
- The Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Yusuf A Hannun
- Department of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; The Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA; Departments of Biochemistry, Pathology and Pharmacology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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22
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Morris AP, Le TH, Wu H, Akbarov A, van der Most PJ, Hemani G, Smith GD, Mahajan A, Gaulton KJ, Nadkarni GN, Valladares-Salgado A, Wacher-Rodarte N, Mychaleckyj JC, Dueker ND, Guo X, Hai Y, Haessler J, Kamatani Y, Stilp AM, Zhu G, Cook JP, Ärnlöv J, Blanton SH, de Borst MH, Bottinger EP, Buchanan TA, Cechova S, Charchar FJ, Chu PL, Damman J, Eales J, Gharavi AG, Giedraitis V, Heath AC, Ipp E, Kiryluk K, Kramer HJ, Kubo M, Larsson A, Lindgren CM, Lu Y, Madden PAF, Montgomery GW, Papanicolaou GJ, Raffel LJ, Sacco RL, Sanchez E, Stark H, Sundstrom J, Taylor KD, Xiang AH, Zivkovic A, Lind L, Ingelsson E, Martin NG, Whitfield JB, Cai J, Laurie CC, Okada Y, Matsuda K, Kooperberg C, Chen YDI, Rundek T, Rich SS, Loos RJF, Parra EJ, Cruz M, Rotter JI, Snieder H, Tomaszewski M, Humphreys BD, Franceschini N. Trans-ethnic kidney function association study reveals putative causal genes and effects on kidney-specific disease aetiologies. Nat Commun 2019; 10:29. [PMID: 30604766 PMCID: PMC6318312 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07867-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects ~10% of the global population, with considerable ethnic differences in prevalence and aetiology. We assemble genome-wide association studies of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function that defines CKD, in 312,468 individuals of diverse ancestry. We identify 127 distinct association signals with homogeneous effects on eGFR across ancestries and enrichment in genomic annotations including kidney-specific histone modifications. Fine-mapping reveals 40 high-confidence variants driving eGFR associations and highlights putative causal genes with cell-type specific expression in glomerulus, and in proximal and distal nephron. Mendelian randomisation supports causal effects of eGFR on overall and cause-specific CKD, kidney stone formation, diastolic blood pressure and hypertension. These results define novel molecular mechanisms and putative causal genes for eGFR, offering insight into clinical outcomes and routes to CKD treatment development. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is a measure of kidney function used to define chronic kidney disease. Here, Morris et al. perform trans-ethnic genome-wide meta-analyses for eGFR in 312,468 individuals and identify novel loci and downstream putative causal genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Morris
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK. .,Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.
| | - Thu H Le
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Haojia Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Artur Akbarov
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Peter J van der Most
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Gibran Hemani
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
| | - George Davey Smith
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
| | - Anubha Mahajan
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Kyle J Gaulton
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92161, USA
| | - Girish N Nadkarni
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Division of Nephrology and Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Adan Valladares-Salgado
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Bioquímica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, 06720, Mexico
| | - Niels Wacher-Rodarte
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Epidemiologia Clinica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, 06720, Mexico
| | - Josyf C Mychaleckyj
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Nicole D Dueker
- John P Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Xiuqing Guo
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Yang Hai
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Jeffrey Haessler
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109-1024, USA
| | - Yoichiro Kamatani
- Laboratory for Statistical Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Adrienne M Stilp
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Gu Zhu
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - James P Cook
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK
| | - Johan Ärnlöv
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, 141 83, Sweden.,School of Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, 791 88, Sweden
| | - Susan H Blanton
- John P Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33124, USA.,Dr John T Macdonald Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Martin H de Borst
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Erwin P Bottinger
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Thomas A Buchanan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Sylvia Cechova
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Fadi J Charchar
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK.,Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Pei-Lun Chu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, 242, Taiwan
| | - Jeffrey Damman
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - James Eales
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Ali G Gharavi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Vilmantas Giedraitis
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
| | - Andrew C Heath
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Eli Ipp
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA.,Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Krzysztof Kiryluk
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Holly J Kramer
- Department of Medicine and Nephrology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA
| | - Michiaki Kubo
- Laboratory for Genotyping Development, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Anders Larsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
| | - Cecilia M Lindgren
- Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK.,Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK.,Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Boston, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Yingchang Lu
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Pamela A F Madden
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Grant W Montgomery
