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Sudhadevi T, Ackerman SJ, Jafri A, Basa P, Ha AW, Natarajan V, Harijith A. Sphingosine kinase 1-specific inhibitor PF543 reduces goblet cell metaplasia of bronchial epithelium in an acute asthma model. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L377-L392. [PMID: 38290992 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00269.2023] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) has been shown to play a key role in the pathogenesis of asthma where SPHK1-generated sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is known to mediate innate and adaptive immunity while promoting mast cell degranulation. Goblet cell metaplasia (GCM) contributes to airway obstruction in asthma and has been demonstrated in animal models. We investigated the role of PF543, a SPHK1-specific inhibitor, in preventing the pathogenesis of GCM using a murine (C57BL/6) model of allergen-induced acute asthma. Treatment with PF543 before triple allergen exposure (DRA: House dust mite, Ragweed pollen, and Aspergillus) reduced inflammation, eosinophilic response, and GCM followed by reduced airway hyperreactivity to intravenous methacholine. Furthermore, DRA exposure was associated with increased expression of SPHK1 in the airway epithelium which was reduced by PF543. DRA-induced reduction of acetylated α-tubulin in airway epithelium was associated with an increased expression of NOTCH2 and SPDEF which was prevented by PF543. In vitro studies using human primary airway epithelial cells showed that inhibition of SPHK1 using PF543 prevented an allergen-induced increase of both NOTCH2 and SPDEF. siRNA silencing of SPHK1 prevented the allergen-induced increase of both NOTCH2 and SPDEF. NOTCH2 silencing was associated with a reduction of SPDEF but not that of SPHK1 upon allergen exposure. Our studies demonstrate that inhibition of SPHK1 protected allergen-challenged airways by preventing GCM and airway hyperreactivity, associated with downregulation of the NOTCH2-SPDEF signaling pathway. This suggests a potential novel link between SPHK1, GCM, and airway remodeling in asthma.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The role of SPHK1-specific inhibitor, PF543, in preventing goblet cell metaplasia (GCM) and airway hyperreactivity (AHR) is established in an allergen-induced mouse model. This protection was associated with the downregulation of NOTCH2-SPDEF signaling pathway, suggesting a novel link between SPHK1, GCM, and AHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Sudhadevi
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Steven J Ackerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Anjum Jafri
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Prathima Basa
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Alison W Ha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Viswanathan Natarajan
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Anantha Harijith
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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Li S, Xue X, Zhang H, Jiang L, Zhang Y, Zhu X, Wang Y. Inhibition of sphingosine kinase 1 attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury by suppressing endothelial cell pyroptosis. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 390:110868. [PMID: 38218310 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a frequent complication of sepsis, with pyroptosis playing a pivotal role. Analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) mouse sepsis datasets revealed the upregulation of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) in septic mouse lung tissues, which was validated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential role and underlying mechanisms of SphK1, the primary kinase responsible for catalyzing the formation of the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphat, in sepsis development. Mice received an intraperitoneal injection of SphK1 inhibitor prior to LPS administration. Mouse lung vascular endothelial cells (MLVECs) were exposed to LPS and SphK1 inhibitor. The SphK1 inhibitor mitigated ALI, as evidenced by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and the wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio and reduced Evans blue dye leakage. Furthermore, the SphK1 inhibitor inhibited the activation of the NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome and the subsequent induction of pyroptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) combined with mass spectrometry, our findings revealed that SphK1 associates with pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), facilitating PKM2 phosphorylation and its nuclear translocation. TEPP-46, which has the ability to stabilize PKM2 and inhibit the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of PKM2, markedly reduced the expression of pyroptosis-associated markers and alleviated lung injury. Concludingly, our results suggest that targeting SphK1 is a promising therapeutic strategy for ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyuan Li
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaomei Xue
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lai Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yunqian Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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Sasaki M, Hara T, Wang JX, Zhou Y, Kennedy KV, Umeweni CN, Alston MA, Spergel ZC, Ishikawa S, Teranishi R, Nakagawa R, Mcmillan EA, Whelan KA, Karakasheva TA, Hamilton KE, Ruffner MA, Muir AB. Lysyl Oxidase Regulates Epithelial Differentiation and Barrier Integrity in Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 17:923-937. [PMID: 38340809 PMCID: PMC11026689 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2024.