Sphingosine 1-phosphate as an intracellular messenger and extracellular mediator in immunity

How do sphingosine-1-phosphate affect immune cells to resolve inflammation?

Inflammation is an important immune response of the body. It is a physiological process of self-repair and defense against pathogens taken up by biological tissues when stimulated by damage factors such as trauma and infection. Inflammation is the main cause of high morbidity and mortality in most diseases and is the physiological basis of the disease. Targeted therapeutic strategies can achieve efficient toxicity clearance at the inflammatory site, reduce complications, and reduce mortality. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid signaling molecule, is involved in immune cell transport by binding to S1P receptors (S1PRs). It plays a key role in innate and adaptive immune responses and is closely related to inflammation. In homeostasis, lymphocytes follow an S1P concentration gradient from the tissues into circulation. One widely accepted mechanism is that during the inflammatory immune response, the S1P gradient is altered, and lymphocytes are blocked from entering the circulation and are, therefore, unable to reach the inflammatory site. However, the full mechanism of its involvement in inflammation is not fully understood. This review focuses on bacterial and viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and immunological aspects of the Sphks/S1P/S1PRs signaling pathway, highlighting their role in promoting intradial-adaptive immune interactions. How S1P signaling is regulated in inflammation and how S1P shapes immune responses through immune cells are explained in detail. We teased apart the immune cell composition of S1P signaling and the critical role of S1P pathway modulators in the host inflammatory immune system. By understanding the role of S1P in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, we linked the genomic studies of S1P-targeted drugs in inflammatory diseases to provide a basis for targeted drug development.

Expansion of Hydra actinoporin-like toxin (HALT) gene family: Expression divergence and functional convergence evolved through gene duplication

Hydra actinoporin-like toxin 1 (HALT-1) was previously shown to cause cytolysis and haemolysis in a number of human cells and has similar functional properties to the actinoporins equinatoxin and sticholysin. In addition to HALT-1, five other HALTs (HALTs 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7) were also isolated from Hydra magnipapillata and expressed as recombinant proteins in this study. We demonstrated that recombinant HALTs have cytolytic activity on HeLa cells but each exhibited a different range of toxicity. All six recombinant HALTs bound to sulfatide, while rHALT-1 and rHALT-3 bound to two additional sphingolipids, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate as indicated by the protein-lipid overlay assay. When either tryptophan¹³³ or tyrosine¹²⁹ of HALT-1 was mutated, the mutant protein lost binding to sulfatide, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate. As further verification of HALTs' binding to sulfatide, we performed ELISA for each HALT. To determine the cell-type specific gene expression of seven HALTs in Hydra, we searched for individual HALT expression in the single-cell RNA-seq data set of Single Cell Portal. The results showed that HALT-1, 4 and 7 were expressed in differentiating stenoteles. HALT-1 and HALT-6 were expressed in the female germline during oogenesis. HALT-2 was strongly expressed in the gland and mucous cells in the endoderm. Information on HALT-3 and HALT-5 could not be found in the single-cell data set. Our findings show that subfunctionalisation of gene expression following duplication enabled HALTs to become specialized in various cell types of the interstitial cell lineage.

Modulation of the expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate 2 receptors regulates the differentiation of pre-adipocytes

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid mediator that regulates multiple signals through S1P receptors responsible for biological responses. In particular, the S1P2 receptor has distinct roles in the S1P‑mediated differentiation of certain cell types. The present study was the first, to the best of our knowledge, to report the role of the S1P2 receptor in the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3‑L1 pre‑adipocytes. In order to investigate the influence of S1P2 receptors in the anti‑adipogenic effects of S1P, S1P2 receptor silencing and overexpression of were used. S1P2 overexpression with adenoviral vectors inhibited adipogenesis and inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ (PPARγ), adiponectin and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein‑α, which were upregulated following incubation in differentiation media. Furthermore, S1P completely lost its ability to impair adipogenic differentiation following silencing of S1P2. Silencing of the S1P2 receptor additionally blocked the downregulation of PPARγ protein and phospho‑c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase protein induced by S1P treatment. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the S1P2 receptor is a key signaling molecule in the S1P‑dependent inhibition of adipogenic differentiation and additionally suggested that selective targeting of S1P2 receptors may have clinical applications for the treatment of obesity.

