Targeting sphingolipid metabolism as an approach for combination therapies in haematological malignancies

Reprogramming of Fatty Acid Metabolism in Acute Leukemia

Fatty acids are essential biomolecules that support several cellular processes, such as membrane structures, energy storage and production, as well as signal transduction. Accordingly, changes in fatty acid metabolism can have a significant impact on cell behavior, such as growth, survival, proliferation, differentiation, and motility. Therefore, it is not surprising that many aspects of fatty acid metabolism are frequently dysregulated in human cancer, including in highly aggressive blood cancers such as acute leukemia. The aims of this review are to summarize the aspects of fatty acid metabolism that are specifically coopted in acute leukemia as well as current preclinical strategies for targeting fatty acid metabolism in these cancers.

Synergistic effect of the sphingosine kinase inhibitor safingol in combination with 2'-nitroflavone in breast cancer

Sphingosine kinase-1 (SPHK1), the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of the pro-oncogenic molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate, is commonly upregulated in breast cancer cells and has been linked with poor prognosis and progression by promoting cell transformation, proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Therefore, SPHK1-targeting drugs have been proposed for breast cancer treatment, with better antitumor results when they are combined with chemotherapy. Previously, we demonstrated that the synthetic flavonoid 2'-nitroflavone (2'NF) exerted a potent and selective antiproliferative effect in murine HER2-positive LM3 mammary tumor cells. As we found that these cells overexpress SPHK1, we decided to explore the antitumor action of the combination of SPHK inhibitors (safingol or SKI-II) with 2'NF. In vitro assays showed that the combination induced a synergistic antiproliferative effect in LM3 cells. Similar results were obtained when human HER2-positive MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells were treated with the combination of 2'NF/safingol. We also found that safingol potentiated the 2'NF apoptotic effect in both cell lines. The synergistic antitumor effect was confirmed in vivo in an LM3 syngeneic breast cancer model. Moreover, western blot analysis of tumor lysates revealed that combined treatment increased PARP cleavage and Bax protein levels and decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 protein levels. Additionally, mice treated with both compounds showed no histopathological effects on different organ tissues. In summary, these findings suggest that the combination safingol/2'NF can be proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for HER2-positive breast cancer treatment. KEY MESSAGES: The combination safingol/2'-nitroflavone exerts a synergic antitumor action in vitro. Safingol potentiates 2'-nitroflavone apoptotic effect in breast cancer cells. Safingol enhances the 2'-nitroflavone antitumor activity in vivo in breast cancer.

Extracellular Vesicle Inhibitors Enhance Cholix-Induced Cell Death via Regulation of the JNK-Dependent Pathway

Vibrio cholerae is an important foodborne pathogen. Cholix cytotoxin (Cholix), produced by V. cholerae, is a novel eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) adenosine diphosphate ribosyltransferase that causes host cell death by inhibiting protein synthesis. However, the role of Cholix in the infectious diseases caused by V. cholerae remains unclear. Some bacterial cytotoxins are carried by host extracellular vesicles (EVs) and transferred to other cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of EV inhibitors and EV-regulating proteins on Cholix-induced hepatocyte death. We observed that Cholix-induced cell death was significantly enhanced in the presence of EV inhibitors (e.g., dimethyl amiloride, and desipramine) and Rab27a-knockdown cells, but it did not involve a sphingomyelin-dependent pathway. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that desipramine, imipramine, and EV inhibitors promoted the Cholix-activated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Furthermore, JNK inhibition decreased desipramine-enhanced Cholix-induced poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. In addition, suppression of Apaf-1 by small interfering RNA further enhanced Cholix-induced PARP cleavage by desipramine. We identified a novel function of desipramine in which the stimulated JNK pathway promoted a mitochondria-independent cell death pathway by Cholix.

Role of blood metabolites in mediating the effect of gut microbiome on the mutated-RAS/BRAF metastatic colorectal cancer-specific survival

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have linked alterations in the gut microbiome and metabolic disruptions to the invasive behavior and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC), thus affecting patient prognosis. However, the specific relationship among gut microbiome, metabolite profiles, and mutated-RAS/BRAF metastatic colorectal cancer (M-mCRC) remains unclear. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms and prognostic implications of metabolic changes induced by gut microbiome alterations in patients with M-mCRC still need to be better understood.

METHODS

We conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate the causal relationship of genetically predicted 196 gut microbiome features and 1400 plasma metabolites/metabolite ratios on M-mCRC-specific survival. Additionally, we identified significant gut microbiome-metabolites/metabolite ratio associations based on M-mCRC. Metabolite information was annotated, and functional annotation and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on shared proteins corresponding to significant metabolite ratios, aiming to reveal potential mechanisms by which gut microbiome influences M-mCRC prognosis via modulation of human metabolism.

RESULTS

We identified 11 gut microbiome features and 49 known metabolites/metabolite ratios correlated with M-mCRC-specific survival. Furthermore, we identified 17 gut microbiome-metabolite/metabolite ratio associations specific to M-mCRC, involving eight lipid metabolites and three bilirubin degradation products. The shared proteins corresponding to significant metabolite ratios were predominantly localized within the integral component of the membrane and exhibited enzymatic activities such as glucuronosyltransferase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, crucial in processes such as glucuronidation, bile secretion, and lipid metabolism. Moreover, these proteins were significantly enriched in pathways related to ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and bile secretion.

CONCLUSION

Our study offers novel insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the impact of the gut microbiome on the prognosis of M-mCRC. These findings serve as a meaningful reference for exploring potential therapeutic targets and strategies in the future.

A co-culture system of macrophages with breast cancer tumoroids to study cell interactions and therapeutic responses

3D tumoroids have revolutionized in vitro/ex vivo cancer biology by recapitulating the complex diversity of tumors. While tumoroids provide new insights into cancer development and treatment response, several limitations remain. As the tumor microenvironment, especially the immune system, strongly influences tumor development, the absence of immune cells in tumoroids may lead to inappropriate conclusions. Macrophages, key players in tumor progression, are particularly challenging to integrate into the tumoroids. In this study, we established three optimized and standardized methods for co-culturing human macrophages with breast cancer tumoroids: a semi-liquid model and two matrix-embedded models tailored for specific applications. We then tracked interactions and macrophage infiltration in these systems using flow cytometry and light sheet microscopy and showed that macrophages influenced not only tumoroid molecular profiles but also chemotherapy response. This underscores the importance of increasing the complexity of 3D models to more accurately reflect in vivo conditions.

Venetoclax therapy and emerging resistance mechanisms in acute myeloid leukaemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a highly aggressive and devastating malignancy of the bone marrow and blood. For decades, intensive chemotherapy has been the frontline treatment for AML but has yielded only poor patient outcomes as exemplified by a 5-year survival rate of < 30%, even in younger adults. As knowledge of the molecular underpinnings of AML has advanced, so too has the development new strategies with potential to improve the treatment of AML patients. To date the most promising of these targeted agents is the BH3-mimetic venetoclax which in combination with standard of care therapies, has manageable non-haematological toxicity and exhibits impressive efficacy. However, approximately 30% of AML patients fail to respond to venetoclax-based regimens and almost all treatment responders eventually relapse. Here, we review the emerging mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired venetoclax resistance in AML and highlight recent efforts to identify novel strategies to overcome resistance to venetoclax.

