@misc{NaserKadowSchumacheretal.2021, author = {Naser, Eyad and Kadow, Stephanie and Schumacher, Fabian and Mohamed, Zainelabdeen H. and Kappe, Christian and Hessler, Gabriele and Pollmeier, Barbara and Kleuser, Burkhard and Arenz, Christoph and Becker, Katrin Anne and Gulbins, Erich and Carpinteiro, Alexander}, title = {Characterization of the small molecule ARC39}, series = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Zweitver{\"o}ffentlichungen der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {6}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-51663}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-516635}, pages = {17}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), a lysosomal enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine, may serve as an investigational tool or a therapeutic intervention to control many diseases. Specific ASM inhibitors are currently not sufficiently characterized. Here, we found that 1-aminodecylidene bis-phosphonic acid (ARC39) specifically and efficiently (>90\%) inhibits both lysosomal and secretory ASM in vitro. Results from investigating sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1/Smpd1) mRNA and ASM protein levels suggested that ARC39 directly inhibits ASM's catalytic activity in cultured cells, a mechanism that differs from that of functional inhibitors of ASM. We further provide evidence that ARC39 dose- and time-dependently inhibits lysosomal ASM in intact cells, and we show that ARC39 also reduces platelet- and ASM-promoted adhesion of tumor cells. The observed toxicity of ARC39 is low at concentrations relevant for ASM inhibition in vitro, and it does not strongly alter the lysosomal compartment or induce phospholipidosis in vitro. When applied intraperitoneally in vivo, even subtoxic high doses administered short-term induced sphingomyelin accumulation only locally in the peritoneal lavage without significant accumulation in plasma, liver, spleen, or brain. These findings require further investigation with other possible chemical modifications. In conclusion, our results indicate that ARC39 potently and selectively inhibits ASM in vitro and highlight the need for developing compounds that can reach tissue concentrations sufficient for ASM inhibition in vivo.}, language = {en} } @article{FinkSchumacherSchlegeletal.2021, author = {Fink, Julian and Schumacher, Fabian and Schlegel, Jan and Stenzel, Philipp and Wigger, Dominik and Sauer, Markus and Kleuser, Burkhard and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Azidosphinganine enables metabolic labeling and detection of sphingolipid de novo synthesis}, series = {Organic \& biomolecular chemistry : an international journal of synthetic, physical and biomolecular organic chemistry}, volume = {19}, journal = {Organic \& biomolecular chemistry : an international journal of synthetic, physical and biomolecular organic chemistry}, number = {10}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {1477-0520}, doi = {10.1039/d0ob02592e}, pages = {2203 -- 2212}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Here were report the combination of biocompatible click chemistry of omega-azidosphinganine with fluorescence microscopy and mass spectrometry as a powerful tool to elaborate the sphingolipid metabolism. The azide probe was efficiently synthesized over 13 steps starting from l-serine in an overall yield of 20\% and was used for live-cell fluorescence imaging of the endoplasmic reticulum in living cells by bioorthogonal click reaction with a DBCO-labeled fluorophore revealing that the incorporated analogue is mainly localized in the endoplasmic membrane like the endogenous species. A LC-MS(/MS)-based microsomal in vitro assay confirmed that omega-azidosphinganine mimics the natural species enabling the identification and analysis of metabolic breakdown products of sphinganine as a key starting intermediate in the complex sphingolipid biosynthetic pathways. Furthermore, the sphinganine-fluorophore conjugate after click reaction was enzymatically tolerated to form its dihydroceramide and ceramide metabolites. Thus, omega-azidosphinganine represents a useful biofunctional tool for metabolic investigations both by in vivo fluorescence imaging of the sphingolipid subcellular localization in the ER and by in vitro high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis. This should reveal novel insights of the molecular mechanisms sphingolipids and their processing enzymes have e.g. in infection.