1
|
Bonab MKF, Guo Z, Li Q. Glycosphingolipids: from metabolism to chemoenzymatic total synthesis. Org Biomol Chem 2024. [PMID: 39120686 DOI: 10.1039/d4ob00695j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
GSLs are the major glycolipids in vertebrates and mediate many key biological processes from intercellular recognition to cis regulation of signal transduction. The fast-expanding field of glycobiology has led to a growing demand for diverse and structurally defined GSLs, and enzymatic GSL synthesis is developing rapidly in accordance. This article provides an overview of natural GSL biosynthetic pathways and surveys the bacterial enzymes applied to GSL synthesis and recent progress in synthesis strategies. By correlating these three areas, this article aims to define the gaps between GSL biosynthesis and chemoenzymatic synthesis and evaluate the opportunities for harnessing natural forces to access GSLs efficiently.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitra K F Bonab
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, USA.
| | - Zhongwu Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA.
| | - Qingjiang Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wilkerson JL, Tatum SM, Holland WL, Summers SA. Ceramides are fuel gauges on the drive to cardiometabolic disease. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1061-1119. [PMID: 38300524 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00008.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Ceramides are signals of fatty acid excess that accumulate when a cell's energetic needs have been met and its nutrient storage has reached capacity. As these sphingolipids accrue, they alter the metabolism and survival of cells throughout the body including in the heart, liver, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, brain, and kidney. These ceramide actions elicit the tissue dysfunction that underlies cardiometabolic diseases such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, metabolic-associated steatohepatitis, and heart failure. Here, we review the biosynthesis and degradation pathways that maintain ceramide levels in normal physiology and discuss how the loss of ceramide homeostasis drives cardiometabolic pathologies. We highlight signaling nodes that sense small changes in ceramides and in turn reprogram cellular metabolism and stimulate apoptosis. Finally, we evaluate the emerging therapeutic utility of these unique lipids as biomarkers that forecast disease risk and as targets of ceramide-lowering interventions that ameliorate disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Wilkerson
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Sean M Tatum
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - William L Holland
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| | - Scott A Summers
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu Q, Zhang X, Qi J, Tian X, Dovjak E, Zhang J, Du H, Zhang N, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Wang L, Wei Y, Liu C, Qian R, Xiang L, Li W, Xiu P, Ma C, Yu Y, Jiang S. Comprehensive profiling of lipid metabolic reprogramming expands precision medicine for HCC. Hepatology 2024:01515467-990000000-00919. [PMID: 38899975 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Liver HCC is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The heterogeneity of this malignancy is driven by a wide range of genetic alterations, leading to a lack of effective therapeutic options. In this study, we conducted a systematic multi-omics characterization of HCC to uncover its metabolic reprogramming signature. APPROACH AND RESULTS Through a comprehensive analysis incorporating transcriptomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic investigations, we identified significant changes in metabolic pathways related to glucose flux, lipid oxidation and degradation, and de novo lipogenesis in HCC. The lipidomic analysis revealed abnormal alterations in glycerol-lipids, phosphatidylcholine, and sphingolipid derivatives. Machine-learning techniques identified a panel of genes associated with lipid metabolism as common biomarkers for HCC across different etiologies. Our findings suggest that targeting phosphatidylcholine with saturated fatty acids and long-chain sphingolipid biosynthesis pathways, particularly by inhibiting lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 ( LPCAT1 ) and ceramide synthase 5 ( CERS5 ) as potential therapeutic strategies for HCC in vivo and in vitro. Notably, our data revealed an oncogenic role of CERS5 in promoting tumor progression through lipophagy. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, our study elucidates the metabolic reprogramming nature of lipid metabolism in HCC, identifies prognostic markers and therapeutic targets, and highlights potential metabolism-related targets for therapeutic intervention in HCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingbin Liu
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
- Post-Doctoral Research Center, Cisen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Jining, Shandong, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- Pathology Department, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Jingjing Qi
- Medical Faculty, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Xinchen Tian
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Eva Dovjak
- Medical Faculty, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Jiaqi Zhang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Honghuan Du
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Ni Zhang
- Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Ultrasonic Medicine, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yangang Wei
- Post-Doctoral Research Center, Cisen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Chenqiao Liu
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Ruikun Qian
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Longquan Xiang
- Pathology Department, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Weiyang Li
- School of Biological Sciences, Jining Medical University, Rizhao, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Xiu
- Department of General Surgery, Shandong Province Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Hospital Affiliated With Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Changlin Ma
- Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yong Yu
- Medical Faculty, Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Shulong Jiang
- Clinical Medical Laboratory Center, Jining First People's Hospital, Shandong First Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Reese L, Niepmann ST, Düsing P, Hänschke L, Beiert T, Zimmer S, Nickenig G, Bauer R, Jansen F, Zietzer A. Loss of ceramide synthase 5 inhibits the development of experimentally induced aortic valve stenosis. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024; 240:e14140. [PMID: 38546351 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
AIM Inflammation and calcification are hallmarks in the development of aortic valve stenosis (AVS). Ceramides mediate inflammation and calcification in the vascular tissue. The highly abundant d18:1,16:0 ceramide (C16) has been linked to increased cardiovascular mortality and obesity. In this study, we investigate the role of ceramide synthase 5 (CerS5), a critical enzyme for C16 ceramide synthesis, in the development of AVS, particularly in conjunction with a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet (Western diet, WD). METHODS We used wild-type (WT) and CerS5-/- mice on WD or normal chow in a wire injury model. We measured the peak velocity to determine AVS development and performed histological analysis of the aortic valve area, immune cell infiltration (CD68 staining), and calcification (von Kossa). In vitro experiments involved measuring the calcification of human aortic valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and evaluating cytokine release from THP-1 cells, a human leukemia monocytic-like cell line, following CerS5 knockdown. RESULTS CerS5-/- mice showed a reduced peak velocity compared to WT only in the experiment with WD. Likewise, we observed reduced immune cell infiltration and calcification in the aortic valve of CerS5-/- mice, but only on WD. In vitro, calcification was reduced after knockdown of CerS5 in VICs, while THP-1 cells exhibited a decreased inflammatory response following CerS5 knockdown. CONCLUSION We conclude that CerS5 is an important mediator for the development of AVS in mice on WD and regulates critical pathophysiological hallmarks of AVS formation. CerS5 is therefore an interesting target for pharmacological therapy and merits further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurine Reese
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sven Thomas Niepmann
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philip Düsing
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lea Hänschke
- Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), Genetics & Molecular Physiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Beiert
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sebastian Zimmer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Georg Nickenig
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Reinhard Bauer
- Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), Genetics & Molecular Physiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Jansen
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas Zietzer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Merz N, Hartel JC, Grösch S. How ceramides affect the development of colon cancer: from normal colon to carcinoma. Pflugers Arch 2024:10.1007/s00424-024-02960-x. [PMID: 38635059 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-024-02960-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The integrity of the colon and the development of colon cancer depend on the sphingolipid balance in colon epithelial cells. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on how ceramides and their complex derivatives influence normal colon development and colon cancer development. Ceramides, glucosylceramides and sphingomyelin are essential membrane components and, due to their biophysical properties, can influence the activation of membrane proteins, affecting protein-protein interactions and downstream signalling pathways. Here, we review the cellular mechanisms known to be affected by ceramides and their effects on colon development. We also describe which ceramides are deregulated during colorectal carcinogenesis, the molecular mechanisms involved in ceramide deregulation and how this affects carcinogenesis. Finally, we review new methods that are now state of the art for studying lipid-protein interactions in the physiological environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Merz
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jennifer Christina Hartel
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Sabine Grösch
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Theodor Stern Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wohlwend M, Laurila PP, Goeminne LJE, Lima T, Daskalaki I, Li X, von Alvensleben G, Crisol B, Mangione R, Gallart-Ayala H, Lalou A, Burri O, Butler S, Morris J, Turner N, Ivanisevic J, Auwerx J. Inhibition of CERS1 in skeletal muscle exacerbates age-related muscle dysfunction. eLife 2024; 12:RP90522. [PMID: 38506902 PMCID: PMC10954306 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related muscle wasting and dysfunction render the elderly population vulnerable and incapacitated, while underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we implicate the CERS1 enzyme of the de novo sphingolipid synthesis pathway in the pathogenesis of age-related skeletal muscle impairment. In humans, CERS1 abundance declines with aging in skeletal muscle cells and, correlates with biological pathways involved in muscle function and myogenesis. Furthermore, CERS1 is upregulated during myogenic differentiation. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of CERS1 in aged mice blunts myogenesis and deteriorates aged skeletal muscle mass and function, which is associated with the occurrence of morphological features typical of inflammation and fibrosis. Ablation of the CERS1 orthologue lagr-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans similarly exacerbates the age-associated decline in muscle function and integrity. We discover genetic variants reducing CERS1 expression in human skeletal muscle and Mendelian randomization analysis in the UK biobank cohort shows that these variants reduce muscle grip strength and overall health. In summary, our findings link age-related impairments in muscle function to a reduction in CERS1, thereby underlining the importance of the sphingolipid biosynthesis pathway in age-related muscle homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wohlwend
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Pirkka-Pekka Laurila
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Ludger JE Goeminne
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Tanes Lima
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Ioanna Daskalaki
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Xiaoxu Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Giacomo von Alvensleben
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Barbara Crisol
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Renata Mangione
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Hector Gallart-Ayala
- Metabolomics Platform, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne (UNIL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Amélia Lalou
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Olivier Burri
- Bioimaging and optics platform, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Stephen Butler
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Jonathan Morris
- School of Chemistry, University of New South Wales SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Nigel Turner
- Cellular Bioenergetics Laboratory, Victor Chang Cardiac Research InstituteDarlinghurstAustralia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Julijana Ivanisevic
- Metabolomics Platform, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne (UNIL)LausanneSwitzerland
| | - Johan Auwerx
- Laboratory of Integrative Systems Physiology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mu J, Lam SM, Shui G. Emerging roles and therapeutic potentials of sphingolipids in pathophysiology: emphasis on fatty acyl heterogeneity. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:268-278. [PMID: 37364711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids not only exert structural roles in cellular membranes, but also act as signaling molecules in various physiological and pathological processes. A myriad of studies have shown that abnormal levels of sphingolipids and their metabolic enzymes are associated with a variety of human diseases. Moreover, blood sphingolipids can also be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis. This review summarizes the biosynthesis, metabolism, and pathological roles of sphingolipids, with emphasis on the biosynthesis of ceramide, the precursor for the biosynthesis of complex sphingolipids with different fatty acyl chains. The possibility of using sphingolipids for disease prediction, diagnosis, and treatment is also discussed. Targeting endogenous ceramides and complex sphingolipids along with their specific fatty acyl chain to promote future drug development will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Sin Man Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Lipidall Technologies Company Limited, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China.