Combating Acute Myeloid Leukemia via Sphingosine Kinase 1 Inhibitor-Nanomedicine Combination Therapy with Cytarabine or Venetoclax

MP-A08 is a novel sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) inhibitor with activity against acute myeloid leukemia (AML). A rationally designed liposome-based encapsulation and delivery system has been shown to overcome the physicochemical challenges of MP-A08 and enable its effective delivery for improved efficacy and survival of mice engrafted with human AML in preclinical models. To establish therapies that overcome AML's heterogeneous nature, here we explored the combination of MP-A08-loaded liposomes with both the standard chemotherapy, cytarabine, and the targeted therapy, venetoclax, against human AML cell lines. Cytarabine (over the dose range of 0.1-0.5 µM) in combination with MP-A08 liposomes showed significant synergistic effects (as confirmed by the Chou-Talalay Combination Index) against the chemosensitised human AML cell lines MV4-11 and OCI-AML3. Venetoclax (over the dose range of 0.5-250 nM) in combination with MP-A08 liposomes showed significant synergistic effects against the chemosensitised human AML cell lines, particularly in venetoclax-resistant human AML cells. This strong synergistic effect is due to multiple mechanisms of action, i.e., inhibiting MCL-1 through SPHK1 inhibition, leading to ceramide accumulation, activation of protein kinase R, ATF4 upregulation, and NOXA activation, ultimately resulting in MCL-1 degradation. These combination therapies warrant further consideration and investigation in the search for a more comprehensive treatment strategy for AML.

New Insights into the Link Between Melanoma and Obesity

The significant increase in the incidence of obesity represents a global health crisis. Obesity is actually a multi-organ disease affecting the entire organism; hence, skin is no exception. As the functional alterations in the adipose tissue are contributing factors to many diseases, including cancer, recently, the link between the development of melanoma skin cancer and obesity gains increased attention. Besides several other factors, the increase of adipose stromal/stem cells (ASCs) impacts cancer progression. Moreover, increased production of cytokines and growth factors done by ASCs induces tumorigenesis and metastasis. The chronic inflammatory state that is sustained by this metabolic imbalance favors skin malignancies, melanoma included. Cutaneous melanoma, as an aggressive skin cancer, has both intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors where sun exposure and lifestyles are the main environmental factors inducing this skin cancer. With the advent of recent targeted and immune-based therapies in melanoma, the link between obesity and the efficacy of these therapies in melanoma remains controversial. A recent molecular relationship between the melanocortin pathway appending to both melanin synthesis and obesity was established. The biology of adipokines, molecules secreted by the adipose tissue, is linked to inflammation, and their molecular pathways can be involved in angiogenesis, migration, invasion, and proliferation of melanoma cells. In melanoma cells, among the most noticeable metabolic reprogramming characteristics is an increased rate of lipid synthesis. Lipid mediators impact classical oncogenic pathways, affecting melanoma progression. The chapter will tackle also the practical implications for melanoma prevention and treatment, namely, how metabolic manipulation can be exploited to overcome immunosuppression and support immune checkpoint blockade efficacy.

Comparison between Sickle Cell Disease Patients and Healthy Donors: Untargeted Lipidomic Study of Erythrocytes

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common severe monogenic disorders in the world caused by a mutation on HBB gene and characterized by hemoglobin polymerization, erythrocyte rigidity, vaso-occlusion, chronic anemia, hemolysis, and vasculopathy. Recently, the scientific community has focused on the multiple genetic and clinical profiles of SCD. However, the lipid composition of sickle cells has received little attention in the literature. According to recent studies, changes in the lipid profile are strongly linked to several disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study is to dig deeper into lipidomic analysis of erythrocytes in order to highlight any variations between healthy and patient subjects. 241 lipid molecular species divided into 17 classes have been annotated and quantified. Lipidomic profiling of SCD patients showed that over 24% of total lipids were altered most of which are phospholipids. In-depth study of significant changes in lipid metabolism can give an indication of the enzymes and genes involved. In a systems biology scenario, these variations can be useful to improve the understanding of the biochemical basis of SCD and to try to make a score system that could be predictive for the severity of clinical manifestations.

Decreased Innate Migration of Pro-Inflammatory M1 Macrophages through the Mesothelial Membrane Is Affected by Ceramide Kinase and Ceramide 1-P

The retrograde flow of endometrial tissues deposited into the peritoneal cavity occurs in women during menstruation. Classically (M1) or alternatively (M2) activated macrophages partake in the removal of regurgitated menstrual tissue. The failure of macrophage egress from the peritoneal cavity through the mesothelium leads to chronic inflammation in endometriosis. To study the migration differences of macrophage phenotypes across mesothelial cells, an in vitro model of macrophage egress across a peritoneal mesothelial cell monolayer membrane was developed. M1 macrophages were more sessile, emigrating 2.9-fold less than M2 macrophages. The M1 macrophages displayed a pro-inflammatory cytokine signature, including IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, TNF-β, and IL-12p70. Mass spectrometry sphingolipidomics revealed decreased levels of ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), an inducer of migration in M1 macrophages, which correlated with its poor migration behavior. C1P is generated by ceramide kinase (CERK) from ceramide, and blocking C1P synthesis via the action of NVP231, a specific CERK chemical inhibitor, prohibited the emigration of M1 and M2 macrophages up to 6.7-fold. Incubation with exogenously added C1P rescued this effect. These results suggest that M1 macrophages are less mobile and have higher retention in the peritoneum due to lower C1P levels, which contributes to an altered peritoneal environment in endometriosis by generating a predominant pro-inflammatory cytokine environment.

Metabolome-wide association study on ABCA7 indicates a role of ceramide metabolism in Alzheimer's disease

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified genetic loci associated with the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the molecular mechanisms by which they confer risk are largely unknown. We conducted a metabolome-wide association study (MWAS) of AD-associated loci from GWASs using untargeted metabolic profiling (metabolomics) by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). We identified an association of lactosylceramides (LacCer) with AD-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ABCA7 (P = 5.0 × 10^-5 to 1.3 × 10^-44). We showed that plasma LacCer concentrations are associated with cognitive performance and genetically modified levels of LacCer are associated with AD risk. We then showed that concentrations of sphingomyelins, ceramides, and hexosylceramides were altered in brain tissue from Abca7 knockout mice, compared with wild type (WT) (P = 0.049-1.4 × 10^-5), but not in a mouse model of amyloidosis. Furthermore, activation of microglia increases intracellular concentrations of hexosylceramides in part through induction in the expression of sphingosine kinase, an enzyme with a high control coefficient for sphingolipid and ceramide synthesis. Our work suggests that the risk for AD arising from functional variations in ABCA7 is mediated at least in part through ceramides. Modulation of their metabolism or downstream signaling may offer new therapeutic opportunities for AD.