- Brisbane Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - George J Papanicolaou
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Leslie J Raffel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine, University of California, Irvine Orange, CA, 92868, USA
| | - Ralph L Sacco
- Departments of Neurology and Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.,Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.,Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136-1096, USA
| | - Elena Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Johan Sundstrom
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
| | - Kent D Taylor
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Anny H Xiang
- Department of Research and Education, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA, 91101, USA
| | - Aleksandra Zivkovic
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, 40225, Germany
| | - Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Epidemiology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
| | - Erik Ingelsson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94309, USA.,Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94309, USA.,Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.,Department of Medical Sciences, Molecular Epidemiology and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - John B Whitfield
- Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Jianwen Cai
- Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center, Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7420, USA
| | - Cathy C Laurie
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yukinori Okada
- Laboratory for Statistical Analysis, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 230-0045, Japan.,Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Koichi Matsuda
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Charles Kooperberg
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109-1024, USA
| | - Yii-Der Ida Chen
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Tatjana Rundek
- Departments of Neurology and Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.,Evelyn F McKnight Brain Institute, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Stephen S Rich
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Ruth J F Loos
- Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Esteban J Parra
- Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto at Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, L5L 1C6, Canada
| | - Miguel Cruz
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Bioquímica, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, 06720, Mexico
| | - Jerome I Rotter
- Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, 90502, USA
| | - Harold Snieder
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Maciej Tomaszewski
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Benjamin D Humphreys
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Nora Franceschini
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516-8050, USA.
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23
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Albeituni S, Stiban J. Roles of Ceramides and Other Sphingolipids in Immune Cell Function and Inflammation. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1161:169-191. [PMID: 31562630 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-21735-8_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ceramides are bioactive sphingolipids that support the structure of the plasma membrane and mediate numerous cell-signaling events in eukaryotic cells. The finding that ceramides act as second messengers transducing cellular signals has attracted substantial attention in several fields of Biology. Since all cells contain lipid plasma membranes, the impact of various ceramides, ceramide synthases, ceramide metabolites, and other sphingolipids has been implicated in a vast range of cellular functions including, migration, proliferation, response to external stimuli, and death. The roles of lipids in these functions widely differ among the diverse cell types. Herein, we discuss the roles of ceramides and other sphingolipids in mediating the function of various immune cells; particularly dendritic cells, neutrophils, and macrophages. In addition, we highlight the main studies describing effects of ceramides in inflammation, specifically in various inflammatory settings including insulin resistance, graft-versus-host disease, immune suppression in cancer, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrin Albeituni
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Johnny Stiban
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine.
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24
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Bieberich E. Sphingolipids and lipid rafts: Novel concepts and methods of analysis. Chem Phys Lipids 2018; 216:114-131. [PMID: 30194926 PMCID: PMC6196108 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
About twenty years ago, the functional lipid raft model of the plasma membrane was published. It took into account decades of research showing that cellular membranes are not just homogenous mixtures of lipids and proteins. Lateral anisotropy leads to assembly of membrane domains with specific lipid and protein composition regulating vesicular traffic, cell polarity, and cell signaling pathways in a plethora of biological processes. However, what appeared to be a clearly defined entity of clustered raft lipids and proteins became increasingly fluid over the years, and many of the fundamental questions about biogenesis and structure of lipid rafts remained unanswered. Experimental obstacles in visualizing lipids and their interactions hampered progress in understanding just how big rafts are, where and when they are formed, and with which proteins raft lipids interact. In recent years, we have begun to answer some of these questions and sphingolipids may take center stage in re-defining the meaning and functional significance of lipid rafts. In addition to the archetypical cholesterol-sphingomyelin raft with liquid ordered (Lo) phase and the liquid-disordered (Ld) non-raft regions of cellular membranes, a third type of microdomains termed ceramide-rich platforms (CRPs) with gel-like structure has been identified. CRPs are "ceramide rafts" that may offer some fresh view on the membrane mesostructure and answer several critical questions for our understanding of lipid rafts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erhard Bieberich
- Department of Physiology at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.