}, language = {en} } @article{NaserKadowSchumacheretal.2021, author = {Naser, Eyad and Kadow, Stephanie and Schumacher, Fabian and Mohamed, Zainelabdeen H. and Kappe, Christian and Hessler, Gabriele and Pollmeier, Barbara and Kleuser, Burkhard and Arenz, Christoph and Becker, Katrin Anne and Gulbins, Erich and Carpinteiro, Alexander}, title = {Characterization of the small molecule ARC39}, series = {Journal of Lipid Research}, volume = {61}, journal = {Journal of Lipid Research}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology}, address = {Bethesda}, issn = {1539-7262}, doi = {10.1194/jlr.RA120000682}, pages = {896 -- 910}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), a lysosomal enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin into ceramide and phosphorylcholine, may serve as an investigational tool or a therapeutic intervention to control many diseases. Specific ASM inhibitors are currently not sufficiently characterized. Here, we found that 1-aminodecylidene bis-phosphonic acid (ARC39) specifically and efficiently (>90\%) inhibits both lysosomal and secretory ASM in vitro. Results from investigating sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1/Smpd1) mRNA and ASM protein levels suggested that ARC39 directly inhibits ASM's catalytic activity in cultured cells, a mechanism that differs from that of functional inhibitors of ASM. We further provide evidence that ARC39 dose- and time-dependently inhibits lysosomal ASM in intact cells, and we show that ARC39 also reduces platelet- and ASM-promoted adhesion of tumor cells. The observed toxicity of ARC39 is low at concentrations relevant for ASM inhibition in vitro, and it does not strongly alter the lysosomal compartment or induce phospholipidosis in vitro. When applied intraperitoneally in vivo, even subtoxic high doses administered short-term induced sphingomyelin accumulation only locally in the peritoneal lavage without significant accumulation in plasma, liver, spleen, or brain. These findings require further investigation with other possible chemical modifications. In conclusion, our results indicate that ARC39 potently and selectively inhibits ASM in vitro and highlight the need for developing compounds that can reach tissue concentrations sufficient for ASM inhibition in vivo.}, language = {en} } @misc{WardelmannRathCastroetal.2021, author = {Wardelmann, Kristina and Rath, Michaela and Castro, Jos{\´e} Pedro and Bl{\"u}mel, Sabine and Schell, Mareike and Hauffe, Robert and Schumacher, Fabian and Flore, Tanina and Ritter, Katrin and Wernitz, Andreas and Hosoi, Toru and Ozawa, Koichiro and Kleuser, Burkhard and Weiß, J{\"u}rgen and Sch{\"u}rmann, Annette and Kleinridders, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Central acting Hsp10 regulates mitochondrial function, fatty acid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the hypothalamus}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {5}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-52298}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-522985}, pages = {24}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Mitochondria are critical for hypothalamic function and regulators of metabolism. Hypothalamic mitochondrial dysfunction with decreased mitochondrial chaperone expression is present in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recently, we demonstrated that a dysregulated mitochondrial stress response (MSR) with reduced chaperone expression in the hypothalamus is an early event in obesity development due to insufficient insulin signaling. Although insulin activates this response and improves metabolism, the metabolic impact of one of its members, the mitochondrial chaperone heat shock protein 10 (Hsp10), is unknown. Thus, we hypothesized that a reduction of Hsp10 in hypothalamic neurons will impair mitochondrial function and impact brain insulin action. Therefore, we investigated the role of chaperone Hsp10 by introducing a lentiviral-mediated Hsp10 knockdown (KD) in the hypothalamic cell line CLU-183 and in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of C57BL/6N male mice. We analyzed mitochondrial function and insulin signaling utilizing qPCR, Western blot, XF96 Analyzer, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy techniques. We show that Hsp10 expression is reduced in T2D mice brains and regulated by leptin in vitro. Hsp10 KD in hypothalamic cells induced mitochondrial dysfunction with altered fatty acid metabolism and increased mitochondria-specific oxidative stress resulting in neuronal insulin resistance. Consequently, the reduction of Hsp10 in the ARC of C57BL/6N mice caused hypothalamic insulin resistance with acute liver insulin resistance.