Advancements on the Multifaceted Roles of Sphingolipids in Hematological Malignancies

Dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism plays a complex role in hematological malignancies, beginning with the first historical link between sphingolipids and apoptosis discovered in HL-60 leukemic cells. Numerous manuscripts have reviewed the field including the early discoveries that jumpstarted the studies. Many studies discussed here support a role for sphingolipids, such as ceramide, in combinatorial therapeutic regimens to enhance anti-leukemic effects and reduce resistance to standard therapies. Additionally, inhibitors of specific nodes of the sphingolipid pathway, such as sphingosine kinase inhibitors, significantly reduce leukemic cell survival in various types of leukemias. Acid ceramidase inhibitors have also shown promising results in acute myeloid leukemia. As the field moves rapidly, here we aim to expand the body of literature discussed in previously published reviews by focusing on advances reported in the latter part of the last decade.

Dynamic lipid turnover in photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium throughout life

The retinal pigment epithelium-photoreceptor interphase is renewed each day in a stunning display of cellular interdependence. While photoreceptors use photosensitive pigments to convert light into electrical signals, the RPE supports photoreceptors in their function by phagocytizing shed photoreceptor tips, regulating the blood retina barrier, and modulating inflammatory responses, as well as regenerating the 11-cis-retinal chromophore via the classical visual cycle. These processes involve multiple protein complexes, tightly regulated ligand-receptors interactions, and a plethora of lipids and protein-lipids interactions. The role of lipids in maintaining a healthy interplay between the RPE and photoreceptors has not been fully delineated. In recent years, novel technologies have resulted in major advancements in understanding several facets of this interplay, including the involvement of lipids in phagocytosis and phagolysosome function, nutrient recycling, and the metabolic dependence between the two cell types. In this review, we aim to integrate the complex role of lipids in photoreceptor and RPE function, emphasizing the dynamic exchange between the cells as well as discuss how these processes are affected in aging and retinal diseases.

Ceramide-induced integrated stress response overcomes Bcl-2 inhibitor resistance in acute myeloid leukemia

Enhancing cellular ceramide levels in AML activates protein kinase R to induce the integrated stress response.

The ISR induces the BH3-only protein Noxa, causing degradation of Mcl-1 and sensitization of AML to Bcl-2 inhibition.

Inducing cell death by the sphingolipid ceramide is a potential anticancer strategy, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly defined. In this study, triggering an accumulation of ceramide in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells by inhibition of sphingosine kinase induced an apoptotic integrated stress response (ISR) through protein kinase R–mediated activation of the master transcription factor ATF4. This effect led to transcription of the BH3-only protein Noxa and degradation of the prosurvival Mcl-1 protein on which AML cells are highly dependent for survival. Targeting this novel ISR pathway, in combination with the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax, synergistically killed primary AML blasts, including those with venetoclax-resistant mutations, as well as immunophenotypic leukemic stem cells, and reduced leukemic engraftment in patient-derived AML xenografts. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insight into the anticancer effects of ceramide and preclinical evidence for new approaches to augment Bcl-2 inhibition in the therapy of AML and other cancers with high Mcl-1 dependency.

Ceramide-1-Phosphate Is Involved in Therapy-Induced Senescence

Sphingolipids are key signaling lipids and their dysregulation has been associated with various cellular processes. We have previously shown significant changes in sphingolipids in therapy-induced senescence, a state of cell cycle arrest as a response to chemotherapy, including the accumulation of ceramides, and provided evidence suggesting that ceramide processing is important for this process. Herein, we conducted a focused small molecule inhibitor screen targeting the sphingolipid pathway, which highlighted a new lipid regulator of therapy-induced senescence. Among the inhibitors tested, the inhibition of ceramide kinase by NVP-231 reduced the levels of senescent cells. Ceramide kinase knockdown exhibited similar effects, strongly supporting the involvement of ceramide kinase during this process. We showed that ceramide-1-phosphate was upregulated in therapy-induced senescence and that NVP-231 reduced ceramide-1-phosphate levels in different cell line models of therapy-induced senescence. Finally, ceramide-1-phosphate addition to NVP-231-treated cells reversed the effects of NVP-231 during senescence. Overall, our results identify a previously unknown lipid player in therapy-induced senescence and highlight a potential targetable enzyme to reduce the levels of therapy-induced senescent cells.

Bioactive Lipids as Chronic Myeloid Leukemia’s Potential Biomarkers for Disease Progression and Response to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that expresses the Philadelphia chromosome and constitutively activated Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase in hematopoietic progenitor cells. Bcr-Abl tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) do not definitively cure all CML patients. The efficacy of TKI is reduced in CML patients in the blastic phase—the most severe phase of the disease—and resistance to this drug has emerged. There is limited knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of disease progression and resistance to TKI beyond BCR-ABL1, as well as on the impact of TKI treatment and disease progression on the metabolome of CML patients. The present study reports the metabolomic profiles of CML patients at different phases of the disease treated with TKI. The plasma metabolites from CML patients were analyzed using liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics. Distinct metabolic patterns were identified for CML patients at different phases of the disease and for those who were resistant to TKI. The lipid metabolism in CML patients at advanced phases and TKI-resistant patients is reprogrammed, as detected by analysis of metabolomic data. CML patients who were responsive and resistant to TKI therapy exhibited distinct enriched pathways. In addition, ceramide levels were higher and sphingomyelin levels were lower in resistant patients compared with control and CML groups. Taken together, the results here reported established metabolic profiles of CML patients who progressed to advanced phases of the disease and failed to respond to TKI therapy as well as patients in remission. In the future, an expanded study on CML metabolomics may provide new potential prognostic markers for disease progression and response to therapy.

Discovery and Mechanism of Action of Small Molecule Inhibitors of Ceramidases

Sphingolipid metabolism is tightly controlled by enzymes to regulate essential processes in human physiology. The central metabolite is ceramide, a pro-apoptotic lipid catabolized by ceramidase enzymes to produce pro-proliferative sphingosine-1-phosphate. Alkaline ceramidases are transmembrane enzymes that recently attracted attention for drug development in fatty liver diseases. However, due to their hydrophobic nature, no specific small molecule inhibitors have been reported. We present the discovery and mechanism of action of the first drug-like inhibitors of alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3). In particular, we chemically engineered novel fluorescent ceramide substrates enabling screening of large compound libraries and characterized enzyme:inhibitor interactions using mass spectrometry and MD simulations. In addition to revealing a new paradigm for inhibition of lipid metabolising enzymes with non-lipidic small molecules, our data lay the ground for targeting ACER3 in drug discovery efforts.

3-Ketodihydrosphingosine reductase maintains ER homeostasis and unfolded protein response in leukemia

Sphingolipids and their metabolic pathways have been implicated in disease development and therapeutic response; however, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Using a sphingolipid network focused CRISPR/Cas9 library screen, we identified an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) enzyme, 3-Ketodihydrosphingosine reductase (KDSR), to be essential for leukemia cell maintenance. Loss of KDSR led to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and aberrant ER structure. Transcriptomic analysis revealed the indispensable role of KDSR in maintaining the unfolded protein response (UPR) in ER. High-density CRISPR tiling scan and sphingolipid mass spectrometry pinpointed the critical role of KDSR's catalytic function in leukemia. Mechanistically, depletion of KDSR resulted in accumulated 3-ketodihydrosphingosine (KDS) and dysregulated UPR checkpoint proteins PERK, ATF6, and ATF4. Finally, our study revealed the synergism between KDSR suppression and pharmacologically induced ER-stress, underscoring a therapeutic potential of combinatorial targeting sphingolipid metabolism and ER homeostasis in leukemia treatment.