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25
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A selective inhibitor of ceramide synthase 1 reveals a novel role in fat metabolism. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3165. [PMID: 30131496 PMCID: PMC6104039 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05613-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific forms of the lipid ceramide, synthesized by the ceramide synthase enzyme family, are believed to regulate metabolic physiology. Genetic mouse models have established C16 ceramide as a driver of insulin resistance in liver and adipose tissue. C18 ceramide, synthesized by ceramide synthase 1 (CerS1), is abundant in skeletal muscle and suggested to promote insulin resistance in humans. We herein describe the first isoform-specific ceramide synthase inhibitor, P053, which inhibits CerS1 with nanomolar potency. Lipidomic profiling shows that P053 is highly selective for CerS1. Daily P053 administration to mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) increases fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and impedes increases in muscle triglycerides and adiposity, but does not protect against HFD-induced insulin resistance. Our inhibitor therefore allowed us to define a role for CerS1 as an endogenous inhibitor of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in muscle and regulator of whole-body adiposity. Ceramides are signalling molecules that regulate several physiological functions including insulin sensitivity. Here the authors report a selective ceramide synthase 1 inhibitor that counteracts lipid accumulation within the muscle and adiposity by increasing fatty acid oxidation but without affecting insulin sensitivity in mice fed with an obesogenic diet.
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26
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Musso G, Cassader M, Paschetta E, Gambino R. Bioactive Lipid Species and Metabolic Pathways in Progression and Resolution of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology 2018; 155:282-302.e8. [PMID: 29906416 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.06.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 204] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing worldwide, yet there are no effective treatments. A decade has passed since the initial lipidomics analyses of liver tissues from patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We have learned that liver cells from patients with NASH have an abnormal lipid composition and that the accumulation of lipids leads to organelle dysfunction, cell injury and death, and chronic inflammation, called lipotoxicity. We review the lipid species and metabolic pathways that contribute to the pathogenesis of NASH and potential therapeutic targets, including enzymes involved in fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis, bioactive sphingolipids and polyunsaturated-derived eicosanoids, and specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators. We discuss the concept that NASH is a disease that can resolve and the roles of lipid molecules in the resolution of inflammation and regression of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maurizio Cassader
- Department of Medical Sciences, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Gambino
- Department of Medical Sciences, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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27
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Matsufuji T, Kinoshita M, Möuts A, Slotte JP, Matsumori N. Preparation and Membrane Properties of Oxidized Ceramide Derivatives. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:465-471. [PMID: 29231736 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b02654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Ceramide is a bioactive lipid with important roles in several biological processes including cell proliferation and apoptosis. Although 3-ketoceramides that contain a keto group in place of the 3-OH group of ceramide occur naturally, ceramide derivatives oxidized at the primary 1-OH group have not been identified to date. To evaluate how the oxidative state of the 1-OH group affects the physical properties of membranes, we prepared novel ceramide derivatives in which the 1-OH group was oxidized to a carboxylic acid (PCerCOOH) or methylester (PCerCOOMe) and examined the rigidity of their monolayers and the formation of gel domains in palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) or sphingomyelin (SM) bilayers. As a result, PCerCOOH and PCerCOOMe exhibited membrane properties similar to those of native ceramide, although the deprotonated form of PCerCOOH, PCerCOO-, exhibited markedly lower rigidity and higher miscibility with POPC and SM. This was attributed to the electrostatic repulsion of the negative charge, which hampered the formation of the ceramide-enriched gel domain. The similarities in the properties of PCerCOOMe and ceramide revealed the potential to introduce various functional groups onto PCerCOOH via ester or amide linkages; therefore, these derivatives will also provide a new strategy for developing molecular probes, such as fluorescent ceramides, and inhibitors of ceramide-related enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Matsufuji
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University , 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Masanao Kinoshita
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University , 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Anna Möuts
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University , Turku 20500, Finland
| | - J Peter Slotte
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University , Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Nobuaki Matsumori