| | - Guanghou Shui
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Richardson WJ, Humphrey SB, Sears SM, Hoffman NA, Orwick AJ, Doll MA, Doll CL, Xia C, Hernandez-Corbacho M, Snider JM, Obeid LM, Hannun YA, Snider AJ, Siskind LJ. Expression of Ceramide Synthases in Mice and Their Roles in Regulating Acyl-Chain Sphingolipids: A Framework for Baseline Levels and Future Implications in Aging and Disease. Mol Pharmacol 2024; 105:131-143. [PMID: 38164625 PMCID: PMC10877707 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Sphingolipids are an important class of lipids present in all eukaryotic cells that regulate critical cellular processes. Disturbances in sphingolipid homeostasis have been linked to several diseases in humans. Ceramides are central in sphingolipid metabolism and are largely synthesized by six ceramide synthase (CerS) isoforms (CerS1-6), each with a preference for different fatty acyl chain lengths. Although the tissue distribution of CerS mRNA expression in humans and the roles of CerS isoforms in synthesizing ceramides with different acyl chain lengths are known, it is unknown how CerS expression dictates ceramides and downstream metabolites within tissues. In this study, we analyzed sphingolipid levels and CerS mRNA expression in 3-month-old C57BL/6J mouse brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, and skeletal muscle. The results showed that CerS expression and sphingolipid species abundance varied by tissue and that CerS expression was a predictor of ceramide species within tissues. Interestingly, although CerS expression was not predictive of complex sphingolipid species within all tissues, composite scores for CerSs contributions to total sphingolipids measured in each tissue correlated to CerS expression. Lastly, we determined that the most abundant ceramide species in mouse tissues aligned with CerS mRNA expression in corresponding human tissues (based on chain length preference), suggesting that mice are relevant preclinical models for ceramide and sphingolipid research. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The current study demonstrates that ceramide synthase (CerS) expression in specific tissues correlates not only with ceramide species but contributes to the generation of complex sphingolipids as well. As many of the CerSs and/or specific ceramide species have been implicated in disease, these studies suggest the potential for CerSs as therapeutic targets and the use of sphingolipid species as diagnostics in specific tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Whitney J Richardson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Sophia B Humphrey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Sophia M Sears
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Nicholas A Hoffman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Andrew J Orwick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Mark A Doll
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Chelsea L Doll
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Catherine Xia
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Maria Hernandez-Corbacho
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Justin M Snider
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Lina M Obeid
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Yusuf A Hannun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Ashley J Snider
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| | - Leah J Siskind
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky (W.J.R., S.B.H., S.M.S., N.A.H., A.J.O., M.A.D., L.J.S.); Department of Medicine and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York (M.H.-C., L.M.O., Y.A.H.); Northport Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Northport, New York (L.M.O., Y.A.H.); School of Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, and University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (C.L.D., C.X., J.M.S., A.J.S.); and Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky (L.J.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gruzdeva O, Dyleva Y, Belik E, Uchasova E, Ponasenko A, Ivanov S, Zinets M, Stasev A, Kutikhin A, Markova V, Poddubnyak A, Gorbatovskaya E, Fanaskova E, Barbarash O. Expression of Ceramide-Metabolizing Enzymes in the Heart Adipose Tissue of Cardiovascular Disease Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119494. [PMID: 37298446 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we examined the expression of ceramide metabolism enzymes in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) of 30 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 30 patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) by means of quantitative polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent Western blotting. The EAT of patients with CAD showed higher expression of the genes responsible for ceramide biosynthesis (SPTLC1, SPTLC2, CERS1, 5, 6, DEGS1, and SMPD1) and utilization (ASAH1, SGMS1). PVAT was characterized by higher mRNA levels of CERS3, CERS4, DEGS1, SMPD1, and ceramide utilization enzyme (SGMS2). In patients with VHD, there was a high CERS4, DEGS1, and SGMS2 expression in the EAT and CERS3 and CERS4 expression in the PVAT. Among patients with CAD, the expression of SPTLC1 in SAT and EAT, SPTLC2 in EAT, CERS2 in all studied AT, CERS4 and CERS5 in EAT, DEGS1 in SAT and EAT, ASAH1 in all studied AT, and SGMS1 in EAT was higher than in those with VHD. Protein levels of ceramide-metabolizing enzymes were consistent with gene expression trends. The obtained results indicate an activation of ceramide synthesis de novo and from sphingomyelin in cardiovascular disease, mainly in EAT, that contributes to the accumulation of ceramides in this location.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Gruzdeva
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Kemerovo State Medical University, 650029 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Yulia Dyleva
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Belik
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Evgenia Uchasova
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Anastasia Ponasenko
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Sergey Ivanov
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Maxim Zinets
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Alexander Stasev
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Anton Kutikhin
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Victoria Markova
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Alena Poddubnyak
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Evgenia Gorbatovskaya
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Elena Fanaskova
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
| | - Olga Barbarash
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases, 6, Sosnovy Boulevard, 650002 Kemerovo, Russia
- Department of Pathophysiology, Kemerovo State Medical University, 650029 Kemerovo, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chen J, Hao Y, Xu P, Bian D, Han L, Wu X, Zhuang Z, Wang J, Luo Y. CerS5 deficiency promotes liver fibrosis development in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 667:120-126. [PMID: 37216827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocyte lipotoxicity mediated by sphingolipids was considered one of important factors in NAFLD development. Knocking out key enzymes for sphingolipids synthesis, such as DES-1, SPHK1 and CerS6, could reduce hepatocyte lipotoxicity and improve NAFLD progression. Previous studies showed that roles of CerS5 and CerS6 in sphingolipids metabolism were similar, but the role of CerS5 was controversial in NAFLD development. This study aimed to clarify the role and mechanism of CerS5 in NAFLD development. METHODS Hepatocyte conditional CerS5 knockout (CerS5 CKO) and wild type (WT) mice were fed with standard control diet (SC) and choline-deficient, l-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) and then divided into four groups: CerS5 CKO-SC, CerS5 CKO-CDAHFD, WT-SC and WT-CDAHFD. RT-PCR, IHC and WB were used to analyze the expression of inflammatory, fibrosis and bile acids (BA) metabolism factors. RNA-seq was used to analyze differences of transcriptional levels of liver molecules among the four groups. Metabolomics was used to measured differences of hepatic BAs among the four groups. RESULTS Hepatocyte specific knockout of CerS5 did not increase or reduce the severity of 8-weeks CDAHFD induced hepatic steatosis and inflammation, but significantly worsened the progression of liver fibrosis in these mice. At the molecular level, hepatocyte specific knockout of CerS5 did not increase or reduce expression of hepatic inflammatory factors: CD68, F4/80 and MCP-1, but increased expression of hepatic fibrosis factors: α-SMA, COL1α and TGF-β in mice fed with CDAHFD. Transcriptome analysis showed that hepatocyte specific knockout of CerS5 significantly decreased the expression of hepatic cyp27a1, and decreased expression of cyp27a1 was further validated by RT-PCR and WB. Considering that cyp27a1 was a key enzyme in the alternative pathway of BA synthesis, we further found that hepatic BA pools in CerS5 CKO mice were more conducive to the progression of liver fibrosis, which were characterized by elevated hydrophobic 12α-OH BAs and decreased hydrophilic non-12α-OH BAs. CONCLUSION CerS5 played an important role in the progression of NAFLD related fibrosis, and hepatocyte specific knockout of CerS5 accelerated the progression of NAFLD related fibrosis, which was possibly due to the inhibition of BA synthesis alternative pathway by knocking out hepatocyte CerS5.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanping Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dongxue Bian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yancheng TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liang Han
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xudong Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhengjie Zhuang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, No.126, Wenzhou Road, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianhua Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Yancheng, The Yancheng Clinical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Yancheng, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Central Laboratory, Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital, No.126, Wenzhou Road, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
The Impact of Phytochemicals in Obesity-Related Metabolic Diseases: Focus on Ceramide Metabolism. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030703. [PMID: 36771408 PMCID: PMC9920427 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity and related metabolic diseases has increased dramatically worldwide. As obesity progresses, various lipid species accumulate in ectopic tissues. Amongst them, ceramides-a deleterious sphingolipid species-accumulate and cause lipotoxicity and metabolic disturbances. Dysregulated ceramide metabolism appears to be a key feature in the pathogenesis of obesity-related metabolic diseases. Notably, dietary modification might have an impact on modulating ceramide metabolism. Phytochemicals are plant-derived compounds with various physiological properties, which have been shown to protect against obesity-related metabolic diseases. In this review, we aim to examine the impact of a myriad of phytochemicals and their dietary sources in altering ceramide deposition and ceramide-related metabolism from in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical/epidemiological studies. This review discusses how numerous phytochemicals are able to alleviate ceramide-induced metabolic defects and reduce the risk of obesity-related metabolic diseases via diverse mechanisms.