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Epithelial disruption in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) encompasses both impaired differentiation and diminished barrier integrity. We have shown that lysyl oxidase (LOX), a collagen cross-linking enzyme, is up-regulated in the esophageal epithelium in EoE. However, the functional roles of LOX in the esophageal epithelium remains unknown. METHODS We investigated roles for LOX in the human esophageal epithelium using 3-dimensional organoid and air-liquid interface cultures stimulated with interleukin (IL)13 to recapitulate the EoE inflammatory milieu, followed by single-cell RNA sequencing, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, histology, and functional analyses of barrier integrity. RESULTS Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis on patient-derived organoids revealed that LOX was induced by IL13 in differentiated cells. LOX-overexpressing organoids showed suppressed basal and up-regulated differentiation markers. In addition, LOX overexpression enhanced junctional protein genes and transepithelial electrical resistance. LOX overexpression restored the impaired differentiation and barrier function, including in the setting of IL13 stimulation. Transcriptome analyses on LOX-overexpressing organoids identified an enriched bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway compared with wild-type organoids. In particular, LOX overexpression increased BMP2 and decreased the BMP antagonist follistatin. Finally, we found that BMP2 treatment restored the balance of basal and differentiated cells. CONCLUSIONS Our data support a model whereby LOX exhibits noncanonical roles as a signaling molecule important for epithelial homeostasis in the setting of inflammation via activation of the BMP pathway in the esophagus. The LOX/BMP axis may be integral in esophageal epithelial differentiation and a promising target for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Sasaki
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Takeo Hara
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Joshua X Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Yusen Zhou
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kanak V Kennedy
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Chizoba N Umeweni
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maiya A Alston
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Zachary C Spergel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Satoshi Ishikawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ryugo Teranishi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ritsu Nakagawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Emily A Mcmillan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kelly A Whelan
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tatiana A Karakasheva
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kathryn E Hamilton
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Melanie A Ruffner
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Division of Allergy and Immunology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Amanda B Muir
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Zhao L, Wang Z, Xu Y, Zhang P, Qiu J, Nie D, Wu G, Chen C, Chang Y, Xia Q. Sphingosine kinase 1 regulates lipid metabolism to promote progression of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154641. [PMID: 37467634 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To detect the expression of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and explore its biological role in the occurrence and development of ccRCC through regulation of fatty acid metabolism. METHODS Using the Cancer Genome Atlas database, SPHK1 expression and its clinical significance were detected in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect SPHK1 expression in RCC samples in our hospital. The connection between the SPHK1 levels and clinicopathological features of patients was assessed. Nile Red was used to detect fatty acids in cells. Cell Counting Kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays were performed to determine the effect of SPHK1 on renal cell viability and proliferation, respectively. Additionally, the effects of SPHK1 on the proliferation and metastasis of ccRCC were studied using wound healing and Transwell assays. Fatty acids were added exogenously in recovery experiments and western blotting was performed to determine the effect of SPHK1 on fatty acid metabolism in ccRCC. Finally, the effects of SPHK1 on tumor growth were investigated in a xenograft model. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis revealed that SPHK1 expression was upregulated in kidney RCC. OverSPHK1 expression was associated with poor prognosis for ccRCC patients. High SPHK1 expression was detected in human ccRCC. SPHK1 expression was related to clinicopathological features, such as tumor size and Furman grade. Additionally, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were inhibited in ccRCC cells with low SPHK1 expression. In rescue experiments, proliferation, migration, and invasion were restored. In vivo, reduced SPHK1 levels correlated with lower expression of fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, and acetyl CoA carboxylase, and slowed tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS SPHK1 is abnormally overexpressed in human ccRCC. Patients with ccRCC may benefit from treatments that target SPHK1, which may also serve as a prognostic indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leizuo Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China; Department of Urology, Dongying People's Hospital, Dongying 257000, China
| | - Zicheng Wang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China; Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250117, China
| | - Yingkun Xu
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Peizhi Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China
| | - Jiechuan Qiu
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
| | - Dengke Nie
- Department of Chest Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China
| | - Guangzhen Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116011, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Urology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Shandong University 252000, China
| | - Yao Chang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250021, China
| | - Qinghua Xia
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250021, China.