Molecular targets and therapeutics in chemoresistance of triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a specific subtype of breast cancer (BC), which shows immunohistochemically negative expression of hormone receptor i.e., Estrogen receptor and Progesterone receptor along with the absence of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2 (HER2/neu). In Indian scenario the prevalence of BC is 26.3%, whereas, in West Bengal the cases are of 18.4%. But the rate of TNBC has increased up to 31% and shows 27% of total BC. Conventional chemotherapy is effective only in the initial stages but with progression of the disease the effectivity gets reduced and shown almost no effect in later or advanced stages of TNBC. Thus, TNBC patients frequently develop resistance and metastasis, due to its peculiar triple-negative nature most of the hormonal therapies also fails. Development of chemoresistance may involve various factors, such as, TNBC heterogeneity, cancer stem cells (CSCs), signaling pathway deregulation, DNA repair mechanism, hypoxia, and other molecular factors. To overcome the challenges to treat TNBC various targets and molecules have been exploited including CSCs modulator, drug efflux transporters, hypoxic factors, apoptotic proteins, and regulatory signaling pathways. Moreover, to improve the targets and efficacy of treatments researchers are emphasizing on targeted therapy for TNBC. In this review, an effort has been made to focus on phenotypic and molecular variations in TNBC along with the role of conventional as well as newly identified pathways and strategies to overcome challenge of chemoresistance.

Lipidomic landscape in cancer: Actionable insights for membrane-based therapy and diagnoses

Cancer cells display altered cellular lipid metabolism, including disruption in endogenous lipid synthesis, storage, and exogenous uptake for membrane biogenesis and functions. Altered lipid metabolism and, consequently, lipid composition impacts cellular function by affecting membrane structure and properties, such as fluidity, rigidity, membrane dynamics, and lateral organization. Herein, we provide an overview of lipid membranes and how their properties affect cellular functions. We also detail how the rewiring of lipid metabolism impacts the lipidomic landscape of cancer cell membranes and influences the characteristics of cancer cells. Furthermore, we discuss how the altered cancer lipidome provides cues for developing lipid-inspired innovative therapeutic and diagnostic strategies while improving our limited understanding of the role of lipids in cancer initiation and progression. We also present the arcade of membrane characterization techniques to cement their relevance in cancer diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response.

Drug Repurposing to Identify a Synergistic High-Order Drug Combination to Treat Sunitinib-Resistant Renal Cell Carcinoma

Simple Summary

In this study, drug combination screening was used to design a multidrug combination consisting of repurposed drugs to treat sunitinib-resistant clear cell renal cell carcinoma. In the frame of this project, the multidrug combination has been optimized and validated and an insight into the mechanism of action is given. The multidrug combinations significantly altered the transcription of genes related to apoptosis and metabolic pathways. Further analysis of the metabolism revealed strong upregulation of the presence of sphingolipids after multidrug combination treatment. Final evaluation for translation of the multidrug combination in ex vivo organoid-like cultures demonstrated significant anti-cancer efficacy.

Abstract

Repurposed drugs have been evaluated for the management of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), but only a few have influenced the overall survival of patients with advanced disease. To combine repurposed non-oncology with oncological drugs, we applied our validated phenotypic method, which consisted of a reduced experimental part and data modeling. A synergistic optimized multidrug combination (ODC) was identified to significantly reduce the energy levels in cancer remaining inactive in non-cancerous cells. The ODC consisted of Rapta-C, erlotinib, metformin and parthenolide and low doses. Molecular and functional analysis of ODC revealed a loss of adhesiveness and induction of apoptosis. Gene-expression network analysis displayed significant alterations in the cellular metabolism, confirmed by LC-MS based metabolomic analysis, highlighting significant changes in the lipid classes. We used heterotypic in vitro 3D co-cultures and ex vivo organoids to validate the activity of the ODC, maintaining an efficacy of over 70%. Our results show that repurposed drugs can be combined to target cancer cells selectively with prominent activity. The strong impact on cell adherence and metabolism indicates a favorable mechanism of action of the ODC to treat ccRCC.

Alterations in complex lipids in tumor tissue of patients with colorectal cancer

Background

Accumulating evidence indicates alterations in lipid metabolism and lipid composition in neoplastic tissue. Earlier nuclear magnetic resonance studies showed that the contents of major lipid groups, such as triacylglycerols, phospholipids and cholesterol, are changed in colon cancer tissue.

Methods

In this study, a more detailed analysis of lipids in cancer and tumor adjacent tissues from colorectal cancer patients, using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, allowed for comparison of 199 different lipids between cancer tissue and tumor adjacent tissue using principal component analysis.

Results

Significant differences were found in 67 lipid compounds between the two types of tissue; many of these lipid compounds are bioactive lipids such as ceramides, lysophospholipids or sterols and can influence the development of cancer. Additionally, increased levels of phospholipids and sphingolipids were present, which are major components of the cell membrane, and increases in these lipids can lead to changes in cell membrane properties.

Conclusions

This study showed that many complex lipids are significantly increased or decreased in colon cancer tissue, reflecting significant alterations in lipid metabolism. This knowledge can be used for the selection of potential molecular targets of novel anticancer strategies based on the modulation of lipid metabolism and the composition of the cell membrane in colorectal cancer cells.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12944-021-01512-x.

Dihydrosphingosine driven enrichment of sphingolipids attenuates TGFβ induced collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts

The sphingolipid de novo synthesis pathway, encompassing the sphingolipids, the enzymes and the cell membrane receptors, are being investigated for their role in diseases and as potential therapeutic targets. The intermediate sphingolipids such as dihydrosphingosine (dhSph) and sphingosine (Sph) have not been investigated due to them being thought of as precursors to other more active lipids such as ceramide (Cer) and sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P). Here we investigated their effects in terms of collagen synthesis in primary rat neonatal cardiac fibroblasts (NCFs). Our results in NCFs showed that both dhSph and Sph did not induce collagen synthesis, whilst dhSph reduced collagen synthesis induced by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). The mechanisms of these inhibitory effects were associated with the increased activation of the de novo synthesis pathway that led to increased dihydrosphingosine 1 phosphate (dhS1P). Subsequently, through a negative feedback mechanism that may involve substrate-enzyme receptor interactions, S1P receptor 1 expression (S1PR1) was reduced.

Molecular Characterization of Advanced Colorectal Cancer Using Serum Proteomics and Metabolomics

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a growing public health concern due to its high mortality rate. Currently, there is a lack of valid diagnostic biomarkers and few therapeutic strategies are available for CRC treatment, especially for advanced CRC whose underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the serum samples from 20 patients with stage III or IV advanced CRC using data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomics and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS/MS) metabolomics techniques. Overall, 551 proteins and 719 metabolites were identified. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that the serum proteomes of advanced CRC are more diversified than the metabolomes. Ten biochemical pathways associated with cancer cell metabolism were enriched in the detected proteins and metabolites, including glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, biosynthesis of amino acids, glutathione metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism, etc. A protein-protein interaction network in advanced CRC serum was constructed with 80 proteins and 21 related metabolites. Correlation analysis revealed conserved roles of lipids and lipid-like molecules in a regulatory network of advanced CRC. Three metabolites (hydroquinone, leucenol and sphingomyelin) and two proteins (coagulation factor XIII A chain and plasma kallikrein) were selected to be potential biomarkers for advanced CRC, which are positively and significantly correlated with CEA and/or CA 19-9. Altogether, the results expanded our understanding of the physiopathology of advanced CRC and discovered novel potential biomarkers for further validation and application to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of advanced CRC.

