@article{BalzusSahleHoenzkeetal.2017,
  author    = {Balzus, Benjamin and Sahle, Fitsum Feleke and H{\"o}nzke, Stefan and Gerecke, Christian and Schumacher, Fabian and Hedtrich, Sarah and Kleuser, Burkhard and Bodmeier, Roland},
  title     = {Formulation and ex vivo evaluation of polymeric nanoparticles for controlled delivery of corticosteroids to the skin and the corneal epithelium},
  series = {European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : EJPB ; official journal of the International Association for Pharmaceutical Technology},
  volume    = {115},
  journal   = {European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics : EJPB ; official journal of the International Association for Pharmaceutical Technology},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {0939-6411},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.02.001},
  pages     = {122 -- 130},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Controlled delivery of corticosteroids using nanoparticles to the skin and corneal epithelium may reduce their side effects and maximize treatment effectiveness. Dexamethasone-loaded ethyl cellulose, Eudragit® RS and ethyl cellulose/Eudragit® RS nanoparticles were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. Dexamethasone release from the polymeric nanoparticles was investigated in vitro using Franz diffusion cells. Drug penetration was also assessed ex vivo using excised human skin. Nanoparticle toxicity was determined by MTT and H2DCFDA assays. Eudragit® RS nanoparticles were smaller and positively charged but had a lower dexamethasone loading capacity (0.3-0.7\%) than ethyl cellulose nanoparticles (1.4-2.2\%). By blending the two polymers (1:1), small (105 nm), positively charged (+37 mV) nanoparticles with sufficient dexamethasone loading (1.3\%) were obtained. Dexamethasone release and penetration significantly decreased with decreasing drug to polymer ratio and increased when Eudragit® RS was blended with ethyl cellulose. Ex vivo, drug release and penetration from the nanoparticles was slower than a conventional cream. The nanoparticles bear no toxicity potentials except ethyl cellulose nanoparticles had ROS generation potential at high concentration. In conclusion, the nanoparticles showed great potential to control the release and penetration of corticosteroids on the skin and mucus membrane and maximize treatment effectiveness.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{DoegeSchumacherBalzusetal.2017,
  author    = {D{\"o}ge, Nadine and Schumacher, Fabian and Balzus, Benjamin and Colombo, Miriam and Hadam, Sabrina and Rancan, Fiorenza and Blume-Peytavi, Ulrike and Kleuser, Burkhard and Bodmeier, Roland and Vogt, Annika},
  title     = {Particle- based formulations and controlled skin barrier disruption have a signifi cant impact on the delivery and penetration kinetics of dexamethasone as assessed in an ex vivo microdialysis},
  series = {Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft},
  volume    = {15},
  journal   = {Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft},
  publisher = {Wiley},
  address   = {Berlin},
  issn      = {1610-0379},
  pages     = {182 -- 182},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Preclinical assessment of penetration not only in intact, but also in barrier-disrupted skin is important to explore the surplus value of novel drug delivery systems, which can be specifically designed for diseased skin. Here, we characterized physical and chemical barrier disruption protocols for short-term ex vivo skin cultures with regard to structural integrity, physiological and biological parameters. Further, we compared the penetration of dexamethasone (Dex) in different nanoparticle-based formulations in stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis extracts of intact vs. barrier-disrupted skin as well as by dermal microdialysis at 6, 12 and 24 hours after topical application. Dex was quantified by liquid-chromatography - tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Simultaneously, we investigated the Dex efficacy by interleukin (IL) analysis. Tape-stripping (TS) and 4 hours sodium lauryl sulfate 5 \% (SLS) exposure were identified as highly effective barrier disruption methods assessed by reproducible transepidermal water loss (TEWL) changes and IL-6/8 increase which was more pronounced in SLS-treated skin. The barrier state has also a significant impact on the Dex penetration kinetics: for all formulations, TS highly increased dermal Dex concentration despite the fact that nanocrystals quickly and effectively penetrated both, intact and barrier-disrupted skin reaching significantly higher dermal Dex concentration after 6 hours compared to Dex cream. The surplus value of encapsulation in ethyl cellulose nanocarriers could mostly be observed when applied on intact skin, in general showing a delayed Dex penetration. Estimation of cytokines was limited due to the trauma caused by probe insertion. In summary, ex vivo human skin is a highly interesting short-term preclinical model for the analysis of penetration and efficacy of novel drug delivery systems.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{FayyazJaptokSchumacheretal.2017,