Collapse
|
13
|
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] [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.
Collapse
|
14
|
Sandhoff R, Sandhoff K. Neuronal Ganglioside and Glycosphingolipid (GSL) Metabolism and Disease : Cascades of Secondary Metabolic Errors Can Generate Complex Pathologies (in LSDs). ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 29:333-390. [PMID: 36255681 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-12390-0_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are a diverse group of membrane components occurring mainly on the surfaces of mammalian cells. They and their metabolites have a role in intercellular communication, serving as versatile biochemical signals (Kaltner et al, Biochem J 476(18):2623-2655, 2019) and in many cellular pathways. Anionic GSLs, the sialic acid containing gangliosides (GGs), are essential constituents of neuronal cell surfaces, whereas anionic sulfatides are key components of myelin and myelin forming oligodendrocytes. The stepwise biosynthetic pathways of GSLs occur at and lead along the membranes of organellar surfaces of the secretory pathway. After formation of the hydrophobic ceramide membrane anchor of GSLs at the ER, membrane-spanning glycosyltransferases (GTs) of the Golgi and Trans-Golgi network generate cell type-specific GSL patterns for cellular surfaces. GSLs of the cellular plasma membrane can reach intra-lysosomal, i.e. luminal, vesicles (ILVs) by endocytic pathways for degradation. Soluble glycoproteins, the glycosidases, lipid binding and transfer proteins and acid ceramidase are needed for the lysosomal catabolism of GSLs at ILV-membrane surfaces. Inherited mutations triggering a functional loss of glycosylated lysosomal hydrolases and lipid binding proteins involved in GSL degradation cause a primary lysosomal accumulation of their non-degradable GSL substrates in lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs). Lipid binding proteins, the SAPs, and the various lipids of the ILV-membranes regulate GSL catabolism, but also primary storage compounds such as sphingomyelin (SM), cholesterol (Chol.), or chondroitin sulfate can effectively inhibit catabolic lysosomal pathways of GSLs. This causes cascades of metabolic errors, accumulating secondary lysosomal GSL- and GG- storage that can trigger a complex pathology (Breiden and Sandhoff, Int J Mol Sci 21(7):2566, 2020).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger Sandhoff
- Lipid Pathobiochemistry Group, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Konrad Sandhoff
- LIMES, c/o Kekule-Institute for Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Zhu C, Huai Q, Zhang X, Dai H, Li X, Wang H. Insights into the roles and pathomechanisms of ceramide and sphigosine-1-phosphate in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:311-330. [PMID: 36594091 PMCID: PMC9760443 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.78525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as one of the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, encompasses a spectrum of liver conditions that are not caused by other etiology, such as overt alcohol consumption, from simple steatosis to more aggressive non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that involves liver inflammation and fibrosis, and to the lethal cirrhosis that may result in liver cancer and liver failure. The molecular mechanisms governing the transition from steatosis to NASH remain not fully understood, but the hepatic lipidome is extensively altered in the setting of steatosis and steatohepatitis, which also correlate with disease progression. With the tremendous advancement in the field of lipidomics in last two decades, a better understanding of the specific role of sphingolipids in fatty liver disease has taken shape. Among the numerous lipid subtypes that accumulate, ceramides are particularly impactful. On the one hand, excessive ceramides deposition in the liver cause hepatic steatosis. On the other hand, ceramides as lipotoxic lipid have significant effects on hepatic inflammation, apoptosis and insulin resistance that contribute to NAFLD. In this review, we summarize and evaluate current understanding of the multiple roles of ceramides in the onset of fatty liver disease and the pathogenic mechanisms underlying their effects, and we also discuss recent advances and challenges in pharmacological interventions targeting ceramide metabolism for the treatment of NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhu
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qian Huai
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hanren Dai
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaolei Li
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,✉ Corresponding author: Hua Wang, Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China and Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China. E-mail: ; Xiaolei Li, Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China. E-mail:
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China.,✉ Corresponding author: Hua Wang, Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China and Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China. E-mail: ; Xiaolei Li, Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Guo J, Feng J, Qu H, Xu H, Zhou H. Potential Drug Targets for Ceramide Metabolism in Cardiovascular Disease. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2022; 9:jcdd9120434. [PMID: 36547431 PMCID: PMC9782850 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9120434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease poses a significant threat to the quality of human life. Metabolic abnormalities caused by excessive caloric intake have been shown to lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Ceramides are structural molecules found in biological membranes; they are crucial for cell survival and lipid metabolism, as they maintain barrier function and membrane fluidity. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that ceramide has a strong correlation with cardiovascular disease progression. Nevertheless, it remains a challenge to develop sphingolipids as therapeutic targets to improve the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we summarize the three synthesis pathways of ceramide and other intermediates that are important in ceramide metabolism. Furthermore, mechanistic studies and therapeutic strategies, including clinical drugs and bioactive molecules based on these intermediates, are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Guo
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 528, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiling Feng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 528, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huiyan Qu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 528, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hongxi Xu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 528, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Engineering Research Center of Shanghai Colleges for TCM New Drug Discovery, No. 1200, Cailun Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (H.Z.); Tel.: +86-021-5132-3089 (H.X.); +86-021-2025-6770 (H.Z.)
| | - Hua Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 528, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- Correspondence: (H.X.); (H.Z.); Tel.: +86-021-5132-3089 (H.X.); +86-021-2025-6770 (H.Z.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Liu C, Chen K, Zhao F, Xuan L, Wang Y, Xu C, Wu Z, Wang D, Qu C. Occult infection with hepatitis B virus PreS variants synergistically promotes hepatocellular carcinoma development in a high-fat diet context by generating abnormal ceramides. BMC Med 2022; 20:279. [PMID: 36058909 PMCID: PMC9442965 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02481-3] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are resulted from PreS mutations that reduce secretion of envelope protein (HBsAg). We investigated the ceramide amounts and species in hepatocytes infected with PreS variants that were isolated from HBsAg-seronegative patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the ceramide effects on autochthonous HCC development in murine models. METHODS HBV PreS/S regions from 35 HBsAg-seronegative HCC patients were sequenced. Hepatocyte cell lines and male C57BL/6J mouse livers were transfected with two PreS variant representatives. The ceramides with variated lengths of fatty acyl chains were quantified. Tumour development was examined in the HBV-transfected mice fed different diet types. RESULTS In HBsAg-seronegative HCC patients, nonneoplastic liver tissues harboured HBsAg and replication-competent HBV. The most frequently detected PreS/S variants carried mutations of altered amino acid properties in HBsAg compared with an isolate from one HBsAg-seronegative HCC patient. Hepatocyte infection with PreS variants caused HBsAg retention within the endoplasmic reticulum and generated more amounts of ceramides with C16:0 ceramide elevated the highest. Saturated fatty acids aggravated the PreS variant-infected hepatocytes to generate abnormal amounts and species of ceramides, which with HBV proteins synergistically activated NLRP3 inflammasome in liver inflammatory macrophages. Liver tumours were only detected in HBV-transfected mice fed high-fat diet, with higher tumour loads in the PreS variant-transfected, associated with abnormal ceramide generation. CONCLUSIONS HBV PreS mutations which altered amino acid properties of envelope proteins inhibited HBsAg secretion. Hepatocyte infection with PreS variants generated abnormal ceramides which with HBV proteins coactivated NLRP3 inflammasome in liver macrophages to promote autochthonous HCC development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Chen
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Zhao
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Xuan
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuting Wang
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Chungui Xu
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyuan Wu
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongmei Wang
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunfeng Qu
- State Key Lab of Molecular Oncology & Immunology Department, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No 17 Panjiayuan South Lane, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ceramide Acyl Chain Length and Its Relevance to Intracellular Lipid Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179697. [PMID: 36077094 PMCID: PMC9456274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceramides are a class of sphingolipids which are implicated in skin disorders, obesity, and other metabolic diseases. As a class with pleiotropic effects, recent efforts have centred on discerning specific ceramide species and their effects on atopic dermatitis, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. This delineation has allowed the identification of disease biomarkers, with long acyl chain ceramides such as C16- and C18-ceramides linked to metabolic dysfunction and cardiac function decline, while ultra-long acyl chain ceramides (>25 carbon acyl chain) were reported to be essential for maintaining a functional skin barrier. Given the intricate link between free fatty acids with ceramides, especially the de novo synthetic pathway, intracellular lipid droplet formation is increasingly viewed as an important mechanism for preventing accumulation of toxic ceramide species. Here, we review recent reports of various ceramide species involved in skin abnormalities and metabolic diseases, and we propose that promotion of lipid droplet biogenesis can be seen as a potential protective mechanism against deleterious ceramides.
