@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}
}
@misc{LangBohnBhatetal.2020,
  author    = {Lang, Judith and Bohn, Patrick and Bhat, Hilal and Jastrow, Holger and Walkenfort, Bernd and Cansiz, Feyza and Fink, Julian and Bauer, Michael and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Lang, Karl S.},
  title     = {Acid ceramidase of macrophages traps herpes simplex virus in multivesicular bodies and protects from severe disease},
  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    = {1},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51566},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-515661},
  pages     = {17},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Macrophages have important protective functions during infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, molecular mechanisms that restrict viral propagation and protect from severe disease are unclear. Here we show that macrophages take up HSV-1 via endocytosis and transport the virions into multivesicular bodies (MVBs). In MVBs, acid ceramidase (aCDase) converts ceramide into sphingosine and increases the formation of sphingosine-rich intraluminal vesicles (ILVs). Once HSV-1 particles reach MVBs, sphingosine-rich ILVs bind to HSV-1 particles, which restricts fusion with the limiting endosomal membrane and prevents cellular infection. Lack of aCDase in macrophage cultures or in Asah1(-/-) mice results in replication of HSV-1 and Asah1(-/-) mice die soon after systemic or intravaginal inoculation. The treatment of macrophages with sphingosine enhancing compounds blocks HSV-1 propagation, suggesting a therapeutic potential of this pathway. In conclusion, aCDase loads ILVs with sphingosine, which prevents HSV-1 capsids from penetrating into the cytosol.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SamahaHamdoCongetal.2020,
  author    = {Samaha, Doaa and Hamdo, Housam H. and Cong, Xiaojing and Schumacher, Fabian and Banhart, Sebastian and Aglar, {\"O}znur and M{\"o}ller, Heiko Michael and Heuer, Dagmar and Kleuser, Burkhard and Saied, Essa M. and Arenz, Christoph},
  title     = {Liposomal FRET assay identifies potent drug-like inhibitors of the Ceramide Transport Protein (CERT)},
  series = {Chemistry - a European journal},
  volume    = {26},
  journal   = {Chemistry - a European journal},
  number    = {70},
  publisher = {Wiley-VCH},
  address   = {Weinheim},
  issn      = {0947-6539},
  doi       = {10.1002/chem.202003283},
  pages     = {16616 -- 16621},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Ceramide transfer protein (CERT) mediates non-vesicular transfer of ceramide from endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi apparatus and thus catalyzes the rate-limiting step of sphingomyelin biosynthesis. Usually, CERT ligands are evaluated in tedious binding assays or non-homogenous transfer assays using radiolabeled ceramides. Herein, a facile and sensitive assay for CERT, based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), is presented. To this end, we mixed donor and acceptor vesicles, each containing a different fluorescent ceramide species. By CERT-mediated transfer of fluorescent ceramide, a FRET system was established, which allows readout in 96-well plate format, despite the high hydrophobicity of the components. Screening of a 2 000 compound library resulted in two new potent CERT inhibitors. One is approved for use in humans and one is approved for use in animals. Evaluation of cellular activity by quantitative mass spectrometry and confocal microscopy showed inhibition of ceramide trafficking and sphingomyelin biosynthesis.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{LangBohnBhatetal.2020,
  author    = {Lang, Judith and Bohn, Patrick and Bhat, Hilal and Jastrow, Holger and Walkenfort, Bernd and Cansiz, Feyza and Fink, Julian and Bauer, Michael and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Lang, Karl S.},
  title     = {Acid ceramidase of macrophages traps herpes simplex virus in multivesicular bodies and protects from severe disease},
  series = {Nature Communications},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Nature Communications},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Nature Publishing Group UK},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {2041-1723},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41467-020-15072-8},
  pages     = {1 -- 15},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Macrophages have important protective functions during infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, molecular mechanisms that restrict viral propagation and protect from severe disease are unclear. Here we show that macrophages take up HSV-1 via endocytosis and transport the virions into multivesicular bodies (MVBs). In MVBs, acid ceramidase (aCDase) converts ceramide into sphingosine and increases the formation of sphingosine-rich intraluminal vesicles (ILVs). Once HSV-1 particles reach MVBs, sphingosine-rich ILVs bind to HSV-1 particles, which restricts fusion with the limiting endosomal membrane and prevents cellular infection. Lack of aCDase in macrophage cultures or in Asah1(-/-) mice results in replication of HSV-1 and Asah1(-/-) mice die soon after systemic or intravaginal inoculation. The treatment of macrophages with sphingosine enhancing compounds blocks HSV-1 propagation, suggesting a therapeutic potential of this pathway. In conclusion, aCDase loads ILVs with sphingosine, which prevents HSV-1 capsids from penetrating into the cytosol.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{ZoicasSchumacherKleuseretal.2020,
  author    = {Zoicas, Iulia and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Reichel, Martin and Gulbins, Erich and Fejtova, Anna and Kornhuber, Johannes and Rhein, Cosima},
  title     = {The forebrain-specific overexpression of