  author    = {Fayyaz, Susann and Japtok, Lukasz and Schumacher, Fabian and Wigger, Dominik and Schulz, Tim Julius and Haubold, Kathrin and Gulbins, Erich and V{\"o}ller, Heinz and Kleuser, Burkhard},
  title     = {Lysophosphatidic acid inhibits insulin signaling in primary rat hepatocytes via the LPA(3) receptor subtype and is increased in obesity},
  series = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology},
  volume    = {43},
  journal   = {Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology},
  publisher = {Karger},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {1015-8987},
  doi       = {10.1159/000480470},
  pages     = {445 -- 456},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background/Aims: Obesity is a main risk factor for the development of hepatic insulin resistance and it is accompanied by adipocyte hypertrophy and an elevated expression of different adipokines such as autotaxin (ATX). ATX converts lysophosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and acts as the main producer of extracellular LPA. This bioactive lipid regulates a broad range of physiological and pathological responses by activation of LPA receptors (LPA1-6). Methods: The activation of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) signaling (Akt and GSK-3ß) was analyzed via western blotting in primary rat hepatocytes. Incorporation of glucose into glycogen was measured by using radio labeled glucose. Real-time PCR analysis and pharmacological modulation of LPA receptors were performed. Human plasma LPA levels of obese (BMI > 30, n = 18) and normal weight individuals (BMI 18.5-25, n = 14) were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Results: Pretreatment of primary hepatocytes with LPA resulted in an inhibition of insulin-mediated Gck expression, PI3K activation and glycogen synthesis. Pharmacological approaches revealed that the LPA3-receptor subtype is responsible for the inhibitory effect of LPA on insulin signaling. Moreover, human plasma LPA concentrations (16: 0 LPA) of obese participants (BMI > 30) are significantly elevated in comparison to normal weight individuals (BMI 18.5-25). Conclusion: LPA is able to interrupt insulin signaling in primary rat hepatocytes via the LPA3 receptor subtype. Moreover, the bioactive lipid LPA (16: 0) is increased in obesity.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{FolkessonVorkapicGulbinsetal.2017,
  author    = {Folkesson, Maggie and Vorkapic, Emina and Gulbins, Erich and Japtok, Lukasz and Kleuser, Burkhard and Welander, Martin and L{\"a}nne, Toste and W{\aa}gs{\"a}ter, Dick},
  title     = {Inflammatory cells, ceramides, and expression of proteases in perivascular adipose tissue adjacent to human abdominal aortic aneurysms},
  series = {Journal of vascular surgery},
  volume    = {65},
  journal   = {Journal of vascular surgery},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {New York},
  issn      = {0741-5214},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.jvs.2015.12.056},
  pages     = {1171 -- 1179},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a deadly irreversible weakening and distension of the abdominal aortic wall. The pathogenesis of AAA remains poorly understood. Investigation into the physical and molecular characteristics of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) adjacent to AAA has not been done before and is the purpose of this study. Methods and Results: Human aortae, periaortic PVAT, and fat surrounding peripheral arteries were collected from patients undergoing elective surgical repair of AAA. Control aortas were obtained from recently deceased healthy organ donors with no known arterial disease. Aorta and PVAT was found in AAA to larger extent compared with control aortas. Immunohistochemistry revealed neutrophils, macrophages, mast cells, and T-cells surrounding necrotic adipocytes. Gene expression analysis showed that neutrophils, mast cells, and T-cells were found to be increased in PVAT compared with AAA as well as cathepsin K and S. The concentration of ceramides in PVAT was determined using mass spectrometry and correlated with content of T-cells in the PVAT. Conclusions: Our results suggest a role for abnormal necrotic, inflamed, proteolytic adipose tissue to the adjacent aneurysmal aortic wall in ongoing vascular damage.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GereckeEdlichGiulbudagianetal.2017,