Metabolic control of cancer progression as novel targets for therapy

Metabolism is an important part of tumorigenesis as well as progression. The various cancer metabolism pathways, such as glucose metabolism and glutamine metabolism, directly regulate the development and progression of cancer. The pathways by which the cancer cells rewire their metabolism according to their needs, surrounding environment and host tissue conditions are an important area of study. The regulation of these metabolic pathways is determined by various oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, as well as various constituent cells of the tumor microenvironment. Expanded studies on metabolism will help identify efficient biomarkers for diagnosis and strategies for therapeutic interventions and countering ways by which cancers may acquire resistance to therapy.

Beyond DNA-targeting in Cancer Chemotherapy. Emerging Frontiers - A Review

Modern anti-cancer drugs target DNA specifically for rapid division of malignant cells. One downside of this approach is that they also target other rapidly dividing healthy cells, such as those involved in hair growth leading to serious toxic side effects and hair loss. Therefore, it would be better to develop novel agents that address cellular signaling mechanisms unique to cancerous cells, and new research is now focussing on such approaches. Although the classical chemotherapy area involving DNA as the set target continues to produce important findings, nevertheless, a distinctly discernible emerging trend is the divergence from the cisplatin operation model that uses the metal as the primary active center of the drug. Many successful anti-cancer drugs present are associated with elevated toxicity levels. Cancers also develop immunity against most therapies and the area of cancer research can, therefore, be seen as an area with a high unaddressed need. Hence, ongoing work into cancer pathogenesis is important to create accurate preclinical tests that can contribute to the development of innovative drugs to manage and treat cancer. Some of the emergent frontiers utilizing different approaches include nanoparticles delivery, use of quantum dots, metal complexes, tumor ablation, magnetic hypothermia and hyperthermia by use of Superparamagnetic Iron oxide Nanostructures, pathomics and radiomics, laser surgery and exosomes. This review summarizes these new approaches in good detail, giving critical views with necessary comparisons. It also delves into what they carry for the future, including their advantages and disadvantages.

Engineering the bilayer: Emerging genetic tool kits for mechanistic lipid biology

The structural diversity of lipids underpins the biophysical properties of cellular membranes, which vary across all scales of biological organization. Because lipid composition results from complex metabolic and transport pathways, its experimental control has been a major goal of mechanistic membrane biology. Here, we argue that in the wake of synthetic biology, similar metabolic engineering strategies can be applied to control the composition, physicochemical properties, and function of cell membranes. In one emerging area, titratable expression platforms allow for specific and genome-wide alterations in lipid biosynthetic genes, providing analog control over lipidome stoichiometry in membranes. Simultaneously, heterologous expression of biosynthetic genes and pathways has allowed for gain-of-function experiments with diverse lipids in non-native systems. Finally, we highlight future directions for tool development, including recently discovered lipid transport pathways to intracellular lipid pools. Further tool development providing synthetic control of membrane properties can allow biologists to untangle membrane lipid structure-associated functions.

Solving the enigma: Mass spectrometry and small molecule probes to study sphingolipid function

Sphingolipids are highly bioactive lipids. Sphingolipid metabolism produces key membrane components (e.g. sphingomyelin) and a variety of signaling lipids with different biological functions (e.g. ceramide, sphingosine-1-phosphate). The coordinated activity of tens of different enzymes maintains proper levels and localization of these lipids with key roles in cellular processes. In this review, we highlight the signaling roles of sphingolipids in cell death and survival. We discuss recent findings on the role of specific sphingolipids during these processes, enabled by the use of lipidomics to study compositional and spatial regulation of these lipids and synthetic sphingolipid probes to study subcellular localization and interaction partners of sphingolipids to understand the function of these lipids.

Acid ceramidase promotes senescent cell survival

Cellular senescence is linked to chronic age-related diseases including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and neurodegeneration. Compared to proliferating cells, senescent cells express distinct subsets of proteins. In this study, we used cultured human diploid fibroblasts rendered senescent through replicative exhaustion or ionizing radiation to identify proteins differentially expressed during senescence. We identified acid ceramidase (ASAH1), a lysosomal enzyme that cleaves ceramide into sphingosine and fatty acid, as being highly elevated in senescent cells. This increase in ASAH1 levels in senescent cells was associated with a rise in the levels of ASAH1 mRNA and a robust increase in ASAH1 protein stability. Furthermore, silencing ASAH1 in pre-senescent fibroblasts decreased the levels of senescence proteins p16, p21, and p53, and reduced the activity of the senescence-associated β-galactosidase. Interestingly, depletion of ASAH1 in pre-senescent cells sensitized these cells to the senolytics Dasatinib and Quercetin (D+Q). Together, our study indicates that ASAH1 promotes senescence, protects senescent cells, and confers resistance against senolytic drugs. Given that inhibiting ASAH1 sensitizes cells towards senolysis, this enzyme represents an attractive therapeutic target in interventions aimed at eliminating senescent cells.

The Impact of Dietary Sphingolipids on Intestinal Microbiota and Gastrointestinal Immune Homeostasis

The large surfaces of gastrointestinal (GI) organs are well adapted to their diverse tasks of selective nutritional uptake and defense against the external environment. To maintain a functional balance, a vast number of immune cells is located within the mucosa. A strictly regulated immune response is required to impede constant inflammation and to maintain barrier function. An increasing prevalence of GI diseases has been reported in Western societies over the past decades. This surge in GI disorders has been linked to dietary changes followed by an imbalance of the gut microbiome, leading to a chronic, low grade inflammation of the gut epithelium. To counteract the increasing health care costs associated with diseases, it is paramount to understand the mechanisms driving immuno-nutrition, the associations between nutritional compounds, the commensal gut microbiota, and the host immune response. Dietary compounds such as lipids, play a central role in GI barrier function. Bioactive sphingolipids (SLs), e.g. sphingomyelin (SM), sphingosine (Sph), ceramide (Cer), sphingosine-1- phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) may derive from dietary SLs ingested through the diet. They are not only integral components of cell membranes, they additionally modulate cell trafficking and are precursors for mediators and second messenger molecules. By regulating intracellular calcium levels, cell motility, cell proliferation and apoptosis, SL metabolites have been described to influence GI immune homeostasis positively and detrimentally. Furthermore, dietary SLs are suggested to induce a shift in the gut microbiota. Modes of action range from competing with the commensal bacteria for intestinal cell attachment to prevention from pathogen invasion by regulating innate and immediate defense mechanisms. SL metabolites can also be produced by gut microorganisms, directly impacting host metabolic pathways. This review aims to summarize recent findings on SL signaling and functional variations of dietary SLs. We highlight novel insights in SL homeostasis and SL impact on GI barrier function, which is directly linked to changes of the intestinal microbiota. Knowledge gaps in current literature will be discussed to address questions relevant for understanding the pivotal role of dietary SLs on chronic, low grade inflammation and to define a balanced and healthy diet for disease prevention and treatment.

