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Ung J, Kassai M, Tan SF, Loughran TP, Feith DJ, Cabot MC. The Drug Transporter P-Glycoprotein and Its Impact on Ceramide Metabolism-An Unconventional Ally in Cancer Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:9825. [PMID: 39337312 PMCID: PMC11432138 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25189825] [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: 07/26/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor-suppressor sphingolipid ceramide is recognized as a key participant in the cytotoxic mechanism of action of many types of chemotherapy drugs, including anthracyclines, Vinca alkaloids, the podophyllotoxin etoposide, taxanes, and the platinum drug oxaliplatin. These drugs can activate de novo synthesis of ceramide or stimulate the production of ceramide via sphingomyelinases to limit cancer cell survival. On the contrary, dysfunctional sphingolipid metabolism, a prominent factor in cancer survival and therapy resistance, blunts the anticancer properties of ceramide-orchestrated cell death pathways, especially apoptosis. Although P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is famous for its role in chemotherapy resistance, herein, we propose alternate interpretations and discuss the capacity of this multidrug transporter as a "ceramide neutralizer", an unwelcome event, highlighting yet another facet of P-gp's versatility in drug resistance. We introduce sphingolipid metabolism and its dysfunctional regulation in cancer, present a summary of factors that contribute to chemotherapy resistance, explain how P-gp "neutralizes" ceramide by hastening its glycosylation, and consider therapeutic applications of the P-gp-ceramide connection in the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnson Ung
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA;
| | - Miki Kassai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, The East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (D.J.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Thomas P. Loughran
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (D.J.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - David J. Feith
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA; (S.-F.T.); (D.J.F.)
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
| | - Myles C. Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, The East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, Greenville, NC 27834, USA;
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2
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Mandasari P, Hollmann C, Zaidi RH, Löw S, Schrama J, Wigger D, Schumacher F, Kleuser B, Beyersdorf N. Acid ceramidase expression reduces IFNγ secretion by mouse CD4 + T cells and is crucial for maintaining B-cell numbers in mice. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1309846. [PMID: 38919612 PMCID: PMC11196608 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1309846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (Ac) is a lysosomal enzyme catalyzing the generation of sphingosine from ceramide, and Ac inhibitors are currently being investigated as potential cancer therapeutics. Yet, the role of the Ac in immune responses, particularly anti-viral immunity, is not fully understood. To investigate the impact of Ac expression on various leukocyte populations, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible global knockout mouse model for the Ac (iAc-KO). Following tamoxifen administration to healthy mice, we extracted primary and secondary lymphoid organs from iAc-KO and wild-type (wt) littermates and subsequently performed extensive flow cytometric marker analysis. In addition, we isolated CD4+ T cells from the spleen and lymph nodes for sphingolipid profiling and restimulated them in vitro with Dynabeads™ Mouse T-activator CD3/CD28. Intracellular cytokine expression (FACS staining) was analyzed and secreted cytokines detected in supernatants. To study cell-intrinsic effects, we established an in vitro model for iAc-KO in isolated CD4+ T and B cells. For CD4+ T cells of iAc-KO versus wt mice, we observed reduced Ac activity, an increased ceramide level, and enhanced secretion of IFNγ upon CD3/CD28 costimulation. Moreover, there was a marked reduction in B cell and plasma cell and blast numbers in iAc-KO compared to wt mice. To study cell-intrinsic effects and in line with the 3R principles, we established in vitro cell culture systems for iAc-KO in isolated B and CD4+ T cells. Our findings pinpoint to a key role of the Ac in mature B and antibody-secreting cells and in IFNγ secretion by CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Putri Mandasari
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Hollmann
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Rehan-Haider Zaidi
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Samira Löw
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jann Schrama
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Wigger
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Burkhard Kleuser
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Niklas Beyersdorf
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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3
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Issleny BM, Jamjoum R, Majumder S, Stiban J. Sphingolipids: From structural components to signaling hubs. Enzymes 2023; 54:171-201. [PMID: 37945171 DOI: 10.1016/bs.enz.2023.07.003] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
In late November 2019, Prof. Lina M. Obeid passed away from cancer, a disease she spent her life researching and studying its intricate molecular underpinnings. Along with her husband, Prof. Yusuf A. Hannun, Obeid laid down the foundations of sphingolipid biochemistry and oversaw its remarkable evolution over the years. Lipids are a class of macromolecules that are primarily associated with cellular architecture. In fact, lipids constitute the perimeter of the cell in such a way that without them, there cannot be cells. Hence, much of the early research on lipids identified the function of this class of biological molecules as merely structural. Nevertheless, unlike proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, lipids are elaborately diverse as they are not made up of monomers in polymeric forms. This diversity in structure is clearly mirrored by functional pleiotropy. In this chapter, we focus on a major subset of lipids, sphingolipids, and explore their historic rise from merely inert structural components of plasma membranes to lively and necessary signaling molecules that transmit various signals and control many cellular processes. We will emphasize the works of Lina Obeid since she was an integral pillar of the sphingolipid research world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Batoul M Issleny
- Department of Pharmacy, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine
| | - Rama Jamjoum
- Department of Pharmacy, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine
| | | | - Johnny Stiban
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Birzeit University, West Bank, Palestine.
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4
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Zalpoor H, Bakhtiyari M, Akbari A, Aziziyan F, Shapourian H, Liaghat M, Zare-Badie Z, Yahyazadeh S, Tarhriz V, Ganjalikhani-Hakemi M. Potential role of autophagy induced by FLT3-ITD and acid ceramidase in acute myeloid leukemia chemo-resistance: new insights. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:172. [PMCID: PMC9620650 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00956-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of leukemia with a poor prognosis and survival characterized by abnormal cell proliferation and differentiation. Despite advances in treatment, AML still has a low complete remission rate, particularly in elderly patients, and recurrences are frequently seen even after complete remissions. The major challenge in treating AML is the resistance of leukemia cells to chemotherapy drugs. Thus, to overcome this issue, it can be crucial to conduct new investigations to explore the mechanisms of chemo-resistance in AML and target them. In this review, the potential role of autophagy induced by FLT3-ITD and acid ceramidase in chemo-resistance in AML patients are analyzed. With regard to the high prevalence of FLT3-ITD mutation (about 25% of AML cases) and high level of acid ceramidase in these patients, we hypothesized that both of these factors could lead to chemo-resistance by inducing autophagy. Therefore, pharmacological targeting of autophagy, FLT3-ITD, and acid ceramidase production could be a promising therapeutic approach for such AML patients to overcome chemo-resistance.
Video abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Zalpoor
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran ,grid.510410.10000 0004 8010 4431Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Bakhtiyari
- grid.510410.10000 0004 8010 4431Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran ,grid.412606.70000 0004 0405 433XDepartment of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Abdullatif Akbari
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran ,grid.510410.10000 0004 8010 4431Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Aziziyan
- grid.510410.10000 0004 8010 4431Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran ,grid.412266.50000 0001 1781 3962Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hooriyeh Shapourian
- grid.411036.10000 0001 1498 685XDepartment of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahsa Liaghat
- grid.510410.10000 0004 8010 4431Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran ,grid.472315.60000 0004 0494 0825Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kazerun Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kazerun, Iran
| | - Zahra Zare-Badie
- grid.412571.40000 0000 8819 4698Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sheida Yahyazadeh
- grid.411036.10000 0001 1498 685XDepartment of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Vahideh Tarhriz
- grid.412888.f0000 0001 2174 8913Molecular Medicine Research Center, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mazdak Ganjalikhani-Hakemi
- grid.411036.10000 0001 1498 685XDepartment of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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5
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Huang J, Yang M, Liu Z, Li X, Wang J, Fu N, Cao T, Yang X. PPFIA4 Promotes Colon Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration by Enhancing Tumor Glycolysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:653200. [PMID: 34094943 PMCID: PMC8173052 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.653200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated glycolysis is one of the mechanisms employed by cancer cells to facilitate growth and metastasis. Here we aimed to characterize the PPFIA4 gene, as a glycolysis-related oncogene in promoting the proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells. Using bioinformatical tools including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), we found that PPFIA4 expression and methylation levels were higher in colon cancer tissues of different stages than in normal tissues. Higher PPFIA4 level was also positively correlated with poorer survival of patients. PPFIA4 upregulation also correlated with poor prognosis and higher clinical stages of colon cancer patients. Colon cancer cell viability, migration and migration were enhanced after PPFIA4 overexpression. EMT markers and glycolysis were upregulated after PPFIA4 overexpression. PPFIA4 expression was found to be positively correlated with PFKFB3 and ENO2 levels, while knockdown of PFKFB3 and ENO2 reduced cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis. PPFIA4 upregulation is a potential biomarker in colon cancer which promotes proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis. The upregulation of PFKFB3/ENO2 signaling by PPFIA4 is a potential mechanism underlying the oncogenic effects of PPFIA4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Meiling Yang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Zhaoxia Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiaoqian Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Nian Fu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ting Cao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xuefeng Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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6
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Vethakanraj HS, Chandrasekaran N, Sekar AK. Acid ceramidase, a double-edged sword in cancer aggression: A minireview. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2020; 21:CCDT-EPUB-112652. [PMID: 33357194 DOI: 10.2174/1568009620666201223154621] [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: 08/09/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (AC), the key enzyme of the ceramide metabolic pathway hydrolyzes pro-apoptotic ceramide to sphingosine, which by the action of sphingosine-1-kinase is metabolized to mitogenic sphingosine-1-phosphate. The intracellular level of AC determines ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat which in turn decides the cell fate. The upregulated AC expression during cancerous condition acts as a "double-edged sword" by converting pro-apoptotic ceramide to anti-apoptotic sphingosine-1-phosphate, wherein on one end, the level of ceramide is decreased and on the other end, the level of sphingosine-1-phosphate is increased, thus altogether aggravating the cancer progression. In addition, cancer cells with upregulated AC expression exhibited increased cell proliferation, metastasis, chemoresistance, radioresistance and numerous strategies were developed in the past to effectively target the enzyme. Gene silencing and pharmacological inhibition of AC sensitized the resistant cells to chemo/radiotherapy thereby promoting cell death. The core objective of this review is to explore AC mediated tumour progression and the potential role of AC inhibitors in various cancer cell lines/models.