  author    = {Gerecke, Christian and Edlich, Alexander and Giulbudagian, Michael and Schumacher, Fabian and Zhang, Nan and Said, Andre and Yealland, Guy and Lohan, Silke B. and Neumann, Falko and Meinke, Martina C. and Ma, Nan and Calderon, Marcelo and Hedtrich, Sarah and Schaefer-Korting, Monika and Kleuser, Burkhard},
  title     = {Biocompatibility and characterization of polyglycerol-based thermoresponsive nanogels designed as novel drug-delivery systems and their intracellular localization in keratinocytes},
  series = {Nanotoxicology},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Nanotoxicology},
  publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group},
  address   = {Abingdon},
  issn      = {1743-5390},
  doi       = {10.1080/17435390.2017.1292371},
  pages     = {267 -- 277},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Novel nanogels that possess the capacity to change their physico-chemical properties in response to external stimuli are promising drug-delivery candidates for the treatment of severe skin diseases. As thermoresponsive nanogels (tNGs) are capable of enhancing penetration through biological barriers such as the stratum corneum and are taken up by keratinocytes of human skin, potential adverse consequences of their exposure must be elucidated. In this study, tNGs were synthesized from dendritic polyglycerol (dPG) and two thermoresponsive polymers. tNG_dPG_tPG are the combination of dPG with poly(glycidyl methyl ether-co-ethyl glycidyl ether) (p(GME-co-EGE)) and tNG_dPG_pNIPAM the one with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM). Both thermoresponsive nanogels are able to incorporate high amounts of dexamethasone and tacrolimus, drugs used in the treatment of severe skin diseases. Cellular uptake, intracellular localization and the toxicological properties of the tNGs were comprehensively characterized in primary normal human keratinocytes (NHK) and in spontaneously transformed aneuploid immortal keratinocyte cell line from adult human skin (HaCaT). Laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed fluorescently labeled tNGs entered into the cells and localized predominantly within lysosomal compartments. MTT assay, comet assay and carboxy-H2DCFDA assay, demonstrated neither cytotoxic or genotoxic effects, nor any induction of reactive oxygen species of the tNGs in keratinocytes. In addition, both tNGs were devoid of eye irritation potential as shown by bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) test and red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis assay. Therefore, our study provides evidence that tNGs are locally well tolerated and underlines their potential for cutaneous drug delivery.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{GereckeEdlichGiulbudagianetal.2017,
  author    = {Gerecke, Christian and Edlich, Alexander and Giulbudagian, Michael and Schumacher, Fabian and Zhang, Nan and Said, Andre and Yealland, Guy and Lohan, Silke B. and Neumann, Falko and Meinke, Martina C. and Ma, Nan and Calder{\´o}n, Marcelo and Hedtrich, Sarah and Sch{\"a}fer-Korting, Monika and Kleuser, Burkhard},
  title     = {Biocompatibility and characterization of polyglycerol-based thermoresponsive nanogels designed as novel drug-delivery systems and their intracellular localization in keratinocytes},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-395325},