Increased levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate in cerebrospinal fluid of patients diagnosed with tick-borne encephalitis

Background

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a serious acute central nervous system infection that can result in death or long-term neurological dysfunctions. We hypothesize that changes in sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) concentration occur during TBE development.

Methods

S1P and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in blood plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured using HPLC and ELISA, respectively. The effects of S1P on cytoskeletal structure and IL-6 production were assessed using rat astrocyte primary cultures with and without addition of plasma gelsolin and the S1P receptor antagonist fingolimod phosphate (FTY720P).

Results

We report that acute inflammation due to TBE virus infection is associated with elevated levels of S1P and IL-6 in the CSF of infected patients. This elevated concentration is observed even at the earliest neurologic stage of disease, and may be controlled by glucocorticosteroid anti-inflammatory treatment, administered to patients unresponsive to antipyretic drugs and who suffer from a fever above 39°C. In vitro, treatment of confluent rat astrocyte monolayers with a high concentration of S1P (5 μM) results in cytoskeletal actin remodeling that can be prevented by the addition of recombinant plasma gelsolin, FTY720P, or their combination. Additionally, gelsolin and FTY720P significantly decreased S1P-induced release of IL-6.

Conclusions

TBE is associated with increased concentration of S1P and IL-6 in CSF, and this increase might promote development of inflammation. The consequences of increased extracellular S1P can be modulated by gelsolin and FTY720P. Therefore, blocking the inflammatory response at sites of infection by agents modulating S1P pathways might aid in developing new strategies for TBE treatment.

Activation of S1P2 receptor, a possible mechanism of inhibition of adipogenic differentiation by sphingosine 1‑phosphate

Sphingosine 1‑phosphate (S1P) belongs to a significant group of signaling sphingolipids and exerts most of its activity as a ligand of G‑protein‑coupled receptors. In our previous study, S1P demonstrated a novel biological activity with the anti‑adipogenesis of 3T3‑L1 preadipocytes. In the present study, we identified a possible mechanism of S1P‑mediated anti‑adipogenic effects, particularly in target pathways of the S1P receptors, including S1P1 and S1P2. The mRNA levels of S1P1 and S1P2 receptors were increased by MDI media treatment, whereas S1P treatment highly induced S1P2 but not S1P1 receptor protein in adipocytes. Triglyceride accumulation assay using an agonist and antagonist of S1P receptors revealed that S1P2 receptor was only involved in S1P‑mediated anti‑adipogenic effects. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of S1P2 signals completely retrieved S1P‑mediated downregulation of the transcriptional levels of peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α and adiponectin, which are markers of adipogenic differentiation. This study demonstrated that S1P2 receptor signals may regulate the S1P‑mediated anti‑adipogenic differentiation and also identifies the S1P2 receptor as a possible mechanism of anti‑adipogenic differentiation.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate inhibits the adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a pluripotent lipid mediator that transmits signals through G-protein-coupled receptors to control diverse biological processes. The novel biological activity of S1P in the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was identified in the present study. S1P significantly decreased lipid accumulation in maturing preadipocytes in a dose‑dependent manner. In order to understand the anti‑adipogenic effects of S1P, preadipocytes were treated with S1P, and the change in the expression of several adipogenic transcription factors and enzymes was investigated using quantitative RT-PCR. S1P downregulated the transcriptional levels of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins and adiponectin, which are markers of adipogenic differentiation. The effects of S1P on the levels of mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signals in preadipocytes were also investigated. The activation of JNK and p38 were downregulated by S1P treatment in human preadipocytes. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that S1P alters fat mass by directly affecting adipogenesis. This is mediated by the downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors and by inactivation of the JNK and p38 MAPK pathways. Thus, selective targeting of the S1P receptors and sphingosine kinases may have clinical applications for the treatment of obesity.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate evokes unique segment-specific vasoconstriction of the renal microvasculature