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kyushu University , 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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28
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Sofi MH, Heinrichs J, Dany M, Nguyen H, Dai M, Bastian D, Schutt S, Wu Y, Daenthanasanmak A, Gencer S, Zivkovic A, Szulc Z, Stark H, Liu C, Chang YJ, Ogretmen B, Yu XZ. Ceramide synthesis regulates T cell activity and GVHD development. JCI Insight 2017; 2:91701. [PMID: 28515365 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.91701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is an effective immunotherapy for a variety of hematologic malignances, yet its efficacy is impeded by the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). GVHD is characterized by activation, expansion, cytokine production, and migration of alloreactive donor T cells. Hence, strategies to limit GVHD are highly desirable. Ceramides are known to contribute to inflammation and autoimmunity. However, their involvement in T-cell responses to alloantigens is undefined. In the current study, we specifically characterized the role of ceramide synthase 6 (CerS6) after allo-HCT using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. We found that CerS6 was required for optimal T cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine production in response to alloantigen and for subsequent induction of GVHD. However, CerS6 was partially dispensable for the T cell-mediated antileukemia effect. At the molecular level, CerS6 was required for efficient TCR signal transduction, including tyrosine phosphorylation, ZAP-70 activation, and PKCθ/TCR colocalization. Impaired generation of C16-ceramide was responsible for diminished allogeneic T cell responses. Furthermore, targeting CerS6 using a specific inhibitor significantly reduced T cell activation in mouse and human T cells in vitro. Our study provides a rationale for targeting CerS6 to control GVHD, which would enhance the efficacy of allo-HCT as an immunotherapy for hematologic malignancies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohammed Dany
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Hung Nguyen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and
| | - Min Dai
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and
| | | | | | - Yongxia Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and
| | | | - Salih Gencer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Aleksandra Zivkovic
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Zdzislaw Szulc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ying-Jun Chang
- Peking University People's Hospital and Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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29
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Qi H, Priyadarsini S, Nicholas SE, Sarker-Nag A, Allegood J, Chalfant CE, Mandal NA, Karamichos D. Analysis of sphingolipids in human corneal fibroblasts from normal and keratoconus patients. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:636-648. [PMID: 28188148 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m067264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Revised: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of human keratoconus (KC), a bilateral progressive corneal disease leading to protrusion of the cornea, stromal thinning, and scarring, is not well-understood. In this study, we investigated a novel sphingolipid (SPL) signaling pathway through which KC may be regulated. Using human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) and human KC cells (HKCs), we examined the SPL pathway modulation. Both cell types were stimulated by the three transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isoforms: TGF-β1 (T1), TGF-β2 (T2), and TGF-β3 (T3). All samples were analyzed using lipidomics and real-time PCR. Our data showed that HKCs have increased levels of signaling SPLs, ceramide (Cer), and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Treatment with T1 reversed the increase in Cer in HKCs and treatment with T3 reversed the increase in S1P. S1P3 receptor mRNA levels were also significantly upregulated in HKCs, but were reduced to normal levels following T3 treatment. Furthermore, stimulation with Cer and S1P led to significant upregulation of fibrotic markers in HCFs, but not in HKCs. Additionally, stimulation with a Cer synthesis inhibitor (FTY720) led to significant downregulation of specific fibrotic markers in HKCs (TGF-β1, collagen type III, and α smooth muscle actin) without an effect on healthy HCFs, suggesting a causative role of Cer and S1P in fibrogenesis. Overall, this study suggests an association of the SPL signaling pathway in KC disease and its relation with the TGF-β pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Qi
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Shrestha Priyadarsini
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Sarah E Nicholas
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Akhee Sarker-Nag
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Jeremy Allegood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23249
| | - Charles E Chalfant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23249; Research and Development, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249 and VCU Massey Cancer Center, VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, and VCU Johnson Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Nawajes A Mandal
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
| | - Dimitrios Karamichos
- Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104; Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC), Oklahoma City, OK 73104.