  pages     = {11},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Novel nanogels that possess the capacity to change their physico-chemical properties in response to external stimuli are promising drug-delivery candidates for the treatment of severe skin diseases. As thermoresponsive nanogels (tNGs) are capable of enhancing penetration through biological barriers such as the stratum corneum and are taken up by keratinocytes of human skin, potential adverse consequences of their exposure must be elucidated. In this study, tNGs were synthesized from dendritic polyglycerol (dPG) and two thermoresponsive polymers. tNG_dPG_tPG are the combination of dPG with poly(glycidyl methyl ether-co-ethyl glycidyl ether) (p(GME-co-EGE)) and tNG_dPG_pNIPAM the one with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAM). Both thermoresponsive nanogels are able to incorporate high amounts of dexamethasone and tacrolimus, drugs used in the treatment of severe skin diseases. Cellular uptake, intracellular localization and the toxicological properties of the tNGs were comprehensively characterized in primary normal human keratinocytes (NHK) and in spontaneously transformed aneuploid immortal keratinocyte cell line from adult human skin (HaCaT). Laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed fluorescently labeled tNGs entered into the cells and localized predominantly within lysosomal compartments. MTT assay, comet assay and carboxy-H2DCFDA assay, demonstrated neither cytotoxic or genotoxic effects, nor any induction of reactive oxygen species of the tNGs in keratinocytes. In addition, both tNGs were devoid of eye irritation potential as shown by bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) test and red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis assay. Therefore, our study provides evidence that tNGs are locally well tolerated and underlines their potential for cutaneous drug delivery.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{HalibasicFuerstHeidenetal.2017,
  author    = {Halibasic, Emina and Fuerst, Elisabeth and Heiden, Denis and Japtok, Lukasz and Diesner, Susanne C. and Hillebrand, P. and Trauner, Michael and Kleuser, Burkhard and Kazemi-Shirazi, Lili and Untersmayr, Eva},
  title     = {Significantly reduced plasma levels of the bioactive sphingolipid S1P in lung transplanted cystic fibrosis patients are associated with gastrointestinal symptoms},
  series = {Allergy},
  volume    = {72},
  journal   = {Allergy},
  number    = {S103},
  publisher = {Wiley},
  address   = {Hoboken},
  issn      = {0105-4538},
  pages     = {195 -- 195},
  year      = {2017},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{HocherReichetzederDwiPutraetal.2017,
  author    = {Hocher, Berthold and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Dwi Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko and Slowinski, Torsten and Neuber, Corinna and Kleuser, Burkhard and Pfab, Thiemo},
  title     = {Increased global placental DNA methylation levels are associated with gestational diabetes},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-400914},
  pages     = {10},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is known that GDM is associated with an altered placental function and changes in placental gene regulation. More recent studies demonstrated an involvement of epigenetic mechanisms. So far, the focus regarding placental epigenetic changes in GDM was set on gene-specific DNA methylation analyses. Studies that robustly investigated placental global DNA methylation are lacking. However, several studies showed that tissue-specific alterations in global DNA methylation are independently associated with type 2 diabetes. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation by robustly measuring placental DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC) content and to examine whether differences in placental global DNA methylation are associated with GDM. Methods: Global DNA methylation was quantified by the current gold standard method, LC-MS/MS. In total, 1030 placental samples were analyzed in this single-center birth cohort study. Results: Mothers with GDM displayed a significantly increased global placental DNA methylation (3.22 ± 0.63 vs. 3.00 ± 0.46 \%; p = 0.013; ±SD). Bivariate logistic regression showed a highly significant positive correlation between global placental DNA methylation and the presence of GDM (p = 0.0009). Quintile stratification according to placental DNA 5mC levels revealed that the frequency of GDM was evenly distributed in quintiles 1-4 (2.9-5.3 \%), whereas the frequency in the fifth quintile was significantly higher (10.7 \%; p = 0.003). Bivariate logistic models adjusted for maternal age, BMI, ethnicity, recurrent miscarriages, and familiar diabetes predisposition clearly demonstrated an independent association between global placental DNA hypermethylation and GDM. Furthermore, an ANCOVA model considering known predictors of DNA methylation substantiated an independent association between GDM and placental DNA methylation. Conclusions: This is the first study that employed a robust quantitative assessment of placental global DNA methylation in over a thousand placental samples. The study provides large scale evidence that placental global DNA hypermethylation is associated with GDM, independent of established risk factors.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HoehnJerniganJaptoketal.2017,