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7
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Fisher-Wellman KH, Hagen JT, Neufer PD, Kassai M, Cabot MC. On the nature of ceramide-mitochondria interactions - Dissection using comprehensive mitochondrial phenotyping. Cell Signal 2020; 78:109838. [PMID: 33212155 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids are a unique class of lipids owing to their non-glycerol-containing backbone, ceramide, that is constructed from a long-chain aliphatic amino alcohol, sphinganine, to which a fatty acid is attached via an amide bond. Ceramide plays a star role in the initiation of apoptosis by virtue of its interactions with mitochondria, a control point for a downstream array of signaling cascades culminating in apoptosis. Many pathways converge on mitochondria to elicit mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), a step that corrupts bioenergetic service. Although much is known regarding ceramides interaction with mitochondria and the ensuing cell signal transduction cascades, how ceramide impacts the elements of mitochondrial bioenergetic function is poorly understood. The objective of this review is to introduce the reader to sphingolipid metabolism, present a snapshot of mitochondrial respiration, elaborate on ceramides convergence on mitochondria and the upstream players that collaborate to elicit MOMP, and introduce a mitochondrial phenotyping platform that can be of utility in dissecting the fine-points of ceramide impact on cellular bioenergetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey H Fisher-Wellman
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America.
| | - James T Hagen
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - P Darrell Neufer
- East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Miki Kassai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States of America.
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8
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Zhao D, Hajiaghamohseni LM, Liu X, Szulc ZM, Bai A, Bielawska A, Norris JS, Reddy SV, Hannun YA, Haque A. Inhibition of acid ceramidase regulates MHC class II antigen presentation and suppression of autoimmune arthritis. Cytokine 2020; 135:155219. [PMID: 32738771 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The bioactive sphingolipid ceramide affects immune responses although its effect on antigen (Ag) processing and delivery by HLA class II to CD4+T-cells remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the actions of a novel cell-permeable acid ceramidase (AC) inhibitor [(1R,2R) N myristoylamino-(4'-nitrophenyl)-propandiol-1,3] on antigen presentation and inflammatory cytokine production by Ag-presenting cells (APCs) such as B-cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. We found that AC inhibition in APCs perturbed Ag-processing and presentation via HLA-DR4 (MHC class II) proteins as measured by coculture assay and T-cell production of IL-2. Mass spectral analyses showed that B13 treatment significantly raised levels of four types of ceramides in human B-cells. B13 treatment did not alter Ag internalization and class II protein expression, but significantly inhibited lysosomal cysteinyl cathepsins (B, S and L) and thiol-reductase (GILT), HLA class II Ag-processing, and generation of functional class II-peptide complexes. Ex vivo Ag presentation assays showed that inhibition of AC impaired primary and recall CD4+T-cell responses and cytokine production in response against type II collagen. Further, B13 delayed onset and reduced severity of inflamed joints and cytokine production in the collagen-induced arthritis mouse model in vivo. These findings suggest that inhibition of AC in APCs may dysregulate endolysosomal proteases and HLA class II-associated self-antigen presentation to CD4+T-cells, attenuating inflammatory cytokine production and suppressing host autoimmune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Darby Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Laela M Hajiaghamohseni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Darby Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Xiang Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Zdzislaw M Szulc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Aiping Bai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Alicja Bielawska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - James S Norris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Darby Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Sakamuri V Reddy
- Darby Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Yusuf A Hannun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Azizul Haque
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Darby Children's Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
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9
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Chen J, Khiste SK, Fu X, Roy KR, Dong Y, Zhang J, Liu M, Liu YY, Liu Z. Rubusoside-assisted solubilization of poorly soluble C 6-Ceramide for a pilot pharmacokinetic study. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2019; 146:106402. [PMID: 31841664 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2019.106402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Although C6-Ceramide has attracted much attention as a possible tumor suppressor, the delivery of C6-Ceramide is still challenging due to its inherent hydrophobicity and insolubility. In this study we explored the use of a natural compound rubusoside (RUB) as a solubilizer to enhance the solubility of a fluorescence-labeled C6-Ceramide (NBD C6-Ceramide) and to characterize its pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution in an animal model. RUB significantly enhanced the solubility of NBD C6-Ceramide by forming nanomicelles, and efficiently delivered NBD C6-Ceramide in rats by oral and intravenous administration. RUB loaded 1.96 % of NBD C6-Ceramide in the nanomicelles and solubilized it to a concentration of 3.6 mg/mL in water. NBD C6-Ceramide in nanomicelles remained stable in aqueous solutions, allowing intravenous administration without the use of any organic solvents or surfactants. After oral administration, NBD C6-Ceramide rapidly rose to peak plasma concentrations within the first 90 min, distributed to tissues, and remained in vivo for more than 24 h. Tissular levels of NBD C6-Ceramide from high to low were associated with heart, lung, cerebellum, testicle, spleen, liver, kidney, and brain. Altogether, our study demonstrated that RUB-assisted nanomicelles can serve as an efficient and convenient delivery system for short-chain C6-Ceramide and enable in vivo evaluation of potential new cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhong Chen
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA
| | - Sachin K Khiste
- Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71203, USA
| | - Xiaomei Fu
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA; School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Kartik R Roy
- Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71203, USA
| | - Yixuan Dong
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA; School of Perfume and Aroma Technology, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China
| | - Mei Liu
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA; School of Pharmacy, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou 330004, China
| | - Yong-Yu Liu
- Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA 71203, USA
| | - Zhijun Liu
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA.
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10
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Role of Ceramidases in Sphingolipid Metabolism and Human Diseases. Cells 2019; 8:cells8121573. [PMID: 31817238 PMCID: PMC6952831 DOI: 10.3390/cells8121573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes-induced insulin resistance, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases have altered lipid homeostasis. Among these imbalanced lipids, the bioactive sphingolipids ceramide and sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P) are pivotal in the pathophysiology of these diseases. Several enzymes within the sphingolipid pathway contribute to the homeostasis of ceramide and S1P. Ceramidase is key in the degradation of ceramide into sphingosine and free fatty acids. In humans, five different ceramidases are known—acid ceramidase, neutral ceramidase, and alkaline ceramidase 1, 2, and 3—which are encoded by five different genes (ASAH1, ASAH2, ACER1, ACER2, and ACER3, respectively). Notably, the neutral ceramidase N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 2 (ASAH2) shows considerable differences between humans and animals in terms of tissue expression levels. Besides, the subcellular localization of ASAH2 remains controversial. In this review, we sum up the results obtained for identifying gene divergence, structure, subcellular localization, and manipulating factors and address the role of ASAH2 along with other ceramidases in human diseases.
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11
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Ordóñez YF, Abad JL, Aseeri M, Casas J, Garcia V, Casasampere M, Schuchman EH, Levade T, Delgado A, Triola G, Fabrias G. Activity-Based Imaging of Acid Ceramidase in Living Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2019; 141:7736-7742. [PMID: 31030513 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b11687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (AC) hydrolyzes ceramides into sphingoid bases and fatty acids. The enzyme is overexpressed in several types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease, and its genetic defect causes different incurable disorders. The availability of a method for the specific visualization of catalytically active AC in intracellular compartments is crucial for diagnosis and follow-up of therapeutic strategies in diseases linked to altered AC activity. This work was undertaken to develop activity-based probes for the detection of AC. Several analogues of the AC inhibitor SABRAC were synthesized and found to act as very potent (two-digit nM range) irreversible AC inhibitors by reaction with the active site Cys143. Detection of active AC in cell-free systems was achieved either by using fluorescent SABRAC analogues or by click chemistry with an azide-substituted analogue. The compound affording the best features allowed the unprecedented labeling of active AC in living cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira F Ordóñez
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - José Luís Abad
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Mazen Aseeri
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Josefina Casas
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain.,Liver and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-EHD) , 28029 Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Mireia Casasampere
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Edward H Schuchman
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York 10029 , United States
| | - Thierry Levade
- INSERM, UMR1037 CRCT , 31037 Toulouse , France.,Laboratoire de Biochimie Métabolique , Institut Fédératif de Biologie, CHU Purpan , 31300 Toulouse , France
| | - Antonio Delgado
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain.,Unit of Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Associated Unit to CSIC), Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences , University of Barcelona , 08028 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Gemma Triola
- Chemical Biology group, Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biological Chemistry , Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) , Jordi Girona, 18 , 08034 Barcelona , Spain.,Liver and Digestive Diseases Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBER-EHD) , 28029 Madrid , Spain
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12
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Tan SF, Dunton W, Liu X, Fox TE, Morad SAF, Desai D, Doi K, Conaway MR, Amin S, Claxton DF, Wang HG, Kester M, Cabot MC, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. Acid ceramidase promotes drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia through NF-κB-dependent P-glycoprotein upregulation. J Lipid Res 2019; 60:1078-1086. [PMID: 30962310 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.m091876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common acute leukemia in adults. More than half of older AML patients fail to respond to cytotoxic chemotherapy, and most responders relapse with drug-resistant disease. Failure to achieve complete remission can be partly attributed to the drug resistance advantage of AML blasts that frequently express P-glycoprotein (P-gp), an ATP-binding cassette transporter. Our previous work showed that elevated acid ceramidase (AC) levels in AML contribute to blast survival. Here, we investigated P-gp expression levels in AML relative to AC. Using parental HL-60 cells and drug-resistant derivatives as our model, we found that P-gp expression and efflux activity were highly upregulated in resistant derivatives. AC overexpression in HL-60 conferred resistance to the AML chemotherapeutic drugs, cytarabine, mitoxantrone, and daunorubicin, and was linked to P-gp upregulation. Furthermore, targeting AC through pharmacologic or genetic approaches decreased P-gp levels and increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Mechanistically, AC overexpression increased NF-κB activation whereas NF-kB inhibitors reduced P-gp levels, indicating that the NF-kappaB pathway contributes to AC-mediated modulation of P-gp expression. Hence, our data support an important role for AC in drug resistance as well as survival and suggest that sphingolipid targeting approaches may also impact drug resistance in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Wendy Dunton
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Xin Liu
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute Hershey, PA
| | - Todd E Fox
- Departments of Pharmacology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Samy A F Morad
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Dhimant Desai
- Departments of Pharmacology Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Kenichiro Doi
- Pediatrics Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Mark R Conaway
- Public Health Sciences University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Shantu Amin
- Departments of Pharmacology Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | | | - Hong-Gang Wang
- Pediatrics Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA
| | - Mark Kester
- Departments of Pharmacology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.,University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - David J Feith
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA.,University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA .,University of Virginia Cancer Center Charlottesville, VA
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13
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Bai A, Bielawska A, Rahmaniyan M, Kraveka JM, Bielawski J, Hannun YA. Dose dependent actions of LCL521 on acid ceramidase and key sphingolipid metabolites. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:6067-6075. [PMID: 30448190 PMCID: PMC6323005 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The function of acid ceramidase (ACDase), whose congenital deficiency leads to Farber disease, has been recognized to be vital to tumor cell biology, and inhibition of its activity may be beneficial in cancer therapy. Therefore, manipulation of the activity of this enzyme may have significant effect, especially on cancer cells. LCL521, Di-DMG-B13, is a lysosomotropic inhibitor of ACDase. Here we define complexities in the actions of LCL521 on ACDase. Systematic studies in MCF7 cells showed dose and time divergent action of LCL521 on ACDase protein expression and sphingolipid levels. Low dose of LCL521 (1 µM) effectively inhibited ACDase in cells, but the effects were transient. A higher dose of LCL521 (10 µM) caused a profound decrease of sphingosine and increase of ceramide, but additionally affected the processing and regeneration of the ACDase protein, with biphasic and reversible effects on the expression of ACDase, which paralleled the long term changes of cellular sphingosine and ceramide. Finally, the higher concentrations of LCL521 also inhibited Dihydroceramide desaturase (DES-1). In summary, LCL521 exhibits significant effects on ACDase in a dose and time dependent manner, but dose range and treatment time need to be paid attention to specify its future exploration on ACDase targeted cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Bai
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 294255, United States; Lipidomics Shared Resources, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Alicja Bielawska
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 294255, United States; Lipidomics Shared Resources, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Mehrdad Rahmaniyan
- Department of Pediatrics-Hematology/Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 294255, United States
| | - Jacqueline M Kraveka
- Department of Pediatrics-Hematology/Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 294255, United States
| | - Jacek Bielawski
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 294255, United States; Lipidomics Shared Resources, Medical University of South Carolina, 173 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Yusuf A Hannun
- Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and Pharmacology and the Stony Brook Cancer Center at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA.