Collapse
|
20
|
Zietzer A, Düsing P, Reese L, Nickenig G, Jansen F. Ceramide Metabolism in Cardiovascular Disease: A Network With High Therapeutic Potential. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2022; 42:1220-1228. [PMID: 36004640 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.122.318048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that ceramides play an important role in the development of atherosclerotic and valvular heart disease. Ceramides are biologically active sphingolipids that are produced by a complex network of enzymes. Lowering cellular and tissue levels of ceramide by inhibiting the ceramide-producing enzymes counteracts atherosclerotic and valvular heart disease development in animal models. In vascular tissues, ceramides are produced in response to hyperglycemia and TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α signaling and are involved in NO-signaling and inflammation. In humans, elevated blood ceramide levels are associated with cardiovascular events. Furthermore, important cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity and diabetes, have been linked to ceramide accumulation. This review summarizes the basic mechanisms of how ceramides drive cardiovascular disease locally and links these findings to the intriguing results of human studies on ceramides as biomarkers for cardiovascular events. Moreover, we discuss the current state of interventions to therapeutically influence vascular ceramide metabolism, both locally and systemically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Zietzer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Philip Düsing
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Laurine Reese
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Georg Nickenig
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Germany
| | - Felix Jansen
- Department of Internal Medicine II, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Santoro C, O'Toole A, Finsel P, Alvi A, Musselman LP. Reducing ether lipids improves Drosophila overnutrition-associated pathophysiology phenotypes via a switch from lipid storage to beta-oxidation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13021. [PMID: 35906462 PMCID: PMC9338069 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16870-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
High-calorie diets increase the risk of developing obesity, cardiovascular disease, type-two diabetes (T2D), and other comorbidities. These "overnutrition" diets also promote the accumulation of a variety of harmful lipids in the heart and other peripheral organs, known as lipotoxicity. However, the mechanisms underlying lipotoxicity and its influence on pathophysiology remain unknown. Our study uses genetics to identify the role of ether lipids, a class of potential lipotoxins, in a Drosophila model of overnutrition. A high-sugar diet (HSD) increases ether lipids and produces T2D-like pathophysiology phenotypes, including obesity, insulin resistance, and cardiac failure. Therefore, we targeted ether lipid biosynthesis through the enzyme dihydroxyacetonephosphate acyltransferase (encoded by the gene DHAPAT). We found that reducing DHAPAT in the fat body improved TAG and glucose homeostasis, cardiac function, respiration, and insulin signaling in flies fed a HSD. The reduction of DHAPAT may cause a switch in molecular signaling from lipogenesis to fatty acid oxidation via activation of a PPARα-like receptor, as bezafibrate produced similar improvements in HS-fed flies. Taken together, our findings suggest that ether lipids may be lipotoxins that reduce fitness during overnutrition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christie Santoro
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Ashley O'Toole
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Pilar Finsel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | - Arsalan Alvi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, 13902, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kim J, Pewzner-Jung Y, Joseph T, Ben-Dor S, Futerman AH. Generation of a ceramide synthase 6 mouse lacking the DDRSDIE C-terminal motif. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271675. [PMID: 35849604 PMCID: PMC9292091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The important membrane lipid, ceramide, is generated by a family of homologous enzymes, the ceramide synthases (CerSs), multi-spanning membrane proteins located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Six CerS isoforms exist in mammals with each using a subset of acyl-CoAs for (dihydro)ceramide synthesis. A number of mice have been generated in which one or other CerS has been genetically manipulated, including complete knock-outs, with each displaying phenotypes concomitant with the expression levels of the CerS in question and the presumed biological function of the ceramide species that it generates. We recently described a short C-terminal motif in the CerS which is involved in CerS dimer formation; deleting this motif had no effect on the ability of the CerS to synthesize ceramide in vitro. In the current study, we generated a CerS6 mouse using CRISPR-Cas9, in which the DDRSDIE motif was replaced by ADAAAIA. While levels of CerS6ADAAAIA expression were unaffected in the CerS6ADAAAIA mouse, and CerS6ADAAAIA was able to generate C16-ceramide in vitro, ceramide levels were significantly reduced in the CerS6ADAAAIA mouse, suggesting that replacing this motif affects an as-yet unknown mechanism of regulation of ceramide synthesis via the DDRSDIE motif in vivo. Crossing CerS6ADAAAIA mice with CerS5 null mice led to generation of viable mice in which C16-ceramide levels were reduced by up to 90%, suggesting that depletion of C16-ceramide levels is compensated for by other ceramide species with different acyl chain lengths.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyoon Kim
- Department Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Yael Pewzner-Jung
- Department Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tammar Joseph
- Department Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Shifra Ben-Dor
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Anthony H. Futerman
- Department Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Contribution of specific ceramides to obesity-associated metabolic diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:395. [PMID: 35789435 PMCID: PMC9252958 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04401-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Ceramides are a heterogeneous group of bioactive membrane sphingolipids that play specialized regulatory roles in cellular metabolism depending on their characteristic fatty acyl chain lengths and subcellular distribution. As obesity progresses, certain ceramide molecular species accumulate in metabolic tissues and cause cell-type-specific lipotoxic reactions that disrupt metabolic homeostasis and lead to the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Several mechanisms for ceramide action have been inferred from studies in vitro, but only recently have we begun to better understand the acyl chain length specificity of ceramide-mediated signaling in the context of physiology and disease in vivo. New discoveries show that specific ceramides affect various metabolic pathways and that global or tissue-specific reduction in selected ceramide pools in obese rodents is sufficient to improve metabolic health. Here, we review the tissue-specific regulation and functions of ceramides in obesity, thus highlighting the emerging concept of selectively inhibiting production or action of ceramides with specific acyl chain lengths as novel therapeutic strategies to ameliorate obesity-associated diseases.
Collapse
|
24
|
Circadian rhythm of lipid metabolism. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1191-1204. [PMID: 35604112 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Lipids comprise a diverse group of metabolites that are indispensable as energy storage molecules, cellular membrane components and mediators of inter- and intra-cellular signaling processes. Lipid homeostasis plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic health in mammals including human beings. A growing body of evidence suggests that the circadian clock system ensures temporal orchestration of lipid homeostasis, and that perturbation of such diurnal regulation leads to the development of metabolic disorders comprising obesity and type 2 diabetes. In view of the emerging role of circadian regulation in maintaining lipid homeostasis, in this review, we summarize the current knowledge on lipid metabolic pathways controlled by the mammalian circadian system. Furthermore, we review the emerging connection between the development of human metabolic diseases and changes in lipid metabolites that belong to major classes of lipids. Finally, we highlight the mechanisms underlying circadian organization of lipid metabolic rhythms upon the physiological situation, and the consequences of circadian clock dysfunction for dysregulation of lipid metabolism.
Collapse
|
25
|
Huang JK, Lee HC. Emerging Evidence of Pathological Roles of Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084300. [PMID: 35457118 PMCID: PMC9031540 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Embraced with apolipoproteins (Apo) B and Apo E, triglyceride-enriched very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is secreted by the liver into circulation, mainly during post-meal hours. Here, we present a brief review of the physiological role of VLDL and a systemic review of the emerging evidence supporting its pathological roles. VLDL promotes atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome (MetS). VLDL isolated from subjects with MetS exhibits cytotoxicity to atrial myocytes, induces atrial myopathy, and promotes vulnerability to atrial fibrillation. VLDL levels are affected by a number of endocrinological disorders and can be increased by therapeutic supplementation with cortisol, growth hormone, progesterone, and estrogen. VLDL promotes aldosterone secretion, which contributes to hypertension. VLDL induces neuroinflammation, leading to cognitive dysfunction. VLDL levels are also correlated with chronic kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, and some dermatological diseases. The extra-hepatic secretion of VLDL derived from intestinal dysbiosis is suggested to be harmful. Emerging evidence suggests disturbed VLDL metabolism in sleep disorders and in cancer development and progression. In addition to VLDL, the VLDL receptor (VLDLR) may affect both VLDL metabolism and carcinogenesis. Overall, emerging evidence supports the pathological roles of VLDL in multi-organ diseases. To better understand the fundamental mechanisms of how VLDL promotes disease development, elucidation of the quality control of VLDL and of the regulation and signaling of VLDLR should be indispensable. With this, successful VLDL-targeted therapies can be discovered in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jih-Kai Huang
- Department of General Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Hsiang-Chun Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Lipid Science and Aging Research Center, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Institute of Medical Science and Technology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Animal Vaccine Technology, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-3121101 (ext. 7741)
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Derežanin L, Blažytė A, Dobrynin P, Duchêne DA, Grau JH, Jeon S, Kliver S, Koepfli KP, Meneghini D, Preick M, Tomarovsky A, Totikov A, Fickel J, Förster DW. Multiple types of genomic variation contribute to adaptive traits in the mustelid subfamily Guloninae. Mol Ecol 2022; 31:2898-2919. [PMID: 35334142 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Species of the mustelid subfamily Guloninae inhabit diverse habitats on multiple continents, and occupy a variety of ecological niches. They differ in feeding ecologies, reproductive strategies and morphological adaptations. To identify candidate loci associated with adaptations to their respective environments, we generated a de novo assembly of the tayra (Eira barbara), the earliest diverging species in the subfamily, and compared this with the genomes available for the wolverine (Gulo gulo) and the sable (Martes zibellina). Our comparative genomic analyses included searching for signs of positive selection, examining changes in gene family sizes, as well as searching for species-specific structural variants (SVs). Among candidate loci associated with phenotypic traits, we observed many related to diet, body condition and reproduction. For example, for the tayra, which has an atypical gulonine reproductive strategy of aseasonal breeding, we observe species-specific changes in many pregnancy-related genes. For the wolverine, a circumpolar hypercarnivore that must cope with seasonal food scarcity, we observed many changes in genes associated with diet and body condition. All types of genomic variation examined (single nucleotide polymorphisms, gene family expansions, structural variants) contributed substantially to the identification of candidate loci. This strongly argues for consideration of variation other than single nucleotide polymorphisms in comparative genomics studies aiming to identify loci of adaptive significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Derežanin
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW, Alfred Kowalke Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Asta Blažytė
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Information and Biotechnology, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Pavel Dobrynin
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, 49 Kronverkskiy Pr, 197101, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - David A Duchêne
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - José Horacio Grau
- amedes Genetics, amedes Medizinische Dienstleistungen GmbH, Jägerstr. 61, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sungwon Jeon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Information and Biotechnology, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea.,Clinomics Inc, Ulsan, 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Sergei Kliver
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, SB RAS, 8/2 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Klaus-Peter Koepfli
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, 49 Kronverkskiy Pr, 197101, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA.,Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, National Zoological Park, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA
| | - Dorina Meneghini
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW, Alfred Kowalke Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Preick
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, OT, Germany
| | - Andrey Tomarovsky
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, 49 Kronverkskiy Pr, 197101, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, SB RAS, 8/2 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, 1 Pirogova str, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Azamat Totikov
- Computer Technologies Laboratory, ITMO University, 49 Kronverkskiy Pr, 197101, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, SB RAS, 8/2 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.,Novosibirsk State University, 1 Pirogova str, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Jörns Fickel
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW, Alfred Kowalke Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, OT, Germany
| | - Daniel W Förster
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW, Alfred Kowalke Straße 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Chathoth S, Ismail MH, Alghamdi HM, Zakaria HM, Hassan KA, Alshomimi S, Vatte C, Cyrus C, Alsaif HS, Mostafa A, Shaaban H, Al Ali A. Insulin resistance induced by de novo pathway–generated C16-ceramide is associated with type 2 diabetes in an obese population. Lipids Health Dis 2022; 21:24. [PMID: 35184720 PMCID: PMC8858530 DOI: 10.1186/s12944-022-01634-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Obesity and diabetes are two chronic metabolic diseases whose prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate globally. A close association between obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance has been identified, and many studies have pinpointed obesity as a causal risk factor for insulin resistance. However, the mechanism underlying this association is not entirely understood. In the past decade, ceramides have gained attention due to their accumulation in certain tissues and their suggested role in initiating insulin resistance. This study aims to determine the association of specific ceramides and their major metabolizing enzymes with obesity-associated insulin resistance.