Targeting the Sphingosine Kinase/Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling Axis in Drug Discovery for Cancer Therapy

Sphingolipid metabolites have emerged as critical players in the regulation of various physiological processes. Ceramide and sphingosine induce cell growth arrest and apoptosis, whereas sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) promotes cell proliferation and survival. Here, we present an overview of sphingolipid metabolism and the compartmentalization of various sphingolipid metabolites. In addition, the sphingolipid rheostat, a fine metabolic balance between ceramide and S1P, is discussed. Sphingosine kinase (SphK) catalyzes the synthesis of S1P from sphingosine and modulates several cellular processes and is found to be essentially involved in various pathophysiological conditions. The regulation and biological functions of SphK isoforms are discussed. The functions of S1P, along with its receptors, are further highlighted. The up-regulation of SphK is observed in various cancer types and is also linked to radio- and chemoresistance and poor prognosis in cancer patients. Implications of the SphK/S1P signaling axis in human pathologies and its inhibition are discussed in detail. Overall, this review highlights current findings on the SphK/S1P signaling axis from multiple angles, including their functional role, mechanism of activation, involvement in various human malignancies, and inhibitor molecules that may be used in cancer therapy.

Restoration of ceramide de novo synthesis by the synthetic retinoid ST1926 as it induces adult T-cell leukemia cell death

Ceramide (Cer) is a bioactive cellular lipid with compartmentalized and tightly regulated levels. Distinct metabolic pathways lead to the generation of Cer species with distinguishable roles in oncogenesis. Deregulation of Cer pathways has emerged as an important mechanism for acquired chemotherapeutic resistance. Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) cells are defective in Cer synthesis. ATL is an aggressive neoplasm that develops following infection with human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) where the viral oncogene Tax contributes to the pathogenesis of the disease. ATL cells, resistant to all-trans-retinoic acid, are sensitive to pharmacologically achievable concentrations of the synthetic retinoid ST1926. We studied the effects of ST1926 on Cer pathways in ATL cells. ST1926 treatment resulted in early Tax oncoprotein degradation in HTLV-1-treated cells. ST1926 induced cell death and a dose- and time-dependent accumulation of Cer in malignant T cells. The kinetics and degree of Cer production showed an early response upon ST1926 treatment. ST1926 enhanced de novo Cer synthesis via activation of ceramide synthase CerS(s) without inhibiting dihydroceramide desaturase, thereby accumulating Cer rather than the less bioactive dihydroceramide. Using labeling experiments with the unnatural 17-carbon sphinganine and measuring the generated Cer species, we showed that ST1926 preferentially induces the activities of a distinct set of CerS(s). We detected a delay in cell death response and interruption of Cer generation in response to ST1926 in Molt-4 cells overexpressing Bcl-2. These results highlight the potential role of ST1926 in inducing Cer levels, thus lowering the threshold for cell death in ATL cells.

The Landscape of Signaling Pathways and Proteasome Inhibitors Combinations in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy of terminally differentiated plasma cells, characterized by an extreme genetic heterogeneity that poses great challenges for its successful treatment. Due to antibody overproduction, MM cells depend on the precise regulation of the protein degradation systems. Despite the success of PIs in MM treatment, resistance and adverse toxic effects such as peripheral neuropathy and cardiotoxicity could arise. To this end, the use of rational combinatorial treatments might allow lowering the dose of inhibitors and therefore, minimize their side-effects. Even though the suppression of different cellular pathways in combination with proteasome inhibitors have shown remarkable anti-myeloma activities in preclinical models, many of these promising combinations often failed in clinical trials. Substantial progress has been made by the simultaneous targeting of proteasome and different aspects of MM-associated immune dysfunctions. Moreover, targeting deranged metabolic hubs could represent a new avenue to identify effective therapeutic combinations with PIs. Finally, epigenetic drugs targeting either DNA methylation, histone modifiers/readers, or chromatin remodelers are showing pleiotropic anti-myeloma effects alone and in combination with PIs. We envisage that the positive outcome of patients will probably depend on the availability of more effective drug combinations and treatment of early MM stages. Therefore, the identification of sensitive targets and aberrant signaling pathways is instrumental for the development of new personalized therapies for MM patients.

The Phenoxyphenol Compound diTFPP Mediates Exogenous C2-Ceramide Metabolism, Inducing Cell Apoptosis Accompanied by ROS Formation and Autophagy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe disease that accounts for 80% of liver cancers. Chemotherapy is the primary therapeutic strategy for patients who cannot be treated with surgery or who have late-stage HCC. C₂-ceramide is an effective reagent that has been found to inhibit the growth of many cancer types. The metabolism of C₂-ceramide plays a vital role in the regulation of cell death/cell survival. The phenoxyphenol compound 4-{2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-[2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)phenyl]phenoxy}phenol (diTFPP) was found to have a synergistic effect with C₂-ceramide, resulting in considerable cell death in the HA22T HCC cell line. diTFPP/C₂-ceramide cotreatment induced a two- to threefold increase in cell death compared to that with C2-ceramide alone and induced pyknosis. Annexin V/7-aminoactinomycin D (7AAD) double staining and Western blotting indicated that apoptosis was involved in diTFPP/C₂-ceramide cotreatment-mediated cell death. We next analyzed transcriptome alterations in diTFPP/C₂-ceramide-cotreated HA22T cells with next-generation sequencing (NGS). The data indicated that diTFPP treatment disrupted sphingolipid metabolism, inhibited cell cycle-associated gene expression, and induced autophagy and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive changes in gene expression. Additionally, we assessed the activation of autophagy with acridine orange (AO) staining and observed alterations in the expression of the autophagic proteins LC3B-II and Beclin-1, which indicated autophagy activation after diTFPP/C₂-ceramide cotreatment. Elevated levels of ROS were also reported in diTFPP/C₂-ceramide-treated cells, and the expression of the ROS-associated proteins SOD1, SOD2, and catalase was upregulated after diTFPP/C₂-ceramide treatment. This study revealed the potential regulatory mechanism of the novel compound diTFPP in sphingolipid metabolism by showing that it disrupts ceramide metabolism and apoptotic sphingolipid accumulation.

Ceramide kinase mediates intrinsic resistance and inferior response to chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer by upregulating Ras/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways

Background

Clinical management of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients remain challenging because of the development of chemo-resistance. Identification of biomarkers for risk stratification of chemo-resistance and therapeutic decision-making to overcome such resistance is thus necessary.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed to identify potential stratification biomarkers. The levels of ceramide kinase (CERK) was determined in breast cancer patients. The roles of CERK and its downstream signaling pathways were analysed using cellular and biochemical assays.

Results

CERK upregulation was identified as a biomarker for chemotherapeutic response in TNBC. A > 2-fold change in CERK (from tumor)/CERK (from normal counterpart) was significantly associated with chemo-resistance (OR = 2.66, 95% CI 1.18–7.34), P = 0.04. CERK overexpression was sufficient to promote TNBC growth and migration, and confer chemo-resistance in TNBC cell lines, although this resistance could be overcome via CERK inhibition. Mechanistic studies suggest that CERK mediates intrinsic resistance and inferior response to chemotherapy in TNBC by regulating multiple oncogenic pathways such as Ras/ERK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and RhoA.