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite, has been implicated in regulating vascular tone and participating in chronic and acute kidney injury. However, little is known about the role of S1P in the renal microcirculation. Here, we directly assessed the vasoresponsiveness of preglomerular and postglomerular microvascular segments to exogenous S1P using the in vitro blood-perfused juxtamedullary nephron preparation. Superfusion of S1P (0.001-10 μM) evoked concentration-dependent vasoconstriction in preglomerular microvessels, predominantly afferent arterioles. After administration of 10 μM S1P, the diameter of afferent arterioles decreased to 35%±5% of the control diameter, whereas the diameters of interlobular and arcuate arteries declined to 50%±12% and 68%±6% of the control diameter, respectively. Notably, efferent arterioles did not respond to S1P. The S1P receptor agonists FTY720 and FTY720-phosphate and the specific S1P1 receptor agonist SEW2871 each evoked modest afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction. Conversely, S1P2 receptor inhibition with JTE-013 significantly attenuated S1P-mediated afferent arteriolar vasoconstriction. Moreover, blockade of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels with diltiazem or nifedipine attenuated S1P-mediated vasoconstriction. Intravenous injection of S1P in anesthetized rats reduced renal blood flow dose dependently. Western blotting and immunofluorescence revealed S1P1 and S1P2 receptor expression in isolated preglomerular microvessels and microvascular smooth muscle cells. These data demonstrate that S1P evokes segmentally distinct preglomerular vasoconstriction via activation of S1P1 and/or S1P2 receptors, partially via L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels. Accordingly, S1P may have a novel function in regulating afferent arteriolar resistance under physiologic conditions.

Simultaneous determination of SYL-1119 and SYL-1119-P in rat plasma using HPLC coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

SYL-1119 is a sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 modulator for the treatment of autoimmune disease with better selectivity, while SYL-1119-P is its active phosphate. A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of SYL-1119 and SYL-1119-P in rat plasma. SYL-1110, an analogue of SYL-1119, was used as the internal standard. Plasma samples were prepared by protein precipitation using acetonitrile. The analytes and internal standard were separated on a Zorbax SB-C18 column (3.5μm, 100mm×2.1mm) with a gradient mobile phase consisting of methanol and water containing 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.2ml/min with an operating temperature of 20°C. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode of the transitions at m/z 364→259 for SYL-1119, m/z 444→259 for SYL-1119-P, and m/z 378→273 for the IS. Calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.2-50ng/ml for SYL-1119 and 10-1000ng/ml for SYL-1119-P. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.2ng/ml for SYL-1119 and 10ng/ml for SYL-1119-P. The intra- and inter-day precisions were 5.4-12.8% for two analytes with accuracies within ±10%. The recoveries for two compounds were 91.3-104.5%. The analytes were proved to be stable during all sample storage, preparation, and analytic procedures. The method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of SYL-1119 and SYL-1119-P in rats after oral administration of SYL-1119.

Dynamic Cross Talk between S1P and CXCL12 Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cells Migration, Development and Bone Remodeling

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are mostly retained in a quiescent non-motile mode in their bone marrow (BM) niches, shifting to a migratory cycling and differentiating state to replenish the blood with mature leukocytes on demand. The balance between the major chemo-attractants CXCL12, predominantly in the BM, and S1P, mainly in the blood, dynamically regulates HSC recruitment to the circulation versus their retention in the BM. During alarm situations, stress-signals induce a decrease in CXCL12 levels in the BM, while S1P levels are rapidly and transiently increased in the circulation, thus favoring mobilization of stem cells as part of host defense and repair mechanisms. Myeloid cytokines, including G-CSF, up-regulate S1P signaling in the BM via the PI3K pathway. Induced CXCL12 secretion from stromal cells via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and increased S1P₁ expression and ROS signaling in HSCs, all facilitate mobilization. Bone turnover is also modulated by both CXCL12 and S1P, regulating the dynamic BM stromal microenvironment, osteoclasts and stem cell niches which all functionally express CXCL12 and S1P receptors. Overall, CXCL12 and S1P levels in the BM and circulation are synchronized to mutually control HSC motility, leukocyte production and osteoclast/osteoblast bone turnover during homeostasis and stress situations.