Methods
The samples comprised subcutaneous adipose tissues collected from three cohorts: lean non-diabetic (controls; n = 20), obese-non-diabetic (n = 66), and obese-diabetic (n = 32). Ceramide levels were quantified using LC-MS/MS and mRNA expression level for different enzymes were estimated using real-time PCR-based RNA expression analysis.
Results
C16-ceramide (P = 0.023), C16-dihydro-ceramide (P < 0.005), C18-dihydro-ceramide (P = 0.009) and C24-ceramide (P = 0.040) levels were significantly increased in the obese cohort compared to the control group. However, stratification of the obese group revealed a significant increase in the C16-ceramide levels (P = 0.027) and mRNA over expression of the serine palmitoyl transferases enzyme subunit SPT1 (P < 0.005) in the obese-diabetic cohort compared to the obese-non-diabetic cohort.
Conclusions
The present study indicates that C16-ceramide plays a pivotal role in inducing insulin resistance. Overexpression of SPT1 in the obese-diabetic group and its positive correlation with C16-ceramide suggest that C16-ceramide was generated through the de novo pathway.
Collapse
|
28
|
Manifold Roles of Ceramide Metabolism in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Liver Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1372:157-168. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-0394-6_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
29
|
Zhu Y, Gu L, Lin X, Zhang J, Tang Y, Zhou X, Lu B, Lin X, Liu C, Prochownik EV, Li Y. Ceramide-mediated gut dysbiosis enhances cholesterol esterification and promotes colorectal tumorigenesis in mice. JCI Insight 2021; 7:150607. [PMID: 34914638 PMCID: PMC8855812 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) severely threatens human health and life span. An effective therapeutic strategy has not been established because we do not clearly know its pathogenesis. Here, we report that ceramide and sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1) have roles in both spontaneous and chemical-induced intestinal cancers. We first found that miRNA-148a deficiency dramatically increased mouse gut dysbiosis through upregulating ceramide synthase 5 (Cers5) expression, which promoted ceramide synthesis afterward. The newly generated ceramide further promoted both azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate–induced (AOM/DSS-induced) and ApcMin/+ spontaneous intestinal tumorigenesis via increasing mouse gut dysbiosis. Meanwhile, increased level of ceramide correlated with the significant enhancements of both β-catenin activity and colorectal tumorigenesis in a TLR4-dependent fashion. Next, we found a direct binding of β-catenin to SOAT1 promoter to activate transcriptional expression of SOAT1, which further induced cholesterol esterification and colorectal tumorigenesis. In human patients with CRC, the same CERS5/TLR4/β-catenin/SOAT1 axis was also found to be dysregulated. Finally, the SOAT1 inhibitor (avasimibe) showed significant levels of therapeutic effects on both AOM/DSS-induced and ApcMin/+ spontaneous intestinal cancer. Our study clarified that ceramide promoted CRC development through increasing gut dysbiosis, further resulting in the increase of cholesterol esterification in a SOAT1-dependent way. Treatment with avasimibe to specifically decrease cholesterol esterification could be considered as a clinical strategy for effective CRC therapy in a future study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yahui Zhu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Gu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Lin
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinmiao Zhang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Tang
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyi Zhou
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bingjun Lu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xingrong Lin
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Cheng Liu
- Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Edward V Prochownik
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, United States of America
| | - Youjun Li
- College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tanase DM, Gosav EM, Petrov D, Jucan AE, Lacatusu CM, Floria M, Tarniceriu CC, Costea CF, Ciocoiu M, Rezus C. Involvement of Ceramides in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Atherosclerosis (ATS) Development: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:2053. [PMID: 34829402 PMCID: PMC8621166 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11112053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherosclerosis (ATS) are worldwide known diseases with increased incidence and prevalence. These two are driven and are interconnected by multiple oxidative and metabolic functions such as lipotoxicity. A gamut of evidence suggests that sphingolipids (SL), such as ceramides, account for much of the tissue damage. Although in humans they are proving to be accurate biomarkers of adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes and NAFLD progression, in rodents, pharmacological inhibition or depletion of enzymes driving de novo ceramide synthesis prevents the development of metabolic driven diseases such as diabetes, ATS, and hepatic steatosis. In this narrative review, we discuss the pathways which generate the ceramide synthesis, the potential use of circulating ceramides as novel biomarkers in the development and progression of ATS and related diseases, and their potential use as therapeutic targets in NAFDL-ATS development which can further provide new clues in this field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Maria Tanase
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.M.T.); (E.M.G.); (C.R.)
- Internal Medicine Clinic, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Evelina Maria Gosav
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.M.T.); (E.M.G.); (C.R.)
- Internal Medicine Clinic, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Daniela Petrov
- Department of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- I Rheumatology Clinic, Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alina Ecaterina Jucan
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Mihaela Lacatusu
- Unit of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Clinical Center of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mariana Floria
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.M.T.); (E.M.G.); (C.R.)
- Internal Medicine Clinic, Emergency Military Clinical Hospital Iasi, 700483 Iasi, Romania
| | - Claudia Cristina Tarniceriu
- Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences I, Discipline of Anatomy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- Hematology Clinic, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Claudia Florida Costea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
- 2nd Ophthalmology Clinic, “Prof. Dr. Nicolae Oblu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, 700309 Iasi, Romania
| | - Manuela Ciocoiu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Ciprian Rezus
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (D.M.T.); (E.M.G.); (C.R.)
- Internal Medicine Clinic, “Sf. Spiridon” County Clinical Emergency Hospital Iasi, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Schmidt S, Gallego SF, Zelnik ID, Kovalchuk S, Albæk N, Sprenger RR, Øverup C, Pewzner-Jung Y, Futerman AH, Lindholm MW, Jensen ON, Ejsing CS. Silencing of ceramide synthase 2 in hepatocytes modulates plasma ceramide biomarkers predictive of cardiovascular death. Mol Ther 2021; 30:1661-1674. [PMID: 34400330 PMCID: PMC9077316 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging clinical data show that three ceramide molecules, Cer d18:1/16:0, Cer d18:1/24:1, and Cer d18:1/24:0, are biomarkers of a fatal outcome in patients with cardiovascular disease. This finding raises basic questions about their metabolic origin, their contribution to disease pathogenesis, and the utility of targeting the underlying enzymatic machinery for treatment of cardiometabolic disorders. Here, we outline the development of a potent N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated antisense oligonucleotide engineered to silence ceramide synthase 2 specifically in hepatocytes in vivo. We demonstrate that this compound reduces the ceramide synthase 2 mRNA level and that this translates into efficient lowering of protein expression and activity as well as Cer d18:1/24:1 and Cer d18:1/24:0 levels in liver. Intriguingly, we discover that the hepatocyte-specific antisense oligonucleotide also triggers a parallel modulation of blood plasma ceramides, revealing that the biomarkers predictive of cardiovascular death are governed by ceramide biosynthesis in hepatocytes. Our work showcases a generic therapeutic framework for targeting components of the ceramide enzymatic machinery to disentangle their roles in disease causality and to explore their utility for treatment of cardiometabolic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Schmidt
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Sandra F Gallego
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VILLUM Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Iris Daphne Zelnik
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Sergey Kovalchuk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VILLUM Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Nanna Albæk
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Richard R Sprenger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VILLUM Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Øverup
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Yael Pewzner-Jung
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Anthony H Futerman
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Marie W Lindholm
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Copenhagen, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Ole N Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VILLUM Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Christer S Ejsing
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, VILLUM Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark; Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Valentino TR, Rule BD, Mobley CB, Nikolova-Karakashian M, Vechetti IJ. Skeletal Muscle Cell Growth Alters the Lipid Composition of Extracellular Vesicles. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:619. [PMID: 34436382 PMCID: PMC8397976 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11080619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We sought to characterize the lipid profile of skeletal muscle cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) to determine if a hypertrophic stimulus would affect the lipid composition of C2C12 myotube-derived EVs. Analyses included C2C12 murine myoblasts differentiated into myotubes and treated with Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) for 24 h to induce hypertrophic growth. EVs were isolated from cell culture media, quantified using Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) and analyzed using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). EVs were homogenized and lipids extracted for quantification by Mass Spectrometry followed by downstream lipid class enrichment and lipid chain analysis. IGF-1 treatment elicited an increase in CD63 and CD81 levels (39% and 21%) compared to the controls (16%), respectively. Analysis revealed that skeletal muscle-derived EVs are enriched in bioactive lipids that are likely selectively incorporated into EVs during hypertrophic growth. IGF-1 treatment of myotubes had a significant impact on the levels of diacylglycerol (DG) and ceramide (Cer) in secreted EVs. Specifically, the proportion of unsaturated DG was two- to three-fold higher in EVs derived from IGF-treated cells, as compared to those from control cells. The levels of saturated DG were unaffected. Selective increases were similarly seen in C16- and C24-Cer but not in other species. Levels of free sphingoid bases tended to decrease, while those of sphingosine-1-phosphate was unaffected. Our results suggest that the lipid composition and biogenesis of skeletal muscle-derived EVs, are specific and highly selective during hypertrophic growth.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R. Valentino
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (T.R.V.); (C.B.M.); (M.N.-K.)