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Fucho R, Casals N, Serra D, Herrero L. Ceramides and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in obesity. FASEB J 2016; 31:1263-1272. [PMID: 28003342 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201601156r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is an epidemic, complex disease that is characterized by increased glucose, lipids, and low-grade inflammation in the circulation, among other factors. It creates the perfect scenario for the production of ceramide, the building block of the sphingolipid family of lipids, which is involved in metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. In addition, obesity causes a decrease in fatty acid oxidation (FAO), which contributes to lipid accumulation within the cells, conferring more susceptibility to cell dysfunction. C16:0 ceramide, a specific ceramide species, has been identified recently as the principal mediator of obesity-derived insulin resistance, impaired fatty acid oxidation, and hepatic steatosis. In this review, we have sought to cover the importance of the ceramide species and their metabolism, the main ceramide signaling pathways in obesity, and the link between C16:0 ceramide, FAO, and obesity.-Fucho, R., Casals, N., Serra, D., Herrero, L. Ceramides and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Fucho
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, Institut de Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Casals
- Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain; and.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dolors Serra
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, Institut de Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Herrero
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, Institut de Biomedicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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31
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Vogt D, Stark H. Therapeutic Strategies and Pharmacological Tools Influencing S1P Signaling and Metabolism. Med Res Rev 2016; 37:3-51. [PMID: 27480072 DOI: 10.1002/med.21402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During the last two decades the study of the sphingolipid anabolic, catabolic, and signaling pathways has attracted enormous interest. Especially the introduction of fingolimod into market as first p.o. therapeutic for the treatment of multiple sclerosis has boosted this effect. Although the complex regulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and other catabolic and anabolic sphingosine-related compounds is not fully understood, the influence on different (patho)physiological states from inflammation to cytotoxicity as well as the availability of versatile pharmacological tools that represent new approaches to study these states are described. Here, we have summarized various aspects concerning the many faces of sphingolipid function modulation by different pharmacological tools up to clinical candidates. Due to the immense heterogeneity of physiological or pharmacological actions and complex cross regulations, it is difficult to predict their role in upcoming therapeutic approaches. Currently, inflammatory, immunological, and/or antitumor aspects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Vogt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, D-60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Holger Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Wegner MS, Schiffmann S, Parnham MJ, Geisslinger G, Grösch S. The enigma of ceramide synthase regulation in mammalian cells. Prog Lipid Res 2016; 63:93-119. [PMID: 27180613 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2016.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ceramide synthases (CerS) are key enzymes in the lipid metabolism of eukaryotic cells. Their products, ceramides (Cer), are components of cellular membranes but also mediate signaling functions in physiological processes such as proliferation, skin barrier function and cerebellar development. In pathophysiological processes such as multiple sclerosis and tumor progression, ceramide levels are altered, which can be ascribed, partly, to dysregulation of CerS gene transcription. Most publications deal with the effects of altered ceramide levels on physiological and pathophysiological processes, but the regulation of the appropriate CerS is frequently not investigated. This is insufficient for the clarification of the role of ceramides, because most ceramide species are generated by at least two CerS. The mechanisms of CerS regulation are manifold and it seems that each CerS isoform is regulated individually. For this reason, we discuss the different CerS separately in this review. From transcriptional regulation to alteration of protein activity, the possibilities to influence CerS are diverse. Furthermore, CerS are influenced by a variety of molecules including hormones and lipids. Without claiming completeness, we provide a résumé of the regulatory mechanisms for each CerS in mammalian cells and how dysregulation of these mechanisms during physiological processes may lead to pathophysiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marthe-Susanna Wegner
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann- Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Susanne Schiffmann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (TMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael John Parnham
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Project Group Translational Medicine and Pharmacology (TMP), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gerd Geisslinger