An autocrine sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling loop enhances NF-kappaB-activation and survival

BACKGROUND

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lipid that regulates a multitude of cellular functions, including cell proliferation, survival, migration and angiogenesis. S1P mediates its effects either by signaling through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) or through an intracellular mode of action. In this study, we have investigated the mechanism behind S1P-induced survival signalling.

RESULTS

We found that S1P protected cells from FasL-induced cell death in an NF-kappaB dependent manner. NF-kappaB was activated by extracellular S1P via S1P2 receptors and Gi protein signaling. Our study also demonstrates that extracellular S1P stimulates cells to rapidly produce and secrete additional S1P, which can further amplify the NF-kappaB activation.

CONCLUSIONS

We propose a self-amplifying loop of autocrine S1P with capacity to enhance cell survival. The mechanism provides increased understanding of the multifaceted roles of S1P in regulating cell fate during normal development and carcinogenesis.

Sphingosine kinase as an oncogene: autocrine sphingosine 1-phosphate modulates ML-1 thyroid carcinoma cell migration by a mechanism dependent on protein kinase C-alpha and ERK1/2

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) induces migration of the human thyroid follicular carcinoma cell line ML-1 by activation of S1P(1) and S1P(3) receptors, G(i) proteins, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway. Because sphingosine kinase isoform 1 (SK) recently has been implicated as an oncogene in various cancer cell systems, we investigated the functions of SK in the migration, proliferation and adhesion of the ML-1 cell line. SK overexpressing ML-1 cells show an enhanced secretion of S1P, which can be attenuated, by inhibiting SK activity and a multidrug-resistant transport protein (ATP-binding cassette transporter). Furthermore, overexpression of SK enhances serum-induced migration of ML-1 cells, which can be attenuated by blocking ATP-binding cassette transporter and SK, suggesting that the migration is mediated by autocrine signaling through secretion of S1P. Inhibition of protein kinase C alpha, with both small interfering RNA (siRNA) and small molecular inhibitors attenuates migration in SK overexpressing cells. In addition, SK-overexpressing cells show an impaired adhesion, slower cell growth, and an up-regulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, as compared with cells expressing a dominant-negative SK. Taken together, we present evidence suggesting that SK enhances migration of ML-1 cells by an autocrine mechanism and that the S1P-evoked migration is dependent on protein kinase C alpha, ERK1/2, and SK.

Involvement of the ABC-transporter ABCC1 and the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype S1P(3) in the cytoprotection of human fibroblasts by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone

Glucocorticoids (GC) represent the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory skin diseases. However, the topical long-term therapy of GC is limited by the occurrence of skin atrophy. Most interestingly, although GC inhibit proliferation of human fibroblasts, they exert a pronounced anti-apoptopic action. In the present study, we further elucidated the molecular mechanism of the GC dexamethasone (Dex) to protect human fibroblasts from programmed cell death. Dex not only significantly alters the expression of the cytosolic isoenzyme sphingosine kinase 1 but also initiated an enhanced intracellular formation of the sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). Investigations using S1P (3) ((-/-)) -fibroblasts revealed that this S1P-receptor subtype is essential for the Dex-induced cytoprotection. Moreover, we demonstrate that the ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-transporter ABCC1 is upregulated by Dex and may represent a crucial carrier to transport S1P from the cytosol to the S1P(3)-receptor subtype.