| | - Blake D. Rule
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA;
| | - C. Brooks Mobley
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (T.R.V.); (C.B.M.); (M.N.-K.)
| | | | - Ivan J. Vechetti
- Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Barron K, Ogretmen B, Krupenko N. Ceramide synthase 6 mediates sex-specific metabolic response to dietary folic acid in mice. J Nutr Biochem 2021; 98:108832. [PMID: 34358645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Folic acid-fortified foods and multi-vitamin supplements containing folic acid (FA) are widely used around the world, but the exact mechanisms/metabolic effects of FA are not precisely identified. We have demonstrated that Ceramide Synthase 6 (CerS6) and C16:0-ceramide mediate response to folate stress in cultured cells. Here we investigated the dietary FA effects on mouse liver metabolome, with a specific focus on sphingolipids, CerS6 and C16:0-ceramide. Wild-type and CerS6-/- mice were fed FA-deficient, control, or FA over-supplemented diets for 4 weeks. After dietary treatment, liver concentrations of ceramides, sphingomyelins and hexosylceramides were measured by LC-MS/MS and complemented by untargeted metabolomic characterization of mouse livers. Our study shows that alterations in dietary FA elicit multiple sphingolipid responses mediated by CerS6 in mouse livers. Folic acid-deficient diet elevated C14:0-, C18:0- and C20:0- but not C16:0-ceramide in WT male and female mice. Additionally, FA over-supplementation increased multiple sphingomyelin species, including total sphingomyelins, in both sexes. Of note, concentrations of C14:0- and C16:0-ceramides and hexosylceramides were significantly higher in female livers than in male. The latter were increased by FD diet, with no difference between sexes in total pools of these sphingolipid classes. Untargeted liver metabolomic analysis concurred with the targeted measurements and showed broad effects of dietary FA and CerS6 status on multiple lipid classes including sex-specific effects on phosphatidylethanolamines and diacylglycerols. Our study demonstrates that both dietary FA and CerS6 status exhibit pleiotropic and sex-dependent effects on liver metabolism, including hepatic sphingolipids, diacylglycerols, long chain fatty acids, and phospholipids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Keri Barron
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina
| | - Besim Ogretmen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer center, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Natalia Krupenko
- Nutrition Research Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, North Carolina,; Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Mastrocola R, Dal Bello F, Cento AS, Gaens K, Collotta D, Aragno M, Medana C, Collino M, Wouters K, Schalkwijk CG. Altered hepatic sphingolipid metabolism in insulin resistant mice: Role of advanced glycation endproducts. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 169:425-435. [PMID: 33905864 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
High plasma levels of the sphingolipid intermediates ceramide (Cer) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are suggested to be involved in the development of insulin resistance (IR). Recent evidence indicates that advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) can alter the sphingolipids metabolism equilibrium. Since enzymes responsible for sphingolipid rheostat maintenance are highly expressed in liver, we thus investigated whether AGEs accumulation can affect hepatic sphingolipids metabolism in insulin resistant mice. Two different models of IR were examined: genetically diabetic LeptrDb-/- (DbDb) and diet-induced insulin resistant C57Bl/6J mice fed a 60% trans-fat diet (HFD). In addition, a group of HFD mice was supplemented with the anti-AGEs compound pyridoxamine. AGEs were evaluated in the liver by western blotting. Cer and S1P were measured by UHPLC-MS/MS. The expression of RAGE and of enzymes involved in sphingolipid metabolism were assessed by RT-PCR and western blotting. HepG2 cells were used to study the effect of the major AGE Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML)-albumin on sphingolipid metabolism and the role of the receptor of AGEs (RAGE). High levels of AGEs and RAGE were detected in the liver of both DbDb and HFD mice in comparison to controls. The expression of enzymes of sphingolipid metabolism was altered in both models, accompanied by increased levels of Cer and S1P. Specifically, ceramide synthase 5 and sphingosine kinase 1 were increased, while neutral ceramidase was reduced. Pyridoxamine supplementation to HFD mice diminished hepatic AGEs and prevented alterations of sphingolipid metabolism and the development of IR. CML administration to HepG2 cells evoked alterations similar to those observed in vivo, that were in part mediated by the binding to RAGE. The present study shows a direct involvement of AGEs in alterations of sphingolipid metabolism associated to the development of IR. The modulation of sphingolipids metabolism through the prevention of AGEs accumulation by pyridoxamine may reduce the development of IR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Mastrocola
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy; Dept. of Internal Medicine, MUMC+, Maastricht, Limburg, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht (CARIM), the Netherlands.
| | - Federica Dal Bello
- Dept. of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia S Cento
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Katrien Gaens
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, MUMC+, Maastricht, Limburg, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht (CARIM), the Netherlands
| | - Debora Collotta
- Dept. of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Manuela Aragno
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Claudio Medana
- Dept. of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Massimo Collino
- Dept. of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Kristiaan Wouters
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, MUMC+, Maastricht, Limburg, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht (CARIM), the Netherlands
| | - Casper G Schalkwijk
- Dept. of Internal Medicine, MUMC+, Maastricht, Limburg, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Maastricht (CARIM), the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Kucuk S, Niven J, Caamano J, Jones SW, Camacho-Muñoz D, Nicolaou A, Mauro C. Unwrapping the mechanisms of ceramide and fatty acid-initiated signals leading to immune-inflammatory responses in obesity. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 135:105972. [PMID: 33864951 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.105972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is considered a global epidemic developed in part as a consequence of the overconsumption of high fat diets. One of the main negative outcomes of obesity is the development of low-grade chronic systemic inflammation, induced by dysregulated immune responses, which can lead to multiple obesity-related diseases. Ceramides are a group of bioactive lipids known to be elevated in obesity and obesity-associated conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Ceramides may be key players in promoting an obesity-induced inflammatory environment due to their ability to activate key pathways such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and NLR pyrin domain containing receptor 3 (Nlrp3), while studies have shown that inhibition of ceramide synthesis gives rise to an anti-inflammatory environment. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) have been of interest due to their anti-inflammatory actions and shown to have beneficial effects in obesity-related diseases. This review will highlight the impact of ceramides in promoting an obesity-induced inflammatory microenvironment and discuss how n-3 PUFA could potentially counteract these responses and have a regulatory effect promoting immune homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salih Kucuk
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jennifer Niven
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jorge Caamano
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Simon W Jones
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Dolores Camacho-Muñoz
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Biology, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Anna Nicolaou
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Biology, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Claudio Mauro
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
McGurk KA, Keavney BD, Nicolaou A. Circulating ceramides as biomarkers of cardiovascular disease: Evidence from phenotypic and genomic studies. Atherosclerosis 2021; 327:18-30. [PMID: 34004484 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
There is a need for new biomarkers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD), the main cause of death globally. Ceramides, a class of potent bioactive lipid mediators, have signalling roles in apoptosis, cellular stress and inflammation. Recent studies have highlighted circulating ceramides as novel biomarkers of coronary artery disease, type-2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Ceramides are highly regulated by enzymatic reactions throughout the body in terms of their activity and metabolism, including production, degradation and transport. The genetic studies that have been completed to date on the main ceramide species found in circulation are described, highlighting the importance of DNA variants in genes involved in ceramide biosynthesis as key influencers of heritable, circulating ceramide levels. We also review studies of disease associations with ceramides and discuss mechanistic insights deriving from recent genomic studies. The signalling activities of ceramides in vascular inflammation and apoptosis, associations between circulating ceramides and coronary artery disease risk, type-2 diabetes and insulin resistance, and the potential importance of ceramides with regard to ACVD risk factors, such as blood pressure, lipoproteins and lifestyle factors, are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A McGurk
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, UK; Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Research, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Bernard D Keavney
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, UK; Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Anna Nicolaou
- Laboratory for Lipidomics and Lipid Research, Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, UK; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Voelkel-Johnson C. Sphingolipids in embryonic development, cell cycle regulation, and stemness - Implications for polyploidy in tumors. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 81:206-219. [PMID: 33429049 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The aberrant biology of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCC) includes dysregulation of the cell cycle, induction of stress responses, and dedifferentiation, all of which are likely accompanied by adaptations in biophysical properties and metabolic activity. Sphingolipids are the second largest class of membrane lipids and play important roles in many aspects of cell biology that are potentially relevant to polyploidy. We have recently shown that the function of the sphingolipid enzyme acid ceramidase (ASAH1) is critical for the ability of PGCC to generate progeny by depolyploidization but mechanisms by which sphingolipids contribute to polyploidy and generation of offspring with stem-like properties remain elusive. This review discusses the role of sphingolipids during embryonic development, cell cycle regulation, and stem cells in an effort to highlight parallels to polyploidy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Voelkel-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Roszczyc-Owsiejczuk K, Zabielski P. Sphingolipids as a Culprit of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:635175. [PMID: 33815291 PMCID: PMC8013882 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.635175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin resistance is defined as a complex pathological condition of abnormal cellular and metabolic response to insulin. Obesity and consumption of high-fat diet lead to ectopic accumulation of bioactive lipids in insulin-sensitive tissues. Intracellular lipid accumulation is regarded as one of the major factors in the induction of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2D). A significant number of studies have described the involvement of ceramides and other sphingolipids in the inhibition of insulin-signaling pathway in both skeletal muscles and the liver. Adverse effects of sphingolipid accumulation have recently been linked to the activation of protein kinase Cζ (PKCζ) and protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which, in turn, negatively affect phosphorylation of serine/threonine kinase Akt [also known as protein kinase B (PKB)], leading to decreased glucose uptake in skeletal muscles as well as increased gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the liver. Sphingolipids, in addition to their direct impact on the insulin signaling pathway, may be responsible for other negative aspects of diabetes, namely mitochondrial dysfunction and deficiency. Mitochondrial health, which is characterized by appropriate mitochondrial quantity, oxidative capacity, controlled oxidative stress, undisturbed respiratory chain function, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and mitochondrial proliferation through fission and fusion, is impaired in the skeletal muscles and liver of T2D subjects. Recent findings suggest that impaired mitochondrial function may play a key role in the development of insulin resistance. Mitochondria stay in contact with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi membranes and mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM) that are the main places of sphingolipid synthesis. Moreover, mitochondria are capable of synthesizing ceramide though ceramide synthase (CerS) activity. Recently, ceramides have been demonstrated to negatively affect mitochondrial respiratory chain function and fission/fusion activity, which is also a hallmark of T2D. Despite a significant correlation between sphingolipids, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance and T2D, this subject has not received much attention compared to the direct effect of sphingolipids on the insulin signaling pathway. In this review, we focus on the current state of scientific knowledge regarding the involvement of sphingolipids in the induction of insulin resistance by inhibiting mitochondrial function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Roszczyc-Owsiejczuk