Conclusions

Our work provides an explanation for the heterogeneity of chemo-response across TNBC patients and demonstrates that CERK inhibition offers a therapeutic strategy to overcome treatment resistance.

Sphingolipids and Kidney Disease: Possible Role of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)

Sphingolipids are now considered not only as constitutional components of the cellular membrane but also as essential bioactive factors regulating development and physiologic functions. Ceramide is a vital intermediate of sphingolipid metabolism, synthesized by de novo and salvage pathways, producing multiple types of sphingolipids and their metabolites. Although mutations in gene-encoding enzymes regulating sphingolipid synthesis and metabolism cause distinct diseases, an abnormal sphingolipid metabolism contributes to various pathologic conditions, including kidney diseases. Excessive accumulation of glycosphingolipids and promotion of the ceramide salvage and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) pathways are found in the damaged kidney. Acceleration of the sphingosine kinase/S1P/S1P receptor (SphK/S1P/S1PR) axis plays a central role in deteriorating kidney functions. The SphK/S1P/S1PR signaling impairment is also found during pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This mini-review discusses the current state of knowledge regarding the role of sphingolipid metabolism on kidney diseases, and the possible involvement of preeclampsia and IUGR conditions.

A Glimpse of the Structural Biology of the Metabolism of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate

As a key sphingolipid metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) plays crucial roles in vascular and immune systems. It regulates angiogenesis, vascular integrity and homeostasis, allergic responses, and lymphocyte trafficking. S1P is interconverted with sphingosine, which is also derived from the deacylation of ceramide. S1P levels and the ratio to ceramide in cells are tightly regulated by its metabolic pathways. Abnormal S1P production causes the occurrence and progression of numerous severe diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, cancers, autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, and kidney and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, huge advances on the structure of S1P metabolic pathways have been accomplished. In this review, we have got a glimpse of S1P metabolism through structural and biochemical studies of: sphingosine kinases, S1P transporters and S1P receptors, and the development of therapeutics targeting S1P signaling. The progress we summarize here could provide fresh perspectives to further the exploration of S1P functions and facilitate the development of therapeutic molecules targeting S1P signaling with improved specificity and therapeutic effects.

The Lipid Metabolic Landscape of Cancers and New Therapeutic Perspectives

Lipid metabolism reprograming, as a hallmark of malignancy, has received renewed interest in recent years in such areas as energy sources, cell membrane components, and signaling molecules involved in the rapid tumor growth and the adaptation to the tumor microenvironment. Lipid metabolism deregulation in cancer involves multiple aspects, including an increased lipid uptake, endogenous de novo fatty acid synthesis, fatty acid oxidation, and cholesterol accumulation, thereby promoting tumor growth and progression. Recent advances in the understanding of specific metabolic alterations in cancer reveal novel pathogenesis mechanisms and a growing number of drugs targeting lipid metabolism have been applied in anti-tumor therapy. Thus, this review discusses the lipid metabolic landscape of cancers and the interplay with oncogenic signaling, and summarizes potential therapeutic targets to improve the therapeutic efficiency in cancer patients, in order to provide more reference and thinking for the treatment of lipid metabolism of cancer patients.

Sptlc1 is essential for myeloid differentiation and hematopoietic homeostasis

Serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) long-chain base subunit 1 (SPTLC1) is 1 of the 2 main catalytic subunits of the SPT complex, which catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of sphingolipid biosynthesis. Here, we show that Sptlc1 deletion in adult bone marrow (BM) cells results in defective myeloid differentiation. In chimeric mice from noncompetitive BM transplant assays, there was an expansion of the Lin- c-Kit+ Sca-1+ compartment due to increased multipotent progenitor production, but myeloid differentiation was severely compromised. We also show that defective biogenesis of sphingolipids in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) leads to ER stress that affects myeloid differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that transient accumulation of fatty acid, a substrate for sphingolipid biosynthesis, could be partially responsible for the ER stress. Independently, we find that ER stress in general, such as that induced by the chemical thapsigargin or the fatty acid palmitic acid, compromises myeloid differentiation in culture. These results identify perturbed sphingolipid metabolism as a source of ER stress, which may produce diverse pathological effects related to differential cell-type sensitivity.

New Insights Into Targeting Membrane Lipids for Cancer Therapy

Modulation of membrane lipid composition and organization is currently developing as an effective therapeutic strategy against a wide range of diseases, including cancer. This field, known as membrane-lipid therapy, has risen from new discoveries on the complex organization of lipids and between lipids and proteins in the plasma membranes. Membrane microdomains present in the membrane of all eukaryotic cells, known as lipid rafts, have been recognized as an important concentrating platform for protein receptors involved in the regulation of intracellular signaling, apoptosis, redox balance and immune response. The difference in lipid composition between the cellular membranes of healthy cells and tumor cells allows for the development of novel therapies based on targeting membrane lipids in cancer cells to increase sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and consequently defeat multidrug resistance. In the current manuscript strategies based on influencing cholesterol/sphingolipids content will be presented together with innovative ones, more focused in changing biophysical properties of the membrane bilayer without affecting the composition of its constituents.

Identification and distribution of gene clusters required for synthesis of sphingolipid metabolism inhibitors in diverse species of the filamentous fungus Fusarium

BACKGROUND

Sphingolipids are structural components and signaling molecules in eukaryotic membranes, and many organisms produce compounds that inhibit sphingolipid metabolism. Some of the inhibitors are structurally similar to the sphingolipid biosynthetic intermediate sphinganine and are referred to as sphinganine-analog metabolites (SAMs). The mycotoxins fumonisins, which are frequent contaminants in maize, are one family of SAMs. Due to food and feed safety concerns, fumonisin biosynthesis has been investigated extensively, including characterization of the fumonisin biosynthetic gene cluster in the agriculturally important fungi Aspergillus and Fusarium. Production of several other SAMs has also been reported in fungi, but there is almost no information on their biosynthesis. There is also little information on how widely SAM production occurs in fungi or on the extent of structural variation of fungal SAMs.

RESULTS

Using fumonisin biosynthesis as a model, we predicted that SAM biosynthetic gene clusters in fungi should include a polyketide synthase (PKS), an aminotransferase and a dehydrogenase gene. Surveys of genome sequences identified five putative clusters with this three-gene combination in 92 of 186 Fusarium species examined. Collectively, the putative SAM clusters were distributed widely but discontinuously among the species. We propose that the SAM5 cluster confers production of a previously reported Fusarium SAM, 2-amino-14,16-dimethyloctadecan-3-ol (AOD), based on the occurrence of AOD production only in species with the cluster and on deletion analysis of the SAM5 cluster PKS gene. We also identified SAM clusters in 24 species of other fungal genera, and propose that one of the clusters confers production of sphingofungin, a previously reported Aspergillus SAM.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide a genomics approach to identify novel SAM biosynthetic gene clusters in fungi, which should in turn contribute to identification of novel SAMs with applications in medicine and other fields. Information about novel SAMs could also provide insights into the role of SAMs in the ecology of fungi. Such insights have potential to contribute to strategies to reduce fumonisin contamination in crops and to control crop diseases caused by SAM-producing fungi.