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann- Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Johann- Wolfgang Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Stiles M, Qi H, Sun E, Tan J, Porter H, Allegood J, Chalfant CE, Yasumura D, Matthes MT, LaVail MM, Mandal NA. Sphingolipid profile alters in retinal dystrophic P23H-1 rats and systemic FTY720 can delay retinal degeneration. J Lipid Res 2016; 57:818-31. [PMID: 26947037 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m063719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinal degeneration (RD) affects millions of people and is a major cause of ocular impairment and blindness. With a wide range of mutations and conditions leading to degeneration, targeting downstream processes is necessary for developing effective treatments. Ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate, a pair of bioactive sphingolipids, are involved in apoptosis and its prevention, respectively. Apoptotic cell death is a potential driver of RD, and in order to understand the mechanism of degeneration and potential treatments, we studied rhodopsin mutant RD model, P23H-1 rats. Investigating this genetic model of human RD allows us to investigate the association of sphingolipid metabolites with the degeneration of the retina in P23H-1 rats and the effects of a specific modulator of sphingolipid metabolism, FTY720. We found that P23H-1 rat retinas had altered sphingolipid profiles that, when treated with FTY720, were rebalanced closer to normal levels. FTY720-treated rats also showed protection from RD compared with their vehicle-treated littermates. Based on these data, we conclude that sphingolipid dysregulation plays a secondary role in retinal cell death, which may be common to many forms of RDs, and that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved drug FTY720 or related compounds that modulate sphingolipid metabolism could potentially delay the cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Stiles
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Hui Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Eleanor Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Jeremy Tan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Hunter Porter
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
| | - Jeremy Allegood
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Charles E Chalfant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 Research and Development, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23249 Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298 Virginia Commonwealth University Institute of Molecular Medicine and the Virginia Commonwealth University Johnson Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298
| | - Douglas Yasumura
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Michael T Matthes
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Matthew M LaVail
- Beckman Vision Center, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA 94143
| | - Nawajes A Mandal
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Department of Cell Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
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Gosejacob D, Jäger PS, Vom Dorp K, Frejno M, Carstensen AC, Köhnke M, Degen J, Dörmann P, Hoch M. Ceramide Synthase 5 Is Essential to Maintain C16:0-Ceramide Pools and Contributes to the Development of Diet-induced Obesity. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:6989-7003. [PMID: 26853464 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.691212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramides are bioactive sphingolipids, which are composed of sphingoid bases carrying acyl chains of various lengths. Ceramides are synthesized by a family of six ceramide synthases (CerS) in mammals, which produce ceramides with differentN-linked acyl chains. Increased ceramide levels are known to contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the ceramide acylation pattern is of particular importance for an organism to maintain energy homeostasis. However, which of theCerSfamily members are involved in this process is not yet completely known. Using newly developedCerS5knock-out mice, we show here thatCerS5is essential to maintain cellular C16:0sphingolipid pools in lung, spleen, muscle, liver, and white adipose tissue. Glycerophospholipid levels inCerS5-deficient mice were not altered. We found a strong impact of CerS5-dependent ceramide synthesis in white adipose tissue after high fat diet feeding. In skeletal muscle, liver, and spleen, C16:0-ceramide levels were altered independent of feeding conditions. The loss ofCerS5is associated with reduced weight gain and improved systemic health, including maintenance of glucose homeostasis and reduced white adipose tissue inflammation after high fat diet challenge. Our findings indicate that reduction of endogenous C16:0-ceramide by genetic inhibition ofCerS5is sufficient to ameliorate obesity and its comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Gosejacob
- From the LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Strasse 31 and
| | - Philipp S Jäger
- From the LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Strasse 31 and
| | - Katharina Vom Dorp
- IMBIO, Molecular Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Frejno
- From the LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Strasse 31 and
| | - Anne C Carstensen
- From the LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Strasse 31 and
| | - Monika Köhnke
- From the LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Strasse 31 and
| | - Joachim Degen
- From the LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Strasse 31 and
| | - Peter Dörmann
- IMBIO, Molecular Biotechnology, University of Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13, 53115 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hoch