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Piotr Zabielski
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
- *Correspondence: Piotr Zabielski,
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Mah M, Febbraio M, Turpin-Nolan S. Circulating Ceramides- Are Origins Important for Sphingolipid Biomarkers and Treatments? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:684448. [PMID: 34385976 PMCID: PMC8353232 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.684448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers are important tools for describing the adequacy or inadequacy of biological processes (to allow for the early and accurate diagnosis) and monitoring the biological effects of intervention strategies (to identify and develop optimal dose and treatment strategies). A number of lipid biomarkers are implicated in metabolic disease and the circulating levels of these biomarkers are used in clinical settings to predict and monitor disease severity. There is convincing evidence that specific circulating ceramide species can be used as biological predictors and markers of cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here, we review the existing literature that investigated sphingolipids as biomarkers for metabolic disease prediction. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Are circulating ceramides predominantly produced in the liver? Will hepatic sphingolipid inhibitors be able to completely prevent and treat metabolic disease? As sphingolipids are being employed as biomarkers and potential metabolic disease treatments, we explore what is currently known and what still needs to be discovered.
Collapse
|
40
|
Javaheri A, Allegood JC, Cowart LA, Chirinos JA. Circulating Ceramide 16:0 in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. J Am Coll Cardiol 2020; 75:2273-2275. [PMID: 32354389 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
41
|
Abstract
The global prevalence of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, steatohepatitis, myocardial infarction, and stroke has increased dramatically over the past two decades. These obesity-fueled disorders result, in part, from the aberrant accumulation of harmful lipid metabolites in tissues not suited for lipid storage (e.g., the liver, vasculature, heart, and pancreatic beta-cells). Among the numerous lipid subtypes that accumulate, sphingolipids such as ceramides are particularly impactful, as they elicit the selective insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and ultimately cell death that underlie nearly all metabolic disorders. This review summarizes recent findings on the regulatory pathways controlling ceramide production, the molecular mechanisms linking the lipids to these discrete pathogenic events, and exciting attempts to develop therapeutics to reduce ceramide levels to combat metabolic disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bhagirath Chaurasia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA;
| | - Scott A Summers
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology and the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Velázquez AM, Roglans N, Bentanachs R, Gené M, Sala-Vila A, Lázaro I, Rodríguez-Morató J, Sánchez RM, Laguna JC, Alegret M. Effects of a Low Dose of Caffeine Alone or as Part of a Green Coffee Extract, in a Rat Dietary Model of Lean Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease without Inflammation. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12113240. [PMID: 33113993 PMCID: PMC7690747 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a highly prevalent condition without specific pharmacological treatment, characterized in the initial stages by hepatic steatosis. It was suggested that lipid infiltration in the liver might be reduced by caffeine through anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and fatty acid metabolism-related mechanisms. We investigated the effects of caffeine (CAF) and green coffee extract (GCE) on hepatic lipids in lean female rats with steatosis. For three months, female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a standard diet or a cocoa butter-based high-fat diet plus 10% liquid fructose. In the last month, the high-fat diet was supplemented or not with CAF or a GCE, providing 5 mg/kg of CAF. Plasma lipid levels and the hepatic expression of molecules involved in lipid metabolism were determined. Lipidomic analysis was performed in liver samples. The diet caused hepatic steatosis without obesity, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, or hepatic insulin resistance. Neither CAF nor GCE alleviated hepatic steatosis, but GCE-treated rats showed lower hepatic triglyceride levels compared to the CAF group. The GCE effects could be related to reductions of hepatic (i) mTOR phosphorylation, leading to higher nuclear lipin-1 levels and limiting lipogenic gene expression; (ii) diacylglycerol levels; (iii) hexosylceramide/ceramide ratios; and (iv) very-low-density lipoprotein receptor expression. In conclusion, a low dose of CAF did not reduce hepatic steatosis in lean female rats, but the same dose provided as a green coffee extract led to lower liver triglyceride levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Magdalena Velázquez
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.V.); (N.R.); (R.B.); (M.G.); (R.M.S.)
| | - Núria Roglans
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.V.); (N.R.); (R.B.); (M.G.); (R.M.S.)
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Roger Bentanachs
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.V.); (N.R.); (R.B.); (M.G.); (R.M.S.)
| | - Maria Gené
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.V.); (N.R.); (R.B.); (M.G.); (R.M.S.)
| | - Aleix Sala-Vila
- IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.S.-V.); (I.L.)
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center, Pasqual Maragall Foundation, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Iolanda Lázaro
- IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.S.-V.); (I.L.)
| | - Jose Rodríguez-Morató
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; (A.S.-V.); (I.L.)
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra (CEXS-UPF), 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rosa María Sánchez
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.V.); (N.R.); (R.B.); (M.G.); (R.M.S.)
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Juan Carlos Laguna
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.V.); (N.R.); (R.B.); (M.G.); (R.M.S.)
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: (J.C.L.); (M.A.); Tel.: +34-93-4024531 (M.A.)
| | - Marta Alegret
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Avda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (A.M.V.); (N.R.); (R.B.); (M.G.); (R.M.S.)
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: (J.C.L.); (M.A.); Tel.: +34-93-4024531 (M.A.)
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Keppley LJW, Walker SJ, Gademsey AN, Smith JP, Keller SR, Kester M, Fox TE. Nervonic acid limits weight gain in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. FASEB J 2020; 34:15314-15326. [PMID: 32959931 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000525r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Lipid perturbations contribute to detrimental outcomes in obesity. We previously demonstrated that nervonic acid, a C24:1 ω-9 fatty acid, predominantly acylated to sphingolipids, including ceramides, are selectively reduced in a mouse model of obesity. It is currently unknown if deficiency of nervonic acid-sphingolipid metabolites contribute to complications of obesity. Mice were fed a standard diet, a high fat diet, or these diets supplemented isocalorically with nervonic acid. The primary objective was to determine if dietary nervonic acid content alters the metabolic phenotype in mice fed a high fat diet. Furthermore, we investigated if nervonic acid alters markers of impaired fatty acid oxidation in the liver. We observed that a nervonic acid-enriched isocaloric diet reduced weight gain and adiposity in mice fed a high fat diet. The nervonic acid enrichment led to increased C24:1-ceramides and improved several metabolic parameters including blood glucose levels, and insulin and glucose tolerance. Mechanistically, nervonic acid supplementation increased PPARα and PGC1α expression and improved the acylcarnitine profile in liver. These alterations indicate improved energy metabolism through increased β-oxidation of fatty acids. Taken together, increasing dietary nervonic acid improves metabolic parameters in mice fed a high fat diet. Strategies that prevent deficiency of, or restore, nervonic acid may represent an effective strategy to treat obesity and obesity-related complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura J W Keppley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Susan J Walker
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Alexis N Gademsey
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Jason P Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Susanna R Keller
- Medicine: Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Todd E Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Lair B, Laurens C, Van Den Bosch B, Moro C. Novel Insights and Mechanisms of Lipotoxicity-Driven Insulin Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6358. [PMID: 32887221 PMCID: PMC7504171 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21176358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A large number of studies reported an association between elevated circulating and tissue lipid content and metabolic disorders in obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and aging. This state of uncontrolled tissue lipid accumulation has been called lipotoxicity. It was later shown that excess lipid flux is mainly neutralized within lipid droplets as triglycerides, while several bioactive lipid species such as diacylglycerols (DAGs), ceramides and their derivatives have been mechanistically linked to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR) by antagonizing insulin signaling and action in metabolic organs such as the liver and skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle and the liver are the main sites of glucose disposal in the body and IR in these tissues plays a pivotal role in the development of T2D. In this review, we critically examine recent literature supporting a causal role of DAGs and ceramides in the development of IR. A particular emphasis is placed on transgenic mouse models with modulation of total DAG and ceramide pools, as well as on modulation of specific subspecies, in relation to insulin sensitivity. Collectively, although a wide number of studies converge towards the conclusion that both DAGs and ceramides cause IR in metabolic organs, there are still some uncertainties on their mechanisms of action. Recent studies reveal that subcellular localization and acyl chain composition are determinants in the biological activity of these lipotoxic lipids and should be further examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lair
- INSERM, UMR1048, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, 31432 Toulouse, France; (B.L.); (C.L.); (B.V.D.B.)