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14
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Nguyen HS, Shabani S, Awad AJ, Kaushal M, Doan N. Molecular Markers of Therapy-Resistant Glioblastoma and Potential Strategy to Combat Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19061765. [PMID: 29899215 PMCID: PMC6032212 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system. With its overall dismal prognosis (the median survival is 14 months), GBMs demonstrate a resounding resilience against all current treatment modalities. The absence of a major progress in the treatment of GBM maybe a result of our poor understanding of both GBM tumor biology and the mechanisms underlying the acquirement of treatment resistance in recurrent GBMs. A comprehensive understanding of these markers is mandatory for the development of treatments against therapy-resistant GBMs. This review also provides an overview of a novel marker called acid ceramidase and its implication in the development of radioresistant GBMs. Multiple signaling pathways were found altered in radioresistant GBMs. Given these global alterations of multiple signaling pathways found in radioresistant GBMs, an effective treatment for radioresistant GBMs may require a cocktail containing multiple agents targeting multiple cancer-inducing pathways in order to have a chance to make a substantial impact on improving the overall GBM survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha S Nguyen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
- Faculty of Neurosurgery, California Institute of Neuroscience, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360, USA.
| | - Saman Shabani
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
| | - Ahmed J Awad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus 11941, Palestine.
| | - Mayank Kaushal
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
| | - Ninh Doan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA.
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15
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Zhou K, Dichlberger A, Martinez-Seara H, Nyholm TKM, Li S, Kim YA, Vattulainen I, Ikonen E, Blom T. A Ceramide-Regulated Element in the Late Endosomal Protein LAPTM4B Controls Amino Acid Transporter Interaction. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2018; 4:548-558. [PMID: 29806001 PMCID: PMC5968438 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.7b00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Membrane proteins are functionally regulated by the composition of the surrounding lipid bilayer. The late endosomal compartment is a central site for the generation of ceramide, a bioactive sphingolipid, which regulates responses to cell stress. The molecular interactions between ceramide and late endosomal transmembrane proteins are unknown. Here, we uncover in atomistic detail the ceramide interaction of Lysosome Associated Protein Transmembrane 4B (LAPTM4B), implicated in ceramide-dependent cell death and autophagy, and its functional relevance in lysosomal nutrient signaling. The ceramide-mediated regulation of LAPTM4B depends on a sphingolipid interaction motif and an adjacent aspartate residue in the protein's third transmembrane (TM3) helix. The interaction motif provides the preferred contact points for ceramide while the neighboring membrane-embedded acidic residue confers flexibility that is subject to ceramide-induced conformational changes, reducing TM3 bending. This facilitates the interaction between LAPTM4B and the amino acid transporter heavy chain 4F2hc, thereby controlling mTORC signaling. These findings provide mechanistic insights into how transmembrane proteins sense and respond to ceramide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kecheng Zhou
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Minerva
Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Andrea Dichlberger
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Minerva
Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hector Martinez-Seara
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
- Laboratory
of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, 33101 Tampere, Finland
| | - Thomas K. M. Nyholm
- Biochemistry,
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo
Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Shiqian Li
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Minerva
Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Young Ah Kim
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Queens College,
City University of New York, Flushing, New York 11367, United States
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Laboratory
of Physics, Tampere University of Technology, 33101 Tampere, Finland
- Department
of Physics, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Ikonen
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Minerva
Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomas Blom
- Department
of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University
of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Minerva
Foundation Institute for Medical Research, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
- E-mail: . Phone: +358-50-4484795
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16
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Molecular Targeting of Acid Ceramidase in Glioblastoma: A Review of Its Role, Potential Treatment, and Challenges. Pharmaceutics 2018; 10:pharmaceutics10020045. [PMID: 29642535 PMCID: PMC6027516 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics10020045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most common, malignant primary tumor of the central nervous system. The average prognosis for life expectancy after diagnosis, with the triad of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, is less than 1.5 years. Chemotherapy treatment is mostly limited to temozolomide. In this paper, the authors review an emerging, novel drug called acid ceramidase, which targets glioblastoma. Its role in cancer treatment in general, and more specifically, in the treatment of glioblastoma, are discussed. In addition, the authors provide insights on acid ceramidase as a potential druggable target for glioblastoma.
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17
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Doan NB, Nguyen HS, Montoure A, Al-Gizawiy MM, Mueller WM, Kurpad S, Rand SD, Connelly JM, Chitambar CR, Schmainda KM, Mirza SP. Acid ceramidase is a novel drug target for pediatric brain tumors. Oncotarget 2018; 8:24753-24761. [PMID: 28445970 PMCID: PMC5421885 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pediatric brain tumors are the most common solid tumors in children and are also a leading culprit of cancer-related fatalities in children. Pediatric brain tumors remain hard to treat. In this study, we demonstrated that medulloblastoma, pediatric glioblastoma, and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors express significant levels of acid ceramidase, where levels are highest in the radioresistant tumors, suggesting that acid ceramidase may confer radioresistance. More importantly, we also showed that acid ceramidase inhibitors are highly effective at targeting these pediatric brain tumors with low IC50 values (4.6–50 μM). This data suggests acid ceramidase as a novel drug target for adjuvant pediatric brain tumor therapies. Of these acid ceramidase inhibitors, carmofur has seen clinical use in Japan since 1981 for colorectal cancers and is a promising drug to undergo further animal studies and subsequently a clinical trial as a treatment for pediatric patients with brain tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninh B Doan
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Ha S Nguyen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Andrew Montoure
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Mona M Al-Gizawiy
- Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Wade M Mueller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Shekar Kurpad
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Scott D Rand
- Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Jennifer M Connelly
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | | | - Kathleen M Schmainda
- Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Shama P Mirza
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53211, USA
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18
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Tan SF, Liu X, Fox TE, Barth BM, Sharma A, Turner SD, Awwad A, Dewey A, Doi K, Spitzer B, Shah MV, Morad SAF, Desai D, Amin S, Zhu J, Liao J, Yun J, Kester M, Claxton DF, Wang HG, Cabot MC, Schuchman EH, Levine RL, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. Acid ceramidase is upregulated in AML and represents a novel therapeutic target. Oncotarget 2018; 7:83208-83222. [PMID: 27825124 PMCID: PMC5347763 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent unmet need for new therapeutics in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as standard therapy has not changed in the past three decades and outcome remains poor for most patients. Sphingolipid dysregulation through decreased ceramide levels and elevated sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) promotes cancer cell growth and survival. Acid ceramidase (AC) catalyzes ceramide breakdown to sphingosine, the precursor for S1P. We report for the first time that AC is required for AML blast survival. Transcriptome analysis and enzymatic assay show that primary AML cells have high levels of AC expression and activity. Treatment of patient samples and cell lines with AC inhibitor LCL204 reduced viability and induced apoptosis. AC overexpression increased the expression of anti-apoptotic Mcl-1, significantly increased S1P and decreased ceramide. Conversely, LCL204 induced ceramide accumulation and decreased Mcl-1 through post-translational mechanisms. LCL204 treatment significantly increased overall survival of C57BL/6 mice engrafted with leukemic C1498 cells and significantly decreased leukemic burden in NSG mice engrafted with primary human AML cells. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that AC plays a critical role in AML survival through regulation of both sphingolipid levels and Mcl-1. We propose that AC warrants further exploration as a novel therapeutic target in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Xin Liu
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Todd E Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Brian M Barth
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
| | - Arati Sharma
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Stephen D Turner
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Andy Awwad
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Alden Dewey
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kenichiro Doi
- Department of Pathology, Osaka City University Medical School, Osaka, Japan
| | - Barbara Spitzer
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mithun Vinod Shah
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samy A F Morad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Dhimant Desai
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Shantu Amin
- Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Junjia Zhu
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jason Liao
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Jong Yun
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | | | - Hong-Gang Wang
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Edward H Schuchman
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Ross L Levine
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - David J Feith
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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19
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The investigation of ceranib-2 on apoptosis and drug interaction with carboplatin in human non small cell lung cancer cells in vitro. Cytotechnology 2017; 70:387-396. [PMID: 29230631 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-017-0154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceramide is found to be involved in inhibition of cell division and induction of apoptosis in certain tumour cells. Ceranib-2 is an agent that increases ceramide levels by inhibiting ceramidase in cancer cells. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of ceranib-2 on cell survival, apoptosis and interaction with carboplatin in human non-small cell lung cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of ceranib-2 (1-100 µM) was determined by MTT assay in human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and large cell lung carcinoma (H460) cells. Carboplatin (1-100 µM) and lung bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were used as positive controls. Morphological and ultrastructural changes were analysed by light microscope and TEM. Apoptotic/necrotic cell death and acid ceramidase activity were analysed by ELISA. Combination effects of ceranib-2 and carboplatin were investigated by MTT. The expression levels of CASP3, CASP9, BAX and BCL-2 were examined by qRT-PCR. The IC50 of ceranib-2 was determined as 22 μM in A549 cells and 8 μM in H460 cells for 24 h. Morphological changes and induction of DNA fragmentation have revealed apoptotic effects of ceranib-2 in both cell lines. Ceranib-2 and carboplatin has shown synergism in combined treatment at 10 and 25 μM doses in H460 cells for 24 h. Ceranib-2 inhibited acid ceramidase activity by 44% at 25 µM in H460 cells. Finally, CASP3, CASP9 and BAX expressions were increased while BCL-2 expression was reduced in both cells. Our results obtained some preliminary results about the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of ceranib-2 for the first time in NSCLC cell lines.