- From the LIMES-Institute, Program Unit Development, Genetics and Molecular Physiology, Molecular Developmental Biology, University of Bonn, Carl-Troll-Strasse 31 and
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Toop HD, Don AS, Morris JC. Synthesis and biological evaluation of analogs of AAL(S) for use as ceramide synthase 1 inhibitors. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:11593-6. [PMID: 26535908 DOI: 10.1039/c5ob01931a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
A convergent synthesis to access hydrophobic tail analogs and head group modifications of AAL(S) is described. The analogs synthesised were evaluated for their ability to inhibit ceramide synthase 1 and for their cytotoxicity in K562 cells. Our results have identified inhibitors which are non-cytotoxic yet maintain CerS1 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamish D Toop
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
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36
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Cingolani F, Futerman AH, Casas J. Ceramide synthases in biomedical research. Chem Phys Lipids 2015; 197:25-32. [PMID: 26248326 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemphyslip.2015.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Revised: 07/30/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipid metabolism consists of multiple metabolic pathways that converge upon ceramide, one of the key molecules among sphingolipids (SLs). In mammals, ceramide synthesis occurs via N-acylation of sphingoid backbones, dihydrosphingosine (dhSo) or sphingosine (So). The reaction is catalyzed by ceramide synthases (CerS), a family of enzymes with six different isoforms, with each one showing specificity towards a restricted group of acyl-CoAs, thus producing ceramides (Cer) and dihydroceramides (dhCer) with different fatty acid chain lengths. A large body of evidence documents the role of both So and dhSo as bioactive molecules, as well as the involvement of dhCer and Cer in physiological and pathological processes. In particular, the fatty acid composition of Cer has different effects in cell biology and in the onset and progression of different diseases. Therefore, modulation of CerS activity represents an attractive target in biomedical research and in finding new treatment modalities. In this review, we discuss functional, structural and biochemical features of CerS and examine CerS inhibitors that are currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cingolani
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anthony H Futerman
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Josefina Casas
- Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Bellini L, Campana M, Mahfouz R, Carlier A, Véret J, Magnan C, Hajduch E, Le Stunff H. Targeting sphingolipid metabolism in the treatment of obesity/type 2 diabetes. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2015; 19:1037-50. [PMID: 25814122 DOI: 10.1517/14728222.2015.1028359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Obesity is a major factor that is linked to the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Excess circulating fatty acids (FAs), which characterize obesity, induce insulin resistance, steatosis, β cells dysfunction and apoptosis. These deleterious effects have been defined as lipotoxicity. AREAS COVERED FAs are metabolized to different lipid species, including ceramides which play a crucial role in lipotoxicity. The action of ceramides on tissues, such as muscle, liver, adipose tissue and pancreatic β cells, during the development of T2D will also be reviewed. In addition, the potential antagonist action of other sphingolipids, namely sphingoid base phosphates, on lipotoxicity in skeletal muscle and β cells will be addressed. EXPERT OPINION Ceramide is a critical mediator to the development of T2D linked to obesity. Targeting proteins involved in ceramide's deleterious action has not been possible due to their involvement in many other intracellular signaling pathways. A possible means of counteracting ceramide action would be to prevent the accumulation of the specific ceramide species involved in both insulin resistance and β-cell apoptosis/dysfunction. Another possibility would be to adjust the dynamic balance between ceramide and sphingoid base phosphate, both known to display opposing properties on the development of T2D-linked obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Bellini
- Université PARIS-DIDEROT (7), Unité Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative - UMR CNRS 8251, Équipe Régulation de la glycémie par le système nerveux central (REGLYS) , 4, rue Marie-Andrée Lagroua Weill-Halle, 75205 PARIS Cedex 13 , France +01 57 27 77 97 ; +01 57 27 77 96 ;
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Rüger K, Ottenlinger F, Schröder M, Živković A, Stark H, Pfeilschifter JM, Radeke HH. Modulation of IL-33/ST2-TIR and TLR Signalling Pathway by Fingolimod and Analogues in Immune Cells. Scand J Immunol 2014; 80:398-407. [DOI: 10.1111/sji.12238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Rüger
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES; Clinic of the J.W. Goethe University; Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - F. Ottenlinger
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES; Clinic of the J.W. Goethe University; Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - M. Schröder
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES; Clinic of the J.W. Goethe University; Frankfurt am Main Germany
- BioMed X Innovation Center; Heildelberg Germany
| | - A. Živković
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Goethe University Frankfurt; Biozentrum; Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - H. Stark