- University of Toulouse, Paul Sabatier University, 31330 Toulouse, France
| | - Claire Laurens
- INSERM, UMR1048, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, 31432 Toulouse, France; (B.L.); (C.L.); (B.V.D.B.)
- University of Toulouse, Paul Sabatier University, 31330 Toulouse, France
| | - Bram Van Den Bosch
- INSERM, UMR1048, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, 31432 Toulouse, France; (B.L.); (C.L.); (B.V.D.B.)
- University of Toulouse, Paul Sabatier University, 31330 Toulouse, France
| | - Cedric Moro
- INSERM, UMR1048, Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases, 31432 Toulouse, France; (B.L.); (C.L.); (B.V.D.B.)
- University of Toulouse, Paul Sabatier University, 31330 Toulouse, France
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Raichur S. Ceramide Synthases Are Attractive Drug Targets for Treating Metabolic Diseases. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:483. [PMID: 32849276 PMCID: PMC7403459 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceramide synthases (CerS) are central enzymes required for the de-novo synthesis of ceramides and other sphingolipids. They catalyze the addition of different acyl-chains to a sphingoid base, and thus account for much of the rich diversity in the sphingolipid family. Recent studies have demonstrated that the acyl-chain is an important determinant of ceramide function, such that a small subset of ceramides (e.g., those containing the C16 or C18 acyl-chain) alter metabolism by inhibiting insulin signaling or inducing mitochondrial fragmentation. Herein I discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting certain ceramide synthase isoforms for the treatment of obesity, insulin resistance, steatohepatitis, and other metabolic disorders.
Collapse
|
46
|
Abstract
Adipose tissue is a key nutrient-sensing depot that regulates excess energy storage and consumption. Adipocytes, the key components of the adipose tissue, have unique ability to store excess energy in the form of triglycerides, sense systemic energy demands, and secrete factors (lipids, peptides, cytokines, and adipokines) to regulate other metabolic tissues. The presence of various types of adipocytes (white, brown, and beige) characterized by the number/size of lipid droplets, mitochondrial density, and thermogenic capacity, further highlights how intricate is the communication of these cell-types with other metabolic tissues to sense nutrients. In obesity the inherent capacity of adipose tissue to store and sense nutrients is compromised, causing spillover of the intermediate lipid metabolites into circulation and resulting in their ectopic deposition in tissues not suitable for lipid storage, a phenomenon known as lipotoxicity. This results in a spectrum of cellular dysfunction, that underlies various metabolic diseases. Of the numerous lipid classes implicated in eliciting lipotoxicity, sphingolipid: ceramides are among the most deleterious as they modulate signaling pathways involved in regulating glucose metabolism, triglyceride synthesis, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Notably, recent experimental studies have strongly implicated ceramides in the development of numerous metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiomyopathy, hepatic-steatosis, and atherosclerosis. Herein we discuss and summarizes recent findings that implicate ceramides as a key contributor to adipocyte dysfunction underlying metabolic diseases and how depletion of ceramides can be exploited to improve metabolic health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Li
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, The Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Chad Lamar Talbot
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, The Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Bhagirath Chaurasia
- Department of Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, The Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Park WJ, Song JH, Kim GT, Park TS. Ceramide and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in Liver Diseases. Mol Cells 2020; 43:419-430. [PMID: 32392908 PMCID: PMC7264474 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2020.0054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver is an important organ in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. It is responsible for systemic energy homeostasis. When energy need exceeds the storage capacity in the liver, fatty acids are shunted into nonoxidative sphingolipid biosynthesis, which increases the level of cellular ceramides. Accumulation of ceramides alters substrate utilization from glucose to lipids, activates triglyceride storage, and results in the development of both insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis, increasing the likelihood of major metabolic diseases. Another sphingolipid metabolite, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive signaling molecule that acts via S1P-specific G protein coupled receptors. It regulates many cellular and physiological events. Since an increase in plasma S1P is associated with obesity, it seems reasonable that recent studies have provided evidence that S1P is linked to lipid pathophysiology, including hepatosteatosis and fibrosis. Herein, we review recent findings on ceramides and S1P in obesity-mediated liver diseases and the therapeutic potential of these sphingolipid metabolites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Jae Park
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 2999, Korea
| | - Jae-Hwi Song
- Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam 1310, Korea
| | - Goon-Tae Kim
- Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam 1310, Korea
| | - Tae-Sik Park
- Department of Life Science, Gachon University, Seongnam 1310, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Turpin-Nolan SM, Brüning JC. The role of ceramides in metabolic disorders: when size and localization matters. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2020; 16:224-233. [PMID: 32060415 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-020-0320-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Ceramide accumulation is a hallmark in the manifestation of numerous obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. Until the early 2000s, ceramides were viewed as a homogenous class of sphingolipids. However, it has now become clear that ceramides exert fundamentally different effects depending on the specific fatty acyl chain lengths, which are integrated into ceramides by a group of enzymes known as dihydroceramide synthases. In addition, alterations in ceramide synthesis, trafficking and metabolism in specific cellular compartments exert distinct consequences on metabolic homeostasis. Here, we examine the emerging concept of how the intracellular localization of ceramides with distinct acyl chain lengths can regulate glucose metabolism, thus emphasizing their potential as targets in the development of novel and specific therapies for obesity and obesity-associated diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Turpin-Nolan
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Köln, Germany
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), Köln, Germany
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Köln, Germany.
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging Associated Diseases (CECAD), Köln, Germany.
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Köln, Germany.
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Köln, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Hammerschmidt P, Ostkotte D, Nolte H, Gerl MJ, Jais A, Brunner HL, Sprenger HG, Awazawa M, Nicholls HT, Turpin-Nolan SM, Langer T, Krüger M, Brügger B, Brüning JC. CerS6-Derived Sphingolipids Interact with Mff and Promote Mitochondrial Fragmentation in Obesity. Cell 2020; 177:1536-1552.e23. [PMID: 31150623 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic lipid deposition and altered mitochondrial dynamics contribute to the development of obesity and insulin resistance. However, the mechanistic link between these processes remained unclear. Here we demonstrate that the C16:0 sphingolipid synthesizing ceramide synthases, CerS5 and CerS6, affect distinct sphingolipid pools and that abrogation of CerS6 but not of CerS5 protects from obesity and insulin resistance. We identify proteins that specifically interact with C16:0 sphingolipids derived from CerS5 or CerS6. Here, only CerS6-derived C16:0 sphingolipids bind the mitochondrial fission factor (Mff). CerS6 and Mff deficiency protect from fatty acid-induced mitochondrial fragmentation in vitro, and the two proteins genetically interact in vivo in obesity-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and development of insulin resistance. Our experiments reveal an unprecedented specificity of sphingolipid signaling depending on specific synthesizing enzymes, provide a mechanistic link between hepatic lipid deposition and mitochondrial fragmentation in obesity, and define the CerS6-derived sphingolipid/Mff interaction as a therapeutic target for metabolic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Hammerschmidt
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne
| | - Daniela Ostkotte
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Nolte
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne; Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Mathias J Gerl
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Current address: Lipotype GmbH, Tatzberg 47, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Jais
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne
| | - Hanna L Brunner
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Sprenger
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne; Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Motoharu Awazawa
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne
| | - Hayley T Nicholls
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne
| | - Sarah M Turpin-Nolan
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne
| | - Thomas Langer
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne; Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9B, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne
| | - Britta Brügger
- Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Department of Neuronal Control of Metabolism, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleueler Strasse 50, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Preventive Medicine (CEDP), University Hospital Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 26, 50924 Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne; National Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstrasse 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Iessi E, Marconi M, Manganelli V, Sorice M, Malorni W, Garofalo T, Matarrese P. On the role of sphingolipids in cell survival and death. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 351:149-195. [PMID: 32247579 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Sphingolipids, universal components of biological membranes of all eukaryotic organisms, from yeasts to mammals, in addition of playing a structural role, also play an important part of signal transduction pathways. They participate or, also, ignite several fundamental subcellular signaling processes but, more in general, they directly contribute to key biological activities such as cell motility, growth, senescence, differentiation as well as cell fate, i.e., survival or death. The sphingolipid metabolic pathway displays an intricate network of reactions that result in the formation of multiple sphingolipids, including ceramide, and sphingosine-1-phosphate. Different sphingolipids, that have key roles in determining cell fate, can induce opposite effects: as a general rule, sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes cell survival and differentiation, whereas ceramide is known to induce apoptosis. Furthermore, together with cholesterol, sphingolipids also represent the basic lipid component of lipid rafts, cholesterol- and sphingolipid-enriched membrane microdomains directly involved in cell death and survival processes. In this review, we briefly describe the characteristics of sphingolipids and lipid membrane microdomains. In particular, we will consider the involvement of various sphingolipids per se and of lipid rafts in apoptotic pathway, both intrinsic and extrinsic, in nonapoptotic cell death, in autophagy, and in cell differentiation. In addition, their roles in the most common physiological and pathological contexts either as pathogenetic elements or as biomarkers of diseases will be considered. We would also hint how the manipulation of sphingolipid metabolism could represent a potential therapeutic target to be investigated and functionally validated especially for those diseases for which therapeutic options are limited or ineffective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Iessi
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Oncology Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Marconi
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Oncology Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Sorice
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Malorni
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Oncology Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Tina Garofalo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Matarrese
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Oncology Unit, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|