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20
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Doan NB, Alhajala H, Al-Gizawiy MM, Mueller WM, Rand SD, Connelly JM, Cochran EJ, Chitambar CR, Clark P, Kuo J, Schmainda KM, Mirza SP. Acid ceramidase and its inhibitors: a de novo drug target and a new class of drugs for killing glioblastoma cancer stem cells with high efficiency. Oncotarget 2017; 8:112662-112674. [PMID: 29348854 PMCID: PMC5762539 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma remains the most common, malignant primary cancer of the central nervous system with a low life expectancy and an overall survival of less than 1.5 years. The treatment options are limited and there is no cure. Moreover, almost all patients develop recurrent tumors, which typically are more aggressive. Therapeutically resistant glioblastoma or glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs) are hypothesized to cause this inevitable recurrence. Identifying prognostic biomarkers of glioblastoma will potentially advance knowledge about glioblastoma tumorigenesis and enable discovery of more effective therapies. Proteomic analysis of more than 600 glioblastoma-specific proteins revealed, for the first time, that expression of acid ceramidase (ASAH1) is associated with poor glioblastoma survival. CD133+ GSCs express significantly higher ASAH1 compared to CD133- GSCs and serum-cultured glioblastoma cell lines, such as U87MG. These findings implicate ASAH1 as a plausible independent prognostic marker, providing a target for a therapy tailored toward GSCs. We further demonstrate that ASAH1 inhibition increases cellular ceramide level and induces apoptosis. Strikingly, U87MG cells, and three different patient-derived glioblastoma stem-like cancer cell lines were efficiently killed, through apoptosis, by three different known ASAH1 inhibitors with IC50's ranging from 11–104 μM. In comparison, the standard glioblastoma chemotherapy agent, temozolomide, had minimal GSC-targeted effects at comparable or even higher concentrations (IC50 > 750 μM against GSCs). ASAH1 is identified as a de novo glioblastoma drug target, and ASAH1 inhibitors, such as carmofur, are shown to be highly effective and to specifically target glioblastoma GSCs. Carmofur is an ASAH1 inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier, a major bottleneck in glioblastoma treatment. It has been approved in Japan since 1981 for colorectal cancer therapy. Therefore, it is poised for repurposing and translation to glioblastoma clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninh B Doan
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Hisham Alhajala
- Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Mona M Al-Gizawiy
- Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Wade M Mueller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Scott D Rand
- Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | | | | | - Christopher R Chitambar
- Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Paul Clark
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792, USA
| | - John Kuo
- Department of Neurological Surgery and Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792, USA
| | - Kathleen M Schmainda
- Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA
| | - Shama P Mirza
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53226, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53211, USA
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21
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Complete Acid Ceramidase ablation prevents cancer-initiating cell formation in melanoma cells. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7411. [PMID: 28785021 PMCID: PMC5547127 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (AC) is a lysosomal cysteine hydrolase that catalyzes the conversion of ceramide into fatty acid and sphingosine. This reaction lowers intracellular ceramide levels and concomitantly generates sphingosine used for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) production. Since increases in ceramide and consequent decreases of S1P reduce proliferation of various cancers, AC might offer a new target for anti-tumor therapy. Here we used CrispR-Cas9-mediated gene editing to delete the gene encoding for AC, ASAH1, in human A375 melanoma cells. ASAH1-null clones show significantly greater accumulation of long-chain saturated ceramides that are substrate for AC. As seen with administration of exogenous ceramide, AC ablation blocks cell cycle progression and accelerates senescence. Importantly, ASAH1-null cells also lose the ability to form cancer-initiating cells and to undergo self-renewal, which is suggestive of a key role for AC in maintaining malignancy and self-renewal of invasive melanoma cells. The results suggest that AC inhibitors might find therapeutic use as adjuvant therapy for advanced melanoma.
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22
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Doan NB, Nguyen HS, Al-Gizawiy MM, Mueller WM, Sabbadini RA, Rand SD, Connelly JM, Chitambar CR, Schmainda KM, Mirza SP. Acid ceramidase confers radioresistance to glioblastoma cells. Oncol Rep 2017; 38:1932-1940. [PMID: 28765947 PMCID: PMC5652937 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary, intracranial malignancy of the central nervous system. The standard treatment protocol, which involves surgical resection, and concurrent radiation with adjuvant temozolomide (TMZ), still imparts a grim prognosis. Ultimately, all GBMs exhibit recurrence or progression, developing resistance to standard treatment. This study demonstrates that GBMs acquire resistance to radiation via upregulation of acid ceramidase (ASAH1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (Sph-1P). Moreover, inhibition of ASAH1 and Sph-1P, either with humanized monoclonal antibodies, small molecule drugs (i.e. carmofur), or a combination of both, led to suppression of GBM cell growth. These results suggest that ASAH1 and Sph-1P may be excellent targets for the treatment of new GBMs and recurrent GBMs, especially since the latter overexpresses ASAH1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ninh B Doan
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Ha S Nguyen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Mona M Al-Gizawiy
- Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Wade M Mueller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Roger A Sabbadini
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, and Lpath Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Scott D Rand
- Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Jennifer M Connelly
- Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | | | | | - Shama P Mirza
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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23
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Ortega JA, Arencibia JM, La Sala G, Borgogno M, Bauer I, Bono L, Braccia C, Armirotti A, Girotto S, Ganesan A, De Vivo M. Pharmacophore Identification and Scaffold Exploration to Discover Novel, Potent, and Chemically Stable Inhibitors of Acid Ceramidase in Melanoma Cells. J Med Chem 2017; 60:5800-5815. [PMID: 28603987 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (AC) hydrolyzes ceramides, which are central lipid messengers for metabolism and signaling of sphingolipids. A growing body of evidence links deregulation of sphingolipids to several diseases, including cancer. Indeed, AC expression is abnormally high in melanoma cells. AC inhibition may thus be key to treating malignant melanoma. Here, we have used a systematic scaffold exploration to design a general pharmacophore for AC inhibition. This pharmacophore comprises a 6 + 5 fused ring heterocycle linked to an aliphatic substituent via a urea moiety. We have thus identified the novel benzimidazole derivatives 10, 21, 27, and 30, which are highly potent AC inhibitors. Their chemical and metabolic stabilities are comparable or superior to those of previously reported AC inhibitors. Moreover, they are potent against endogenous AC in intact melanoma cells. These novel inhibitors merit further characterization and can serve as a promising starting point for the discovery of new antimelanoma therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Antonio Ortega
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Jose M Arencibia
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Giuseppina La Sala
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Marco Borgogno
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Inga Bauer
- CompuNet, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Bono
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Clarissa Braccia
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Armirotti
- D3-PharmaChemistry, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Stefania Girotto
- CompuNet, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy
| | - Anand Ganesan
- Department of Dermatology and Biological Chemistry, University of California , 202 Sprague Hall, 92697-2400 Irvine, United States
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling & Drug Discovery, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, 16163 Genoa, Italy.,IAS-5/INM-9 Computational Biomedicine Forschungszentrum Jülich , Wilhelm-Johnen-Straße, 52428 Jülich, Germany
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24
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Tan SF, Pearson JM, Feith DJ, Loughran TP. The emergence of acid ceramidase as a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukemia. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21:583-590. [PMID: 28434262 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2017.1322065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common adult leukemia. Only a fraction of AML patients will survive with existing chemotherapy regimens. Hence, there is an urgent and unmet need to identify novel targets and develop better therapeutics in AML. In the past decade, the field of sphingolipid metabolism has emerged into the forefront of cancer biology due to its importance in cancer cell proliferation and survival. In particular, acid ceramidase (AC) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its role in neutralizing the pro-death effects of ceramide. Areas covered: This review highlights key information about AML biology as well as current knowledge on dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism in cancer and AML. We describe AC function and dysregulation in cancer, followed by a review of studies that report elevated AC in AML and compounds known to inhibit the enzyme. Expert opinion: AML has a great need for new drug targets and better therapeutic agents. The finding of elevated AC in AML supports the concept that this enzyme represents a novel and realistic therapeutic target for this common leukemia. More effort is needed towards developing better AC inhibitors for clinical use and combination treatment with existing AML therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Fern Tan
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Jennifer M Pearson
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - David J Feith
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b University of Virginia Cancer Center , Charlottesville , VA , USA
| | - Thomas P Loughran
- a Department of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , VA , USA.,b University of Virginia Cancer Center , Charlottesville , VA , USA
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25
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Ahmad A, Mitrofanova A, Bielawski J, Yang Y, Marples B, Fornoni A, Zeidan YH. Sphingomyelinase-like phosphodiesterase 3b mediates radiation-induced damage of renal podocytes. FASEB J 2016; 31:771-780. [PMID: 27836988 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600618r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in radiation nephropathy remain largely unknown. Podocytes are increasingly recognized as key players in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in primary and secondary glomerular disorders. The lipid-modulating enzyme sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase acid-like 3B (SMPDL3b) is a key determinant of podocyte injury and a known off target of the anti-CD20 antibody rituximab (RTX). The current study investigates the role of sphingolipids in radiation-induced podocytopathy. After a single dose of radiation (8 Gy), several ceramide species were significantly elevated. In particular, C16:00, C24:00, and C24:1 ceramides were the most abundant ceramide species detected. These changes were paralleled by a time-dependent drop in SMPDL3b protein, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate levels. Interestingly, SMPDL3b-overexpressing podocytes had higher basal levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate and maintained basal ceramide levels after irradiation. Morphologically, irradiated podocytes demonstrated loss of filopodia and remodeling of cortical actin. Furthermore, the actin binding protein ezrin relocated from the plasma membrane to the cytosol as early as 2 h after radiation. In contrast, SMPDL3b overexpressing podocytes were protected from radiation-induced cytoskeletal remodeling. Treatment with RTX before radiation exposure partially protected podocytes from SMPDL3b loss, cytoskeletal remodeling, and caspase 3 cleavage. Our results demonstrate that radiation injury induces early cytoskeletal remodeling, down-regulation of SMPDL3b, and elevation of cellular ceramide levels. Overexpression of SMPDL3b and pretreatment with RTX confer a radioprotective effect in cultured podocytes. These findings indicate a potential role for SMPDL3b and RTX in radiation-induced podocytopathy.-Ahmad, A., Mitrofanova, A., Bielawski, J., Yang, Y., Marples, B., Fornoni, A., Zeidan, Y. H. Sphingomyelinase-like phosphodiesterase 3b mediates radiation-induced damage of renal podocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anis Ahmad