  author    = {Hoehn, Richard S. and Jernigan, Peter L. and Japtok, Lukasz and Chang, Alex L. and Midura, Emily F. and Caldwell, Charles C. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Lentsch, Alex B. and Edwards, Michael J. and Gulbins, Erich and Pritts, Timothy A.},
  title     = {Acid sphingomyelinase inhibition in stored erythrocytes reduces transfusion-associated lung inflammation},
  series = {Annals of surgery : a monthly review of surgical science and practice},
  volume    = {265},
  journal   = {Annals of surgery : a monthly review of surgical science and practice},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins},
  address   = {Philadelphia},
  issn      = {0003-4932},
  doi       = {10.1097/SLA.0000000000001648},
  pages     = {218 -- 226},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {Objective: We aimed to identify the role of the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase in the aging of stored units of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) and subsequent lung inflammation after transfusion. Summary Background Data: Large volume pRBC transfusions are associated with multiple adverse clinical sequelae, including lung inflammation. Microparticles are formed in stored pRBCs over time and have been shown to contribute to lung inflammation after transfusion. Methods: Human and murine pRBCs were stored with or without amitriptyline, a functional inhibitor of acid sphingomyelinase, or obtained from acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice, and lung inflammation was studied in mice receiving transfusions of pRBCs and microparticles isolated from these units. Results: Acid sphingomyelinase activity in pRBCs was associated with the formation of ceramide and the release of microparticles. Treatment of pRBCs with amitriptyline inhibited acid sphingomyelinase activity, ceramide accumulation, and microparticle production during pRBC storage. Transfusion of aged pRBCs or microparticles isolated from aged blood into mice caused lung inflammation. This was attenuated after transfusion of pRBCs treated with amitriptyline or from acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice. Conclusions: Acid sphingomyelinase inhibition in stored pRBCs offers a novel mechanism for improving the quality of stored blood.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{KachlerBailerHeimetal.2017,
  author    = {Kachler, Katerina and Bailer, Maximilian and Heim, Lisanne and Schumacher, Fabian and Reichel, Martin and Holzinger, Corinna D. and Trump, Sonja and Mittler, Susanne and Monti, Juliana and Trufa, Denis I. and Rieker, Ralf J. and Hartmann, Arndt and Sirbu, Horia and Kleuser, Burkhard and Kornhuber, Johannes and Finotto, Susetta},
  title     = {Enhanced acid sphingomyelinase activity drives immune evasion and tumor growth in non-small cell lung carcinoma},
  series = {Cancer research},
  volume    = {77},
  journal   = {Cancer research},
  number    = {21},
  publisher = {American Association for Cancer Research},
  address   = {Philadelphia},
  issn      = {0008-5472},
  doi       = {10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-16-3313},
  pages     = {5963 -- 5976},
  year      = {2017},
  abstract  = {The lipid hydrolase enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) is required for the conversion of the lipid cell membrane component sphingomyelin into ceramide. In cancer cells, ASM-mediated ceramide production is important for apoptosis, cell proliferation, and immune modulation, highlighting ASM as a potential multimodal therapeutic target. In this study, we demonstrate elevated ASM activity in the lung tumor environment and blood serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). RNAi-mediated attenuation of SMPD1 in human NSCLC cells rendered them resistant to serum starvation-induced apoptosis. In a murine model of lung adenocarcinoma, ASM deficiency reduced tumor development in a manner associated with significant enhancement of Th1-mediated and cytotoxic T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Our findings indicate that targeting ASM in NSCLC can act by tumor cell-intrinsic and-extrinsic mechanisms to suppress tumor cell growth, most notably by enabling an effective antitumor immune response by the host. (C) 2017 AACR.},
  language  = {en}
}