Ceramidases: regulators of cellular responses mediated by ceramide, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate

Ceramidases catalyze hydrolysis of ceramides to generate sphingosine (SPH), which is phosphorylated to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). Ceramide, SPH, and S1P are bioactive lipids that mediate cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration. Presently, 5 human ceramidases encoded by 5 distinct genes have been cloned: acid ceramidase (AC), neutral ceramidase (NC), alkaline ceramidase 1 (ACER1), alkaline ceramidase 2 (ACER2), and alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3). Each human ceramidase has a mouse counterpart. AC, NC, and ACER1-3 have maximal activities in acidic, neutral, and alkaline environments, respectively. ACER1-3 have similar protein sequences but no homology to AC and NC. AC and NC also have distinct protein sequences. The human AC (hAC) was implicated in Farber disease, and hAC may be important for cell survival. The mouse AC (mAC) is needed for early embryo survival. NC is protective against inflammatory cytokines, and the mouse NC (mNC) is required for the catabolism of ceramides in the digestive tract. ACER1 is critical in mediating cell differentiation by controlling the generation of SPH and S1P and that ACER2's role in cell proliferation and survival depends on its expression or the cell type in which it is found. Here, we discuss the role of each ceramidase in regulating cellular responses mediated by ceramides, SPH, and S1P.

Gaucher disease: unmet treatment needs

Gaucher disease is a multisystemic metabolic disorder arising from a deficiency of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase. The predominant clinical manifestations of the disease are hepatosplenomegaly, peripheral blood cytopenias and skeletal disease. Treatment with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and substrate reduction therapy (SRT) has been shown to be effective in improving organ volume, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, bone markers and biomarkers in patients with Gaucher disease. However, some patient needs remain unmet because of the limited availability of treatment, the inaccessibility of certain disease sites and emerging disease manifestations. An increase in haematological, lymphoreticular and immune system malignancies has been observed in patients with Gaucher disease, but mechanisms underlying the development of these are not fully understood. Mild neurological manifestations may also affect patients with type 1 Gaucher disease, but treatment with ERT or SRT does not improve neurological function. Potential new treatments for Gaucher disease include small molecules, which may penetrate tissues that are not accessible by ERT.

CONCLUSION

ERT currently remains the most effective treatment for Gaucher disease. New treatments are emerging, but deficiencies in understanding basic pathophysiological mechanisms hinder progress.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate potentiates human lung fibroblast chemotaxis through the S1P2 receptor

Migration of fibroblasts plays an essential role in tissue repair after injury. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a multifunctional mediator released by many cells that can be released in inflammation and after injury. This study evaluated the effect of S1P on fibroblast chemotaxis toward fibronectin. S1P alone did not affect fibroblast migration, but S1P enhanced fibronectin-directed chemotaxis in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of S1P was not mimicked by dihydro (dh) S1P or the S1P(1) receptor agonist SEW2871. S1P augmentation of fibroblast chemotaxis, however, was completely blocked by JTE-013, an S1P(2) antagonist, but not by suramin, an S1P(3) antagonist. Suppression of the S1P(2) receptor by small interfering (si)RNA also completely blocked S1P augmentation of fibroblast chemotaxis to fibronectin. S1P stimulated Rho activation and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, and these were also significantly inhibited by the S1P(2) receptor antagonist (JTE-013) or by S1P(2) siRNA. Further, the potentiation of S1P signaling was blocked by the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 in a concentration-dependent manner. Inhibition of FAK with siRNA reduced basal chemotaxis toward fibronectin slightly but significantly, and almost completely blocked S1P augmented chemotaxis. These results suggest that S1P-augmented fibroblast chemotaxis toward fibronectin depends on the S1P(2) receptor and requires Rho and Rho-kinase, and FAK phosphorylation. By augmenting fibroblast recruitment, S1P has the potential to modulate tissue repair after injury. The pathways by which S1P mediates this effect, therefore, represent a potential therapeutic target to affect tissue repair and remodeling.