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miller School of Medicine/Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alla Mitrofanova
- Peggy and Harold Katz Family Drug Discovery Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Surgery, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jacek Bielawski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Yidong Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miller School of Medicine/Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Brian Marples
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miller School of Medicine/Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alessia Fornoni
- Peggy and Harold Katz Family Drug Discovery Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA; and
| | - Youssef H Zeidan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Miller School of Medicine/Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA; .,Department of Radiation Oncology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
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26
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Signoretto E, Zierle J, Bhuyan AAM, Castagna M, Lang F. Ceranib-2-induced suicidal erythrocyte death. Cell Biochem Funct 2016; 34:359-66. [PMID: 27291470 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Ceramide is known to trigger apoptosis of nucleated cells and eryptosis of erythrocytes. Eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine translocation to the erythrocyte surface. Besides ceramide, stimulators of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca(2+) -activity ([Ca(2+) ]i ) and oxidative stress. Ceramide is degraded by acid ceramidase and inhibition of the enzyme similarly triggers apoptosis. The present study explored, whether ceramidase inhibitor Ceranib-2 induces eryptosis. Flow cytometry was employed to quantify phosphatidylserine-exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding, cell volume from forward scatter, [Ca(2+) ]i from Fluo3-fluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) from DCF dependent fluorescence, and ceramide abundance utilizing specific antibodies. Hemolysis was estimated from hemoglobin concentration in the supernatant. A 48 h exposure of human erythrocytes to Ceranib-2 significantly increased the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells (≥50 μM) and the percentage of hemolytic cells (≥10 μM) without significantly modifying forward scatter. Ceranib-2 significantly increased Fluo3-fluorescence, DCF fluorescence and ceramide abundance. The effect of Ceranib-2 on annexin-V-binding was not significantly blunted by removal of extracellular Ca(2+) . Ceranib-2 triggers phospholipid scrambling of the erythrocyte cell membrane, an effect at least in part due to increase of ceramide abundance and induction of oxidative stress, but not dependent on Ca(2+) entry. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Signoretto
- Departments of Physiology and Cardiology & Cardiovascular Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Jens Zierle
- Departments of Physiology and Cardiology & Cardiovascular Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan
- Departments of Physiology and Cardiology & Cardiovascular Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Michela Castagna
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Florian Lang
- Departments of Physiology and Cardiology & Cardiovascular Medicine, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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27
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Korbelik M, Banáth J, Zhang W, Saw KM, Szulc ZM, Bielawska A, Separovic D. Interaction of acid ceramidase inhibitor LCL521 with tumor response to photodynamic therapy and photodynamic therapy-generated vaccine. Int J Cancer 2016; 139:1372-8. [PMID: 27136745 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.30171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Acid ceramidase has been identified as a promising target for cancer therapy. One of its most effective inhibitors, LCL521, was examined as adjuvant to photodynamic therapy (PDT) using mouse squamous cell carcinoma SCCVII model of head and neck cancer. Lethal effects of PDT, assessed by colony forming ability of in vitro treated SCCVII cells, were greatly enhanced when combined with 10 µM LCL521 treatment particularly when preceding PDT. When PDT-treated SCCVII cells are used to vaccinate SCCVII tumor-bearing mice (PDT vaccine protocol), adjuvant LCL521 treatment (75 mg/kg) resulted in a marked retardation of tumor growth. This effect can be attributed to the capacity of LCL521 to effectively restrict the activity of two main immunoregulatory cell populations (Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, MDSCs) that are known to hinder the efficacy of PDT vaccines. The therapeutic benefit with adjuvant LCL521 was also achieved with SCCVII tumors treated with standard PDT when using immunocompetent mice but not with immunodeficient hosts. The interaction of LCL521 with PDT-based antitumor mechanisms is dominated by immune system contribution that includes overriding the effects of immunoregulatory cells, but could also include a tacit contribution from boosting direct tumor cell kill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mladen Korbelik
- Integrative Oncology Department, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Judit Banáth
- Integrative Oncology Department, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wei Zhang
- Integrative Oncology Department, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kyi Min Saw
- Integrative Oncology Department, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Zdzislaw M Szulc
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Alicja Bielawska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Duska Separovic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
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28
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Obanda DN, Zhao P, Richard AJ, Ribnicky D, Cefalu WT, Stephens JM. Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) Attenuates FFA Induced Ceramide Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes in an Adiponectin Dependent Manner. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150252. [PMID: 26939068 PMCID: PMC4777364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Excess dietary lipids result in the accumulation of lipid metabolites including ceramides that can attenuate insulin signaling. There is evidence that a botanical extract of Urtica dioica L. (stinging nettle) improves insulin action, yet the precise mechanism(s) are not known. Hence, we examined the effects of Urtica dioica L. (UT) on adipocytes. Research Design We investigated the effects of an ethanolic extract of UT on free fatty acid (palmitic acid) induced inhibition of insulin-stimulated Akt serine phosphorylation and modulation of ceramidase expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Adipocytes were exposed to excess FFAs in the presence or absence of UT. Effects on adiponectin expression, ceramidase expression, ceramidase activity, ceramide accumulation and insulin signaling were determined. Results As expected, FFAs reduced adiponectin expression and increased the expression of ceramidase enzymes but not their activity. FFA also induced the accumulation of ceramides and reduced insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt in adipocytes. The effects of FFA were partially reversed by UT. UT enhanced adiponectin expression and ceramidase activity in the presence of excess FFAs. UT abated ceramide accumulation and increased insulin sensitivity via enhanced Akt phosphorylation. A siRNA knockdown of adiponectin expression prevented UT from exerting positive effects on ceramidase activity but not Akt phosphorylation. Conclusions In adipocytes, the ability of UT to antagonize the negative effects of FFA by modulating ceramidase activity and ceramide accumulation is dependent on the presence of adiponectin. However, the ability of UT to enhance Akt phosphorylation is independent of adiponectin expression. These studies demonstrate direct effects of UT on adipocytes and suggest this botanical extract is metabolically beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana N Obanda
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Peng Zhao
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Allison J Richard
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - David Ribnicky
- Department of Plant Biology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - William T Cefalu
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline M Stephens
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
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29
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Casasampere M, Camacho L, Cingolani F, Casas J, Egido-Gabás M, Abad JL, Bedia C, Xu R, Wang K, Canals D, Hannun YA, Mao C, Fabrias G. Activity of neutral and alkaline ceramidases on fluorogenic N-acylated coumarin-containing aminodiols. J Lipid Res 2015; 56:2019-28. [PMID: 26286360 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.d061564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ceramidases catalyze the cleavage of ceramides into sphingosine and fatty acids. Previously, we reported on the use of the RBM14 fluorogenic ceramide analogs to determine acidic ceramidase activity. In this work, we investigated the activity of other amidohydrolases on RBM14 compounds. Both bacterial and human purified neutral ceramidases (NCs), as well as ectopically expressed mouse neutral ceramidase hydrolyzed RBM14 with different selectivity, depending on the N-acyl chain length. On the other hand, microsomes from alkaline ceramidase (ACER)3 knockdown cells were less competent at hydrolyzing RBM14C12, RBM12C14, and RBM14C16 than controls, while microsomes from ACER2 and ACER3 overexpressing cells showed no activity toward the RBM14 substrates. Conversely, N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA) overexpressing cells hydrolyzed RBM14C14 and RBM14C16 at acidic pH. Overall, NC, ACER3, and, to a lesser extent, NAAA hydrolyze fluorogenic RBM14 compounds. Although the selectivity of the substrates toward ceramidases can be modulated by the length of the N-acyl chain, none of them was specific for a particular enzyme. Despite the lack of specificity, these substrates should prove useful in library screening programs aimed at identifying potent and selective inhibitors for NC and ACER3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Casasampere
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luz Camacho
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Cingolani
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josefina Casas
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Egido-Gabás
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luís Abad
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Bedia
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruijuan Xu
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8155
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8155
| | - Daniel Canals
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8155
| | - Yusuf A Hannun
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8155
| | - Cungui Mao
- Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8155
| | - Gemma Fabrias
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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30
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Abstract
The topic of ceramidases has experienced an enormous boost during the last few years. Ceramidases catalyze the degradation of ceramide to sphingosine and fatty acids. Ceramide is not only the central hub of sphingolipid biosynthesis and degradation, it is also a key molecule in sphingolipid signaling, promoting differentiation or apoptosis. Acid ceramidase inhibition sensitizes certain types of cancer to chemo- and radio-therapy and this is suggestive of a role of acid ceramidase inhibitors as chemo-sensitizers which can act synergistically with chemo-therapeutic drugs. In this review, we summarize the development of ceramide analogues as first-generation ceramidase inhibitors together with data on their activity in cells and disease models. Furthermore, we describe the recent developments that have led to highly potent second-generation ceramidase inhibitors that act at nanomolar concentrations. In the third part, various assays of ceramidases are described and their relevance for accurately measuring ceramidase activities and for the development of novel inhibitors is highlighted. Besides potential clinical implications, the recent improvements in ceramidase inhibition and assaying may help to better understand the mechanisms of ceramide biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Essa M Saied
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Chemistry, Berlin, Germany; Suez Canal University, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Christoph Arenz
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Institute for Chemistry, Berlin, Germany.