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Yi X, Tang X, Li T, Chen L, He H, Wu X, Xiang C, Cao M, Wang Z, Wang Y, Wang Y, Huang X. Therapeutic potential of the sphingosine kinase 1 inhibitor, PF-543. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 163:114401. [PMID: 37167721 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
PF-543 is a sphingosine kinase 1(SPHK1)inhibitor developed by Pfizer and is currently considered the most potent selective SPHK1 inhibitor. SPHK1 catalyses the production of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) from sphingosine. It is the rate-limiting enzyme of S1P production, and there is substantial evidence to support a very important role for sphingosine kinase in health and disease. This review is the first to summarize the role and mechanisms of PF-543 as an SPHK1 inhibitor in anticancer, antifibrotic, and anti-inflammatory processes, providing new therapeutic leads and ideas for future research and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueliang Yi
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Xuemei Tang
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianlong Li
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lin Chen
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Hongli He
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wu
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunlin Xiang
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Cao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongda Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zixiang Wang
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China.
| | - Yiping Wang
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China.
| | - Xiaobo Huang
- Department of ICU, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China; University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, China.
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Thomas JM, Sudhadevi T, Basa P, Ha AW, Natarajan V, Harijith A. The Role of Sphingolipid Signaling in Oxidative Lung Injury and Pathogenesis of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031254. [PMID: 35163176 PMCID: PMC8835774 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Premature infants are born with developing lungs burdened by surfactant deficiency and a dearth of antioxidant defense systems. Survival rate of such infants has significantly improved due to advances in care involving mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation. However, a significant subset of such survivors develops the chronic lung disease, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), characterized by enlarged, simplified alveoli and deformed airways. Among a host of factors contributing to the pathogenesis is oxidative damage induced by exposure of the developing lungs to hyperoxia. Recent data indicate that hyperoxia induces aberrant sphingolipid signaling, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (ROS). The role of sphingolipids such as ceramides and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), in the development of BPD emerged in the last decade. Both ceramide and S1P are elevated in tracheal aspirates of premature infants of <32 weeks gestational age developing BPD. This was faithfully reflected in the murine models of hyperoxia and BPD, where there is an increased expression of sphingolipid metabolites both in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage. Treatment of neonatal pups with a sphingosine kinase1 specific inhibitor, PF543, resulted in protection against BPD as neonates, accompanied by improved lung function and reduced airway remodeling as adults. This was accompanied by reduced mitochondrial ROS formation. S1P receptor1 induced by hyperoxia also aggravates BPD, revealing another potential druggable target in this pathway for BPD. In this review we aim to provide a detailed description on the role played by sphingolipid signaling in hyperoxia induced lung injury and BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaya M. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
| | - Tara Sudhadevi
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
| | - Prathima Basa
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
| | - Alison W. Ha
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Viswanathan Natarajan
- Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA;
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Anantha Harijith
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (J.M.T.); (T.S.); (P.B.); (A.W.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(216)-286-7038
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Abstract
An overview of Prof. Viswanathan Natarajan's journey in academia as a mentor, teacher, and lipid scientist for nearly 50 years is presented. As a graduate student, Dr. Natarajan interrogated biosynthesis and catabolism of phospholipids in the developing brain; however, in the last five decades, he has been investigating the role of sphingolipids and sphingolipid-metabolizing enzymes in pulmonary endothelial cells, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts under normal conditions and during various lung pathologies such as sepsis, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and lung cancer. His recent work on sphingosine-1-phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid metabolism in pre-clinical animal models has identified small molecule inhibitors in the signaling pathways that could have therapeutic potential in ameliorating pulmonary fibrosis, hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Future research in bioactive lipids in combination with OMICS should unravel the importance of various lipid mediators as modulators of cell function under normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viswanathan Natarajan
- Departments of Pharmacology & Regenerative Medicine and Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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