Association of Aβ with ceramide-enriched astrosomes mediates Aβ neurotoxicity

Amyloid-β (Aβ) associates with extracellular vesicles termed exosomes. It is not clear whether and how exosomes modulate Aβ neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We show here that brain tissue and serum from the transgenic mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD) and serum from AD patients contains ceramide-enriched and astrocyte-derived exosomes (termed astrosomes) that are associated with Aβ. In Neuro-2a cells, primary cultured neurons, and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, Aβ-associated astrosomes from 5xFAD mice and AD patient serum were specifically transported to mitochondria, induced mitochondrial clustering, and upregulated the fission protein Drp-1 at a concentration corresponding to 5 femtomoles Aβ/L of medium. Aβ-associated astrosomes, but not wild type or control human serum exosomes, mediated binding of Aβ to voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and subsequently, activated caspases. Aβ-associated astrosomes induced neurite fragmentation and neuronal cell death, suggesting that association with astrosomes substantially enhances Aβ neurotoxicity in AD and may comprise a novel target for therapy.

Emerging roles for human glycolipid transfer protein superfamily members in the regulation of autophagy, inflammation, and cell death

Glycolipid transfer proteins (GLTPs) were first identified over three decades ago as ~24kDa, soluble, amphitropic proteins that specifically accelerate the intermembrane transfer of glycolipids. Upon discovery that GLTPs use a unique, all-α-helical, two-layer 'sandwich' architecture (GLTP-fold) to bind glycosphingolipids (GSLs), a new protein superfamily was born. Structure/function studies have provided exquisite insights defining features responsible for lipid headgroup selectivity and hydrophobic 'pocket' adaptability for accommodating hydrocarbon chains of differing length and unsaturation. In humans, evolutionarily-modified GLTP-folds have been identified with altered sphingolipid specificity, e. g. ceramide-1-phosphate transfer protein (CPTP), phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate adaptor protein-2 (FAPP2) which harbors a GLTP-domain and GLTPD2. Despite the wealth of structural data (>40 Protein Data Bank deposits), insights into the in vivo functional roles of GLTP superfamily members have emerged slowly. In this review, recent advances are presented and discussed implicating human GLTP superfamily members as important regulators of: i) pro-inflammatory eicosanoid production associated with Group-IV cytoplasmic phospholipase A₂; ii) autophagy and inflammasome assembly that drive surveillance cell release of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 inflammatory cytokines; iii) cell cycle arrest and necroptosis induction in certain colon cancer cell lines. The effects exerted by GLTP superfamily members appear linked to their ability to regulate sphingolipid homeostasis by acting in either transporter and/or sensor capacities. These timely findings are opening new avenues for future cross-disciplinary, translational medical research involving GLTP-fold proteins in human health and disease. Such avenues include targeted regulation of specific GLTP superfamily members to alter sphingolipid levels as a therapeutic means for combating viral infection, neurodegenerative conditions and circumventing chemo-resistance during cancer treatment.

Sphingosine Kinase 1 Regulates the Survival of Breast Cancer Stem Cells and Non-stem Breast Cancer Cells by Suppression of STAT1

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent rare tumor cell populations capable of self-renewal, differentiation, and tumor initiation and are highly resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Thus, therapeutic approaches that can effectively target CSCs and tumor cells could be the key to efficient tumor treatment. In this study, we explored the function of SPHK1 in breast CSCs and non-CSCs. We showed that RNAi-mediated knockdown of SPHK1 inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both breast CSCs and non-CSCs, while ectopic expression of SPHK1 enhanced breast CSC survival and mammosphere forming efficiency. We identified STAT1 and IFN signaling as key regulatory targets of SPHK1 and demonstrated that an important mechanism by which SPHK1 promotes cancer cell survival is through the suppression of STAT1. We further demonstrated that SPHK1 inhibitors, FTY720 and PF543, synergized with doxorubicin in targeting both breast CSCs and non-CSCs. In conclusion, we provide important evidence that SPHK1 is a key regulator of cell survival and proliferation in breast CSCs and non-CSCs and is an attractive target for the design of future therapies.

Sphingolipids in food and their critical roles in human health

Sphingolipids (SLs) are ubiquitous structural components of cell membranes and are essential for cell functions under physiological conditions or during disease progression. Abundant evidence supports that SLs and their metabolites, including ceramide (Cer), ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), sphingosine (So), sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), are signaling molecules that regulate a diverse range of cellular processes and human health. However, there are limited reviews on the emerging roles of exogenous dietary SLs in human health. In this review, we discuss the ubiquitous presence of dietary SLs, highlighting their structures and contents in foodstuffs, particularly in sea foods. The digestion and metabolism of dietary SLs is also discussed. Focus is given to the roles of SLs in both the etiology and prevention of diseases, including bacterial infection, cancers, neurogenesis and neurodegenerative diseases, skin integrity, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We propose that dietary SLs represent a "functional" constituent as emerging strategies for improving human health. Gaps in research that could be of future interest are also discussed.

Lipid mechanisms in hallmarks of cancer

Excess adiposity is a risk factor for several cancer types. This is likely due to complex mechanisms including alterations in the lipid milieu that plays a pivotal role in multiple aspects of carcinogenesis. Here we consider the direct role of lipids in regulating well-known hallmarks of cancer. Furthermore, we suggest that obesity-associated remodelling of membranes and organelles drives cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Identification of cancer-related lipid-mediated mechanisms amongst the broad metabolic disturbances due to excess adiposity is central to the identification of novel and more efficacious prevention and intervention strategies.

Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Receptor 2 Induces Otoprotective Responses to Cisplatin Treatment

Ototoxicity is a major adverse effect of platinum-based chemotherapeutics and currently, there remains a lack of United States Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies to prevent or treat this problem. In our study, we examined the role of the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1P₂) in attenuating cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in several different animal models and cell lines. We found that ototoxicity in S1P₂ knockout mice is dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and that S1P₂ receptor activation with a specific agonist, CYM-5478, significantly attenuates cisplatin-induced defects, including hair cell degeneration in zebrafish and prolonged auditory brainstem response latency in rats. We also evaluated the cytoprotective effect of CYM-5478 across different cell lines and showed that CYM-5478 protects neural-derived cell lines but not breast cancer cells against cisplatin toxicity. We show that this selective protection of CYM-5478 is due to its differential effects on key regulators of apoptosis between neural cells and breast cancer cells. Overall, our study suggests that targeting the S1P₂ receptor represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in cancer patients.

Targeting the Sphingolipid System as a Therapeutic Direction for Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most commonly diagnosed malignant brain tumor in adults. The prognosis for patients with GBM remains poor and largely unchanged over the last 30 years, due to the limitations of existing therapies. Thus, new therapeutic approaches are desperately required. Sphingolipids are highly enriched in the brain, forming the structural components of cell membranes, and are major lipid constituents of the myelin sheaths of nerve axons, as well as playing critical roles in cell signaling. Indeed, a number of sphingolipids elicit a variety of cellular responses involved in the development and progression of GBM. Here, we discuss the role of sphingolipids in the pathobiology of GBM, and how targeting sphingolipid metabolism has emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of GBM.