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Guadagni V, Novelli E, Piano I, Gargini C, Strettoi E. Pharmacological approaches to retinitis pigmentosa: A laboratory perspective. Prog Retin Eye Res 2015; 48:62-81. [PMID: 26113212 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2015.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Revised: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Retinal photoreceptors are highly specialized and performing neurons. Their cellular architecture is exquisitely designed to host a high concentration of molecules involved in light capture, phototransduction, electric and chemical signaling, membrane and molecular turnover, light and dark adaption, network activities etc. Such high efficiency and molecular complexity require a great metabolic demand, altogether conferring to photoreceptors particular susceptibility to external and internal insults, whose occurrence usually precipitate into degeneration of these cells and blindness. In Retinitis Pigmentosa, an impressive number of mutations in genes expressed in the retina and coding for a large varieties of proteins leads to the progressive death of photoreceptors and blindness. Recent advances in molecular tools have greatly facilitated the identification of the underlying genetics and molecular bases of RP leading to the successful implementation of gene therapy for some types of mutations, with visual restoration in human patients. Yet, genetic heterogeneity of RP makes mutation-independent approaches highly desirable, although many obstacles pave the way to general strategies for treating this complex disease, which remains orphan. The review will focus on treatments for RP based on pharmacological tools, choosing, among the many ongoing studies, approaches which rely on strong experimental evidence or rationale. For perspective treatments, new concepts are foreseen to emerge from basic studies elucidating the pathways connecting the primary mutations to photoreceptor death, possibly revealing common molecular targets for drug intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Guadagni
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Area della Ricerca, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Novelli
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Area della Ricerca, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Ilaria Piano
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Enrica Strettoi
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Area della Ricerca, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
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32
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Morad SAF, Cabot MC. Tamoxifen regulation of sphingolipid metabolism--Therapeutic implications. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2015; 1851:1134-45. [PMID: 25964209 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2015.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Tamoxifen, a triphenylethylene antiestrogen and one of the first-line endocrine therapies used to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, has a number of interesting, off-target effects, and among these is the inhibition of sphingolipid metabolism. More specifically, tamoxifen inhibits ceramide glycosylation, and enzymatic step that can adventitiously support the influential tumor-suppressor properties of ceramide, the aliphatic backbone of sphingolipids. Additionally, tamoxifen and metabolites N-desmethyltamoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen, have been shown to inhibit ceramide hydrolysis by the enzyme acid ceramidase. This particular intervention slows ceramide destruction and thereby depresses formation of sphingosine 1-phosphate, a mitogenic sphingolipid with cancer growth-promoting properties. As ceramide-centric therapies are becoming appealing clinical interventions in the treatment of cancer, agents like tamoxifen that can retard the generation of mitogenic sphingolipids and buffer ceramide clearance via inhibition of glycosylation, take on new importance. In this review, we present an abridged, lay introduction to sphingolipid metabolism, briefly chronicle tamoxifen's history in the clinic, examine studies that demonstrate the impact of triphenylethylenes on sphingolipid metabolism in cancer cells, and canvass works relevant to the use of tamoxifen as adjuvant to drive ceramide-centric therapies in cancer treatment. The objective is to inform the readership of what could be a novel, off-label indication of tamoxifen and structurally-related triphenylethylenes, an indication divorced from estrogen receptor status and one with application in drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samy A F Morad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, 115 Heart Drive, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27834, USA; East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, 115 Heart Drive, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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Mizutani N, Inoue M, Omori Y, Ito H, Tamiya-Koizumi K, Takagi A, Kojima T, Nakamura M, Iwaki S, Nakatochi M, Suzuki M, Nozawa Y, Murate T. Increased acid ceramidase expression depends on upregulation of androgen-dependent deubiquitinases, USP2, in a human prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP. J Biochem 2015; 158:309-19. [PMID: 25888580 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvv039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (ACDase) metabolizes ceramide to sphingosine, leading to sphingosine 1-phosphate production. Reportedly, ACDase has been upregulated in prostate cancer. However, its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. LNCaP (androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cell line) but not PC3 and DU-145, (androgen-unresponsive cell lines) exhibited the highest ACDase protein. Among three cell lines, ASAH1 mRNA level was not correlated with ACDase protein expression, and the 5'-promoter activity did not show androgen dependency, suggesting the post-transcriptional regulation of ACDase in LNCaP cells. Based on these results, LNCaP was analysed further. Casodex, androgen receptor antagonist, and charcoal-stripped FCS (CS-FCS) decreased ACDase protein and activity, whereas dihydrotestosterone in CS-FCS culture increased ACDase protein and enzyme activity. MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, prevented the decrease of ACDase protein when cultured in CS-FCS, suggesting the involvement of ubiquitin/proteasome system. Reportedly, USP2, a deubiquitinase, plays an important role in LNCaP cells. USP2 siRNA decreased ACDase protein, whereas USP2 overexpression increased ACDase protein of LNCaP cells. However, SKP2, an ubiquitin E3 ligase known to be active in prostate cancer, did not affect androgen-dependent ACDase expression in LNCaP cells. Thus, ACDase regulation by androgen in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells is mainly due to its prolonged protein half-life by androgen-stimulated USP2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Mizutani
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673
| | - Minami Inoue
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673
| | - Yukari Omori
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673
| | - Hiromi Ito
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673
| | - Keiko Tamiya-Koizumi
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673
| | - Akira Takagi
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673
| | - Tetsuhito Kojima
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673
| | - Mitsuhiro Nakamura
- Department of Drug Information, Gifu Pharmaceutical University, Gifu 501-1196
| | - Soichiro Iwaki
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8603
| | - Masahiro Nakatochi
- Bioinformatics Section, Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya 466-8550
| | - Motoshi Suzuki
- Division of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8560; and
| | - Yoshinori Nozawa
- Department of Food and Health Science, Tokai Gakuin University, Kakamigahara 504-8511, Japan
| | - Takashi Murate
- Department of Pathophysiological Laboratory Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 461-8673;
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Morad SAF, Tan SF, Feith DJ, Kester M, Claxton DF, Loughran TP, Barth BM, Fox TE, Cabot MC. Modification of sphingolipid metabolism by tamoxifen and N-desmethyltamoxifen in acute myelogenous leukemia--Impact on enzyme activity and response to cytotoxics. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2015; 1851:919-28. [PMID: 25769964 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The triphenylethylene antiestrogen, tamoxifen, can be an effective inhibitor of sphingolipid metabolism. This off-target activity makes tamoxifen an interesting ancillary for boosting the apoptosis-inducing properties of ceramide, a sphingolipid with valuable tumor censoring activity. Here we show for the first time that tamoxifen and metabolite, N-desmethyltamoxifen (DMT), block ceramide glycosylation and inhibit ceramide hydrolysis (by acid ceramidase, AC) in human acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) cell lines and in AML cells derived from patients. Tamoxifen (1-10 μM) inhibition of AC in AML cells was accompanied by decreases in AC protein expression. Tamoxifen also depressed expression and activity of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), the enzyme-catalyzing production of mitogenic sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1-P). Results from mass spectroscopy showed that tamoxifen and DMT (i) increased the levels of endogenous C16:0 and C24:1 ceramide molecular species, (ii) nearly totally halted production of respective glucosylceramide (GC) molecular species, (iii) drastically reduced levels of sphingosine (to 9% of control), and (iv) reduced levels of S1-P by 85%, in vincristine-resistant HL-60/VCR cells. The co-administration of tamoxifen with either N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4-HPR), a ceramide-generating retinoid, or a cell-deliverable form of ceramide, C6-ceramide, resulted in marked decreases in HL-60/VCR cell viability that far exceeded single agent potency. Combination treatments resulted in synergistic apoptotic cell death as gauged by increased Annexin V binding and DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-3. These results show the versatility of adjuvant triphenylethylene with ceramide-centric therapies for magnifying therapeutic potential in AML. Such drug regimens could serve as effective strategies, even in the multidrug-resistant setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samy A F Morad
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA
| | - Su-Fern Tan
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0716, USA
| | - David J Feith
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0716, USA; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0716, USA
| | - Mark Kester
- University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0716, USA
| | | | - Thomas P Loughran
- Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0716, USA; University of Virginia Cancer Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0716, USA
| | - Brian M Barth
- Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Todd E Fox
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0001, USA
| | - Myles C Cabot
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27834, USA.