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Goethe University Frankfurt; Biozentrum; Frankfurt am Main Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry; Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf; Düsseldorf Germany
| | - J. M. Pfeilschifter
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES; Clinic of the J.W. Goethe University; Frankfurt am Main Germany
| | - H. H. Radeke
- pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES; Clinic of the J.W. Goethe University; Frankfurt am Main Germany
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Park JW, Park WJ, Futerman AH. Ceramide synthases as potential targets for therapeutic intervention in human diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2013; 1841:671-81. [PMID: 24021978 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2013.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ceramide is located at a key hub in the sphingolipid metabolic pathway and also acts as an important cellular signaling molecule. Ceramide contains one acyl chain which is attached to a sphingoid long chain base via an amide bond, with the acyl chain varying in length and degree of saturation. The identification of a family of six mammalian ceramide synthases (CerS) that synthesize ceramide with distinct acyl chains, has led to significant advances in our understanding of ceramide biology, including further delineation of the role of ceramide in various pathophysiologies in both mice and humans. Since ceramides, and the complex sphingolipids generated from ceramide, are implicated in disease, the CerS might potentially be novel targets for therapeutic intervention in the diseases in which the ceramide acyl chain length is altered. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled New Frontiers in Sphingolipid Biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Won Park
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 158-710, South Korea
| | - Woo-Jae Park
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 406-799, South Korea
| | - Anthony H Futerman
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Abstract
Ceramide, a bioactive sphingolipid, is now at the forefront of cancer research. Classically, ceramide is thought to induce death, growth inhibition, and senescence in cancer cells. However, it is now clear that this simple picture of ceramide no longer holds true. Recent studies suggest that there are diverse functions of endogenously generated ceramides, which seem to be context dependent, regulated by subcellular/membrane localization and presence/absence of direct targets of these lipid molecules. For example, different fatty-acid chain lengths of ceramide, such as C(16)-ceramide that can be generated by ceramide synthase 6 (CerS6), have been implicated in cancer cell proliferation, whereas CerS1-generated C(18)-ceramide mediates cell death. The dichotomy of ceramides' function in cancer cells makes some of the metabolic enzymes of ceramide synthesis potential drug targets (such as Cers6) to prevent cancer growth in breast and head and neck cancers. Conversely, activation of CerS1 could be a new therapeutic option for the development of novel strategies against lung and head and neck cancers. This chapter focuses on recent discoveries about the mechanistic details of mainly de novo-generated ceramides and their signaling functions in cancer pathogenesis, and about how these mechanistic information can be translated into clinically relevant therapeutic options for the treatment of cancer.
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Azzam R, Hariri F, El-Hachem N, Kamar A, Dbaibo G, Nemer G, Bitar F. Regulation of de novo ceramide synthesis: the role of dihydroceramide desaturase and transcriptional factors NFATC and Hand2 in the hypoxic mouse heart. DNA Cell Biol 2013; 32:310-9. [PMID: 23672204 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2013.1993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that ceramide, a proapoptotic molecule decreases in the mouse heart as it adapts to hypoxia. We have also shown that its precursor, dihydroceramide, accumulates with hypoxia. This implicates the enzyme dihydroceramide desaturase (DHC-DS), which converts dihydroceramide to ceramide, in a potential regulatory checkpoint in cardiomyocytes. We hypothesised that the regulation of de novo ceramide synthesis plays an important role in the cardiomyocyte adaptation to hypoxia. We used an established mouse model to induce acute and chronic hypoxia. Cardiac tissues were extracted and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to evaluate the expression levels of DHC-DS. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assays (EMSAs) and qRT-PCR were used to evaluate the activity and expression levels of an array of transcription factors that might regulate DEGS1 gene expression. We demonstrated that DEGS1 mRNA levels decrease with time in hypoxic mice concurrent with the decrease in HAND2 transcripts. Interestingly, the DEGS1 promoter harbors overlapping sites for Hand2 and Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells (NFATC) transcription factors. We have demonstrated a physical interaction between NFATC1 and the E-Box proteins with EMSA and coimmunoprecipitation assays. The regulation of de novo ceramide synthesis in response to hypoxia and this newly described interaction between E-box and NFATC transcription factors will pave the way to identify new pathways in the adaptation of the cardiomyocyte to stress. The elucidation of these pathways will in the long-term provide insights into potential targets for novel therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raed Azzam
- Department of Pediatrics, American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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