}, language = {en} } @article{WetzelScholtkaSchumacheretal.2021, author = {Wetzel, Alexandra Nicole and Scholtka, Bettina and Schumacher, Fabian and Rawel, Harshadrai Manilal and Geisend{\"o}rfer, Birte and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Epigenetic DNA methylation of EBI3 modulates human interleukin-35 formation via NFkB signaling}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {22}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, number = {10}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms22105329}, pages = {21}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Ulcerative colitis (UC), a severe chronic disease with unclear etiology that is associated with increased risk for colorectal cancer, is accompanied by dysregulation of cytokines. Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) encodes a subunit in the unique heterodimeric IL-12 cytokine family of either pro- or anti-inflammatory function. After having recently demonstrated that upregulation of EBI3 by histone acetylation alleviates disease symptoms in a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mouse model of chronic colitis, we now aimed to examine a possible further epigenetic regulation of EBI3 by DNA methylation under inflammatory conditions. Treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) decitabine (DAC) and TNF alpha led to synergistic upregulation of EBI3 in human colon epithelial cells (HCEC). Use of different signaling pathway inhibitors indicated NF kappa B signaling was necessary and proportional to the synergistic EBI3 induction. MALDI-TOF/MS and HPLC-ESIMS/MS analysis of DAC/TNF alpha-treated HCEC identified IL-12p35 as the most probable binding partner to form a functional protein. EBI3/IL-12p35 heterodimers (IL-35) induce their own gene upregulation, something that was indeed observed in HCEC cultured with media from previously DAC/TNF alpha-treated HCEC. These results suggest that under inflammatory and demethylating conditions the upregulation of EBI3 results in the formation of anti-inflammatory IL-35, which might be considered as a therapeutic target in colitis.}, language = {en} } @article{WardelmannRathCastroetal.2021, author = {Wardelmann, Kristina and Rath, Michaela and Castro, Jos{\´e} Pedro and Bl{\"u}mel, Sabine and Schell, Mareike and Hauffe, Robert and Schumacher, Fabian and Flore, Tanina and Ritter, Katrin and Wernitz, Andreas and Hosoi, Toru and Ozawa, Koichiro and Kleuser, Burkhard and Weiß, J{\"u}rgen and Sch{\"u}rmann, Annette and Kleinridders, Andr{\´e}}, title = {Central acting Hsp10 regulates mitochondrial function, fatty acid metabolism and insulin sensitivity in the hypothalamus}, series = {Antioxidants}, volume = {10}, journal = {Antioxidants}, number = {5}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2076-3921}, doi = {10.3390/antiox10050711}, pages = {22}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Mitochondria are critical for hypothalamic function and regulators of metabolism. Hypothalamic mitochondrial dysfunction with decreased mitochondrial chaperone expression is present in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recently, we demonstrated that a dysregulated mitochondrial stress response (MSR) with reduced chaperone expression in the hypothalamus is an early event in obesity development due to insufficient insulin signaling. Although insulin activates this response and improves metabolism, the metabolic impact of one of its members, the mitochondrial chaperone heat shock protein 10 (Hsp10), is unknown. Thus, we hypothesized that a reduction of Hsp10 in hypothalamic neurons will impair mitochondrial function and impact brain insulin action. Therefore, we investigated the role of chaperone Hsp10 by introducing a lentiviral-mediated Hsp10 knockdown (KD) in the hypothalamic cell line CLU-183 and in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of C57BL/6N male mice. We analyzed mitochondrial function and insulin signaling utilizing qPCR, Western blot, XF96 Analyzer, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy techniques. We show that Hsp10 expression is reduced in T2D mice brains and regulated by leptin in vitro. Hsp10 KD in hypothalamic cells induced mitochondrial dysfunction with altered fatty acid metabolism and increased mitochondria-specific oxidative stress resulting in neuronal insulin resistance. Consequently, the reduction of Hsp10 in the ARC of C57BL/6N mice caused hypothalamic insulin resistance with acute liver insulin resistance.}, language = {en} } @article{WiggerSchumacherSchneiderSchauliesetal.2021, author = {Wigger, Dominik and Schumacher, Fabian and Schneider-Schaulies, Sibylle and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Sphingosine 1-phosphate metabolism and insulin signaling}, series = {Cellular signalling}, volume = {82}, journal = {Cellular signalling}, publisher = {Elsevier Science}, address = {Amsterdam [u.a.]}, issn = {0898-6568}, doi = {10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.109959}, pages = {16}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Insulin is the main anabolic hormone secreted by 13-cells of the pancreas stimulating the assimilation and storage of glucose in muscle and fat cells. It modulates the postprandial balance of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins via enhancing lipogenesis, glycogen and protein synthesis and suppressing glucose generation and its release from the liver. Resistance to insulin is a severe metabolic disorder related to a diminished response of peripheral tissues to the insulin action and signaling. This leads to a disturbed glucose homeostasis that precedes the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D), a disease reaching epidemic proportions. A large number of studies reported an association between elevated circulating fatty acids and the development of insulin resistance. The increased fatty acid lipid flux results in the accumulation of lipid droplets in a variety of tissues. However, lipid intermediates such as diacylglycerols and ceramides are also formed in response to elevated fatty acid levels. These bioactive lipids have been associated with the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. More recently, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), another bioactive sphingolipid derivative, has also been shown to increase in T2D and obesity. Although many studies propose a protective role of S1P metabolism on insulin signaling in peripheral tissues, other studies suggest a causal role of S1P on insulin resistance. In this review, we critically summarize the current state of knowledge of S1P metabolism and its modulating role on insulin resistance. A particular emphasis is placed on S1P and insulin signaling in hepatocytes, skeletal muscle cells, adipocytes and pancreatic 13-cells. In particular, modulation of receptors and enzymes that regulate S1P metabolism can be considered as a new therapeutic option for the treatment of insulin resistance and T2D.}, language = {en} } @article{HalilbasicFuerstHeidenetal.2020, author = {Halilbasic, Emina and Fuerst, Elisabeth and Heiden, Denise and Japtok, Lukasz and Diesner, Susanne C. and Trauner, Michael and Kulu, Askin and Jaksch, Peter and Hoetzenecker, Konrad and Kleuser, Burkhard and Kazemi-Shirazi, Lili and Untersmayr, Eva}, title = {Plasma levels of the bioactive sphingolipid metabolite S1P in adult cystic fibrosis patients}, series = {Nutrients}, volume = {12}, journal = {Nutrients}, number = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-6643}, doi = {10.3390/nu12030765}, pages = {11}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Recent research has linked sphingolipid (SL) metabolism with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) activity, affecting bioactive lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). We hypothesize that loss of CFTR function in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients influenced plasma S1P levels. Total and unbound plasma S1P levels were measured in 20 lung-transplanted adult CF patients and 20 healthy controls by mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). S1P levels were correlated with CFTR genotype, routine laboratory parameters, lung function and pathogen colonization, and clinical symptoms. Compared to controls, CF patients showed lower unbound plasma S1P, whereas total S1P levels did not differ. A positive correlation of total and unbound S1P levels was found in healthy controls, but not in CF patients. Higher unbound S1P levels were measured in Delta F508-homozygous compared to Delta F508-heterozygous CF patients (p = 0.038), accompanied by higher levels of HDL in Delta F508-heterozygous patients. Gastrointestinal symptoms were more common in Delta F508 heterozygotes compared to Delta F508 homozygotes. This is the first clinical study linking plasma S1P levels with CFTR function and clinical presentation in adult CF patients. Given the emerging role of immunonutrition in CF, our study might pave the way for using S1P as a novel biomarker and nutritional target in CF.}, language = {en} } @article{WetzelScholtkaGereckeetal.2020, author = {Wetzel, Alexandra Nicole and Scholtka, Bettina and Gerecke, Christian and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Epigenetic histone modulation contributes to improvements in inflammatory bowel disease via EBI3}, series = {Cellular and molecular life sciences}, volume = {77}, journal = {Cellular and molecular life sciences}, number = {23}, publisher = {Springer International Publishing AG}, address = {Cham (ZG)}, issn = {1420-682X}, doi = {10.1007/s00018-020-03451-9}, pages = {5017 -- 5030}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by relapsing-remitting inflammatory episodes paralleled by varying cytokine levels, suggesting that switching epigenetic processes might be involved. However, the epigenetic impact on cytokine levels in colitis is mostly unexplored. The heterodimeric interleukin (IL)-12 cytokine family have various functions in both pro- and anti-inflammatory processes. The family member IL-35 (EBI3/IL-12p35) was recently reported to play an anti-inflammatory role in UC. Therefore, we aimed to investigate a possible epigenetic regulation of the IL-35 subunits in vitro and in vivo, and to examine the epigenetic targeting of EBI3 expression as a therapeutic option for UC. Exposure to either the pro-inflammatory TNF alpha or to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) significantly increased EBI3 expression in Human Colon Epithelial Cells (HCEC) generated from healthy tissue. When applied in combination, a drastic upregulation of EBI3 expression occurred, suggesting a synergistic mechanism. Consequently, IL-35 was increased as well. In vivo, the intestines of HDACi-treated wild-type mice exhibited reduced pathological signs of colitis compared to non-treated colitic mice. However, the improvement by HDACi treatment was completely lost in Ebi3-deficient mice (Ebi3(-/-)). In fact, HDACi appeared to exacerbate the disease phenotype in Ebi3(-/-). In conclusion, our results reveal that under inflammatory conditions, EBI3 is upregulated by the epigenetic mechanism of histone acetylation. The in vivo data show that the deficiency of EBI3 plays a key role in colitis manifestation. Concordantly, our data suggest that conditions promoting histone acetylation, such as upon HDACi application, improve colitis by a mechanism involving the local formation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-35.}, language = {en} } @article{StepanovskaZivkovicEnzmannetal.2020, author = {Stepanovska, Bisera and Zivkovic, Aleksandra and Enzmann, Gaby and Tietz, Silvia and Homann, Thomas and Kleuser, Burkhard and Engelhardt, Britta and Stark, Holger and Huwiler, Andrea}, title = {Morpholino analogues of fingolimod as novel and selective S1P1 ligands with in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of experimental antigen-induced encephalomyelitis}, series = {International journal of molecular sciences}, volume = {21}, journal = {International journal of molecular sciences}, number = {18}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms21186463}, pages = {17}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which is associated with lower life expectancy and disability. The experimental antigen-induced encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice is a useful animal model of MS, which allows exploring the etiopathogenetic mechanisms and testing novel potential therapeutic drugs. A new therapeutic paradigm for the treatment of MS was introduced in 2010 through the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) analogue fingolimod (FTY720, Gilenya(R)), which acts as a functional S1P(1) antagonist on T lymphocytes to deplete these cells from the blood. In this study, we synthesized two novel structures, ST-1893 and ST-1894, which are derived from fingolimod and chemically feature a morpholine ring in the polar head group. These compounds showed a selective S1P(1) activation profile and a sustained S1P(1) internalization in cultures of S1P(1)-overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells, consistent with a functional antagonism. In vivo, both compounds induced a profound lymphopenia in mice. Finally, these substances showed efficacy in the EAE model, where they reduced clinical symptoms of the disease, and, on the molecular level, they reduced the T-cell infiltration and several inflammatory mediators in the brain and spinal cord. In summary, these data suggest that S1P(1)-selective compounds may have an advantage over fingolimod and siponimod, not only in MS but also in other autoimmune diseases.}, language = {en} }