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Payne AW, Pant DK, Pan TC, Chodosh LA. Ceramide kinase promotes tumor cell survival and mammary tumor recurrence. Cancer Res 2014; 74:6352-63. [PMID: 25164007 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-1292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent breast cancer is typically an incurable disease and, as such, is disproportionately responsible for deaths from this disease. Recurrent breast cancers arise from the pool of disseminated tumor cells (DTC) that survive adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy, and patients with detectable DTCs following therapy are at substantially increased risk for recurrence. Consequently, the identification of pathways that contribute to the survival of breast cancer cells following therapy could aid in the development of more effective therapies that decrease the burden of residual disease and thereby reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. We now report that ceramide kinase (Cerk) is required for mammary tumor recurrence following HER2/neu pathway inhibition and is spontaneously upregulated during tumor recurrence in multiple genetically engineered mouse models for breast cancer. We find that Cerk is rapidly upregulated in tumor cells following HER2/neu downregulation or treatment with Adriamycin and that Cerk is required for tumor cell survival following HER2/neu downregulation. Consistent with our observations in mouse models, analysis of gene expression profiles from more than 2,200 patients revealed that elevated CERK expression is associated with an increased risk of recurrence in women with breast cancer. In addition, although CERK expression is associated with aggressive subtypes of breast cancer, including those that are estrogen receptor-negative, HER2(+), basal-like, or high grade, its association with poor clinical outcome is independent of these clinicopathologic variables. Together, our findings identify a functional role for Cerk in breast cancer recurrence and suggest the clinical utility of agents targeted against this prosurvival pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ania W Payne
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Dhruv K Pant
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Tien-Chi Pan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lewis A Chodosh
- Department of Cancer Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Zigdon H, Meshcheriakova A, Futerman AH. From sheep to mice to cells: Tools for the study of the sphingolipidoses. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2014; 1841:1189-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2014.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Johnson IR, Parkinson-Lawrence EJ, Butler LM, Brooks DA. Prostate cell lines as models for biomarker discovery: performance of current markers and the search for new biomarkers. Prostate 2014; 74:547-60. [PMID: 24435746 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer cell lines have been used in the search for biomarkers that are suitable for prostate cancer diagnosis. Unfortunately, many cell line studies have only involved single cell lines, partially characterized cell lines or were performed without controls, and this may have been detrimental to effective biomarker discovery. We have analyzed a panel of prostate cancer and nonmalignant control cell lines using current biomarkers and then investigated a set of prospective endosomal and lysosomal proteins to search for new biomarkers. METHODS Western blotting was used to define the amount of protein and specific molecular forms in cell extracts and culture media from a panel of nonmalignant (RWPE-1, PNT1a, PNT2) and prostate cancer (22RV1, CaHPV10, DU-145, LNCaP) cell lines. Gene expression was determined by qRT-PCR. RESULTS HPV-18 transfected cell lines displayed a different pattern of protein and gene expression when compared to the other cell lines examined, suggesting that these cell lines may not be the most optimal for prostate cancer biomarker discovery. There was an increased amount of prostatic acid phosphatase and kallikrein proteins in LNCaP cell extracts and culture media, but variable amounts of these proteins in other prostate cancer cell lines. There were minimal differences in the amounts of lysosomal proteins detected in prostate cancer cells and culture media, but two endosomal proteins, cathepsin B and acid ceramidase, had increased gene and protein expression, and certain molecular forms showed increased secretion from prostate cancer cells (P ≤ 0.05). LIMP-2 gene and protein expression was significantly increased in prostate cancer compared to nonmalignant cell lines (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS While the existing prostate cancer biomarkers and lysosomal proteins investigated here were not able to specifically differentiate between a panel of nonmalignant and prostate cancer cell lines, endosomal proteins showed some discriminatory capacity. LIMP-2 is a critical regulator of endosome biogenesis and the increased expression observed in prostate cancer cells indicated that other endosome related proteins may also be upregulated and could be investigated as novel biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian R Johnson
- Mechanisms in Cell Biology and Disease Research Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Yun SW, Leong C, Bi X, Ha HH, Yu YH, Tan YL, Narayanan G, Sankaran S, Kim JY, Hariharan S, Ahmed S, Chang YT. A fluorescent probe for imaging symmetric and asymmetric cell division in neurosphere formation. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 50:7492-4. [DOI: 10.1039/c4cc02974g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
A fluorescent chemical probe CDy5, which binds to acid ceramidase, is distributed symmetrically or asymmetrically during mitosis of a neural stem/progenitor cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Wook Yun
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
| | - Cheryl Leong
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
- NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering
| | - Xuezhi Bi
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
| | - Hyung-Ho Ha
- Department of Chemistry & NUS MedChem Program of Life Sciences Institute
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Yuan Hong Yu
- Institute of Medical Biology
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
| | - Yee Ling Tan
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
| | | | - Shvetha Sankaran
- Institute of Medical Biology
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
| | - Jun-Young Kim
- Department of Chemistry & NUS MedChem Program of Life Sciences Institute
- National University of Singapore
- Singapore
| | - Srivats Hariharan
- Institute of Medical Biology
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
| | - Sohail Ahmed
- Institute of Medical Biology
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
| | - Young-Tae Chang
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium
- Agency for Science
- Technology and Research
- Singapore
- Department of Chemistry & NUS MedChem Program of Life Sciences Institute
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Acid ceramidase (AC)--a key enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism--correlates with better prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2013; 32:249-57. [PMID: 23518908 DOI: 10.1097/pgp.0b013e3182673982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Acid ceramidase (AC), a key enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism, seems to play an important role in cancer progression. The objective of this study was to explore the expression of AC in ovarian cancer and its impact on prognosis. Expression analysis of AC in n=112 ovarian cancer patients was performed by immunohistochemical analysis of primary paraffin-embedded tumor samples. The results were scored on the basis of the staining intensity and percentage of positive tumor cells, resulting in an immunoreactive score from 0 to 12. These results were correlated to clinical and pathologic characteristics and survival. AC expression correlated significantly only with FIGO stage (0.047). In serous carcinoma, low level of AC was independently associated with reduced progression-free survival and overall survival of 12.0 mo [95% confidence interval (CI), 5.78-18.23] versus 18.1 mo (95% CI, 11.61-24.59; P=0.008) and 35.7 mo (95% CI, 22.24-47.16) versus 58.7 mo (95% CI, 36.48-80.91; P=0.032), respectively. In multivariate analysis, AC presents as an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (hazard ratio 1.88; 95% CI, 1.13-3.11; P=0.015). AC is a prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer. Low AC expression can be associated with tumor progression in carcinoma of the ovaries. These results are in contrast to the concept of AC as a promoter for cancer progression. Nevertheless, they are supported by the lately discovered tumor-suppressing function of sphingosine, the enzymatic product of AC.
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Petersen NHT, Olsen OD, Groth-Pedersen L, Ellegaard AM, Bilgin M, Redmer S, Ostenfeld MS, Ulanet D, Dovmark TH, Lønborg A, Vindeløv SD, Hanahan D, Arenz C, Ejsing CS, Kirkegaard T, Rohde M, Nylandsted J, Jäättelä M. Transformation-associated changes in sphingolipid metabolism sensitize cells to lysosomal cell death induced by inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase. Cancer Cell 2013; 24:379-93. [PMID: 24029234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2013.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 253] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2011] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Lysosomal membrane permeabilization and subsequent cell death may prove useful in cancer treatment, provided that cancer cell lysosomes can be specifically targeted. Here, we identify acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) inhibition as a selective means to destabilize cancer cell lysosomes. Lysosome-destabilizing experimental anticancer agent siramesine inhibits ASM by interfering with the binding of ASM to its essential lysosomal cofactor, bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate. Like siramesine, several clinically relevant ASM inhibitors trigger cancer-specific lysosomal cell death, reduce tumor growth in vivo, and revert multidrug resistance. Their cancer selectivity is associated with transformation-associated reduction in ASM expression and subsequent failure to maintain sphingomyelin hydrolysis during drug exposure. Taken together, these data identify ASM as an attractive target for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaj H T Petersen
- Department of Cell Death and Metabolism, Danish Cancer Society Research Center (DCRC), DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Berndt N, Patel R, Yang H, Balasis ME, Sebti SM. Akt2 and acid ceramidase cooperate to induce cell invasion and resistance to apoptosis. Cell Cycle 2013; 12:2024-32. [PMID: 23777806 DOI: 10.4161/cc.25043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Both Akt 2 and acid ceramidase (ASAH1) are found aberrantly overexpressed in cancer cells, but whether these two enzymes cooperate to induce malignant transformation is not known. We found that in immortalized, non-transformed cells, ectopic co-expression of Akt2 and ASAH1 is significantly more effective than expression of each gene alone at inducing cell invasion and at conferring resistance to apoptosis. Consistent with these observations, siRNA-mediated depletion of both Akt2 and ASAH1 is much more potent than depleting each alone at inhibiting cell viability/proliferation and cell invasion. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibitors of Akt (TCN or MK-2206) and ASAH1 (B13) synergize to inhibit cell viability/proliferation, and combinations of these drugs are more effective than single-agent treatments at inhibiting cell invasion. Taken together, the results suggest that these two enzymes cooperate to induce malignant transformation and warrant further preclinical studies to evaluate the potential of combining inhibitors of Akt and ASAH1 to treat cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Berndt
- Drug Discovery Department and Chemical Biology and Molecular Medicine Program, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA
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Pizzirani D, Pagliuca C, Realini N, Branduardi D, Bottegoni G, Mor M, Bertozzi F, Scarpelli R, Piomelli D, Bandiera T. Discovery of a New Class of Highly Potent Inhibitors of Acid Ceramidase: Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationship (SAR). J Med Chem 2013; 56:3518-30. [DOI: 10.1021/jm301879g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Pizzirani
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Chiara Pagliuca
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Natalia Realini
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Davide Branduardi
- Theoretical Molecular Biophysics
Group, Max Planck Institute for Biophysics, Max-von-Laue Strasse 3, 60438, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Giovanni Bottegoni
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Parma, Viale delle
Scienze 27/A, I-43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Fabio Bertozzi
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Rita Scarpelli
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California—Irvine, Irvine, California
92697-4625, United States
| | - Tiziano Bandiera
- Drug Discovery and Development, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego
30, I-16163 Genova, Italy
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Morad SAF, Madigan JP, Levin JC, Abdelmageed N, Karimi R, Rosenberg DW, Kester M, Shanmugavelandy SS, Cabot MC. Tamoxifen magnifies therapeutic impact of ceramide in human colorectal cancer cells independent of p53. Biochem Pharmacol 2013; 85:1057-65. [PMID: 23353700 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2012] [Revised: 01/16/2013] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Poor prognosis in patients with later stage colorectal cancer (CRC) necessitates the search for new treatment strategies. Ceramide, because of its role in orchestrating death cascades in cancer cells, is a versatile alternative. Ceramide can be generated by exposure to chemotherapy or ionizing radiation, or it can be administered in the form of short-chain analogs (C6-ceramide). Because intracellular P-glycoprotein (P-gp) plays a role in catalyzing the conversion of ceramide to higher sphingolipids, we hypothesized that administration of P-gp antagonists with C6-ceramide would magnify cell death cascades. Human CRC cell lines were employed, HCT-15, HT-29, and LoVo. The addition of either tamoxifen, VX-710, verapamil, or cyclosporin A, antagonists of P-gp, enhanced C6-ceramide cytotoxicity in all cell lines. In depth studies with C6-ceramide and tamoxifen in LoVo cells showed the regimen induced PARP cleavage, caspase-dependent apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization (MMP), and cell cycle arrest at G1 and G2. At the molecular level, the regimen, but not single agents, induced time-dependent upregulation of tumor suppressor protein p53; however, introduction of a p53 inhibitor staved neither MMP nor apoptosis. Nanoliposomal formulations of C6-ceramide and tamoxifen were also effective, yielding synergistic cell kill. We conclude that tamoxifen is a favorable adjuvant for enhancing C6-ceramide cytotoxicity in CRC, and demonstrates uniquely integrated effects. The high frequency of expression of P-gp in CRC presents an adventitious target for complementing ceramide-based therapies, a strategy that could hold promise for treatment of resistant disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samy A F Morad
- John Wayne Cancer Institute, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
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Morad SAF, Messner MC, Levin JC, Abdelmageed N, Park H, Merrill AH, Cabot MC. Potential role of acid ceramidase in conversion of cytostatic to cytotoxic end-point in pancreatic cancer cells. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2012; 71:635-45. [PMID: 23263160 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-012-2050-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acid ceramidase (AC) occupies an important place in the control of cancer cell proliferation. We tested the influence of AC inhibition on the effects of PSC 833, a P-glycoprotein antagonist with potent ceramide-generating capacity, to determine whether AC could be a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. METHODS Ceramide metabolism was followed using (3)H-palmitate, and molecular species were determined by mass spectroscopy. Apoptosis was measured by DNA fragmentation, autophagy by acridine orange staining, and cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry and RB phosphorylation. AC was measured in intact cells using fluorescent substrate. RESULTS Exposure of human PANC-1 or MIA-PaCa-2 cells to PSC 833 promoted increases in de novo (dihydro)ceramides, (dihydro)glucosylceramides, and (dihydro)sphingomyelins, demarking ceramide generation and robust metabolism. Despite the multifold increases in (dihydro)ceramide levels, cells were refractory to PSC 833. However, PSC 833 produced a dose-dependent decrease in DNA synthesis and dose- and time-dependent decreases in RB phosphorylation, consistent with cell cycle arrest as demonstrated at G1. Cytostatic effects of PSC 833 were converted to cytotoxic end-point by acid ceramidase inhibition. Cytotoxicity was accompanied by formation of acridine orange-stained acidic vesicles and an increase in LC3 expression, indicative of autophagic response. Cell death was not reversed by preexposure to myriocin, which blocks PSC 833-induced ceramide generation. CONCLUSION Although the role of ceramide in end-point cytotoxicity is unclear, our results suggest that acid ceramidase is a viable target in pancreatic cancer. We propose that AC inhibition will be effective in concert with other anticancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samy A F Morad
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, John Wayne Cancer Institute, 2200 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
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Bini F, Frati A, Garcia-Gil M, Battistini C, Granado M, Martinesi M, Mainardi M, Vannini E, Luzzati F, Caleo M, Peretto P, Gomez-Muñoz A, Meacci E. New signalling pathway involved in the anti-proliferative action of vitamin D3 and its analogues in human neuroblastoma cells. A role for ceramide kinase. Neuropharmacology 2012; 63:524-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Revised: 04/06/2012] [Accepted: 04/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Eliyahu E, Shtraizent N, Shalgi R, Schuchman EH. Construction of conditional acid ceramidase knockout mice and in vivo effects on oocyte development and fertility. Cell Physiol Biochem 2012; 30:735-48. [PMID: 22854249 DOI: 10.1159/000341453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of resting follicles in the ovary and their successful maturation during development define the fertile female lifespan. Oocytes, enclosed within follicles, are subject to natural selection, and the majority will undergo apoptosis during prenatal life through adulthood. Our previous studies revealed high levels of the lipid hydrolase, acid ceramidase (AC), in human and mouse oocytes, follicular fluid and cumulus cells. In addition, supplementation of in vitro fertilization media with recombinant AC enhanced the survival of oocytes and preimplantation embryos. Herein we constructed and used a conditional knockout mouse model of AC deficiency (cACKO) to further investigate the role of this enzyme in oocyte survival in vivo. Immunohistochemical staining, activity assays, and western blot analysis revealed that AC expression was high in the ovaries of normal mice, particularly in the theca cells. After induction of the AC gene knockout with tamoxifen (TM), AC levels decreased in ovaries, and ceramide was correspondingly elevated. A novel immunostaining method was developed to visualize follicles at various stages, and together with light microscopic examination, the transition of the follicle from the secondary to antral stage was found to be defective in the absence of AC. Western blot analysis showed elevated BAX and PARP expression in TM-treated cACKO mouse ovaries compared to control animals. In parallel, the levels of BCL-2 and anti-Mullerian hormone, a marker of ovarian reserve, were decreased. In addition to the above, there was a significant decrease in fertility observed in the TM-treated cACKO mice. Together, these data suggest that AC plays an important role in the preservation of fertility by maintaining low ceramide levels and preventing apoptosis of theca cells, thereby promoting survival of the follicle during the transition from the secondary to antral stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Eliyahu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, 1425 Madison Avenue, Room 14-20A, New York, NY, USA
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Lodola A, Branduardi D, De Vivo M, Capoferri L, Mor M, Piomelli D, Cavalli A. A catalytic mechanism for cysteine N-terminal nucleophile hydrolases, as revealed by free energy simulations. PLoS One 2012; 7:e32397. [PMID: 22389698 PMCID: PMC3289653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2011] [Accepted: 01/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolases are a superfamily of enzymes specialized in the hydrolytic cleavage of amide bonds. Even though several members of this family are emerging as innovative drug targets for cancer, inflammation, and pain, the processes through which they catalyze amide hydrolysis remains poorly understood. In particular, the catalytic reactions of cysteine Ntn-hydrolases have never been investigated from a mechanistic point of view. In the present study, we used free energy simulations in the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics framework to determine the reaction mechanism of amide hydrolysis catalyzed by the prototypical cysteine Ntn-hydrolase, conjugated bile acid hydrolase (CBAH). The computational analyses, which were confirmed in water and using different CBAH mutants, revealed the existence of a chair-like transition state, which might be one of the specific features of the catalytic cycle of Ntn-hydrolases. Our results offer new insights on Ntn-mediated hydrolysis and suggest possible strategies for the creation of therapeutically useful inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Lodola
- Pharmaceutical Department, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Davide Branduardi
- Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
| | - Marco De Vivo
- Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
| | - Luigi Capoferri
- Pharmaceutical Department, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Marco Mor
- Pharmaceutical Department, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Daniele Piomelli
- Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Andrea Cavalli
- Drug Discovery and Development, Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Zhang H, Li D, Su Y, Jiang S, Xu Y, Jiang K, Cui D. Identification of the N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 1 gene (ASAH1) for susceptibility to schizophrenia in a Han Chinese population. World J Biol Psychiatry 2012; 13:106-13. [PMID: 21375364 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2011.559273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To study the involvement of the N-acylsphingosine amidohydrolase 1 gene (ASAH1) in the susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Han Chinese population. METHODS We performed cDNA microarray analysis to exam the gene expression profile in six schizophrenic patients and six healthy controls. We evaluated the ASAH1 expression levels in 30 subjects with chronic schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls by using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 254 unrelated probands with schizophrenia and their biological parents were also genotyped at three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs3753118, rs3753116, and rs7830490) of the ASAH1 gene for association analysis. RESULTS In the microarray analysis, the ASAH1 gene was down-regulated in all schizophrenic patients compared with healthy controls. In real-time PCR, the ASAH1 expression levels for schizophrenic patients with positive family history were significantly decreased (P = 0.020). In the association analyses, two SNPs (rs7830490 and rs3753118) and one haplotype (rs7830490 (A)-rs3753116 (G)) of ASAH1 showed significant evidence of nominal associations with schizophrenia (P = 0.026; P = 0.046; P = 0.007, respectively). The haplotype remained statistically significant (empirical P = 0.045) after correction for multiple testing. CONCLUSIONS This study supports that the ASAH1 gene may be a potential candidate gene for schizophrenia in Han Chinese subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaihui Zhang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Clinical utility of serum autoantibodies detected by protein microarray in melanoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PROTEOMICS 2011; 2011:413742. [PMID: 22084687 PMCID: PMC3199061 DOI: 10.1155/2011/413742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Better prognostic and predictive markers in melanoma are needed to select patients for therapy. We utilized a dual-lectin affinity chromatography and a natural protein microarray-based analysis to select a subproteome of target glycoproteins to profile serum antibodies against melanoma associated antigens that may predict nodal positivity. We identified 5 melanoma-associated antigens using this microarray coupled to mass spectrometry; GRP75, GRP94, ASAH1, CTSD and LDHB. We evaluated their predictive value for nodal status adjusting for age, gender, Breslow thickness, mitotic rate and ulceration using standard logistic regression. After adjustment, ASAH1, CTSD and LDHB were significantly negatively associated with nodal status (P = 0.0008) and GRP94 was significantly positively associated (P = 0.014). Our best multivariate model for nodal positivity included Breslow thickness, presence of serum anti-ASAH1, anti-LDHB or anti-CTSD, and presence of serum anti-GRP94, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.869. If validated, these results show promise for selecting clinically node negative patients for SLN biopsy. In addition, there is strong potential for glycoprotein microarray to screen serum autoantibodies that may identify patients at high risk of distant metastases or those likely or unlikely to respond to treatment, and these proteins may serve as targets for intervention.
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A biodegradable amphiphilic and cationic triblock copolymer for the delivery of siRNA targeting the acid ceramidase gene for cancer therapy. Biomaterials 2011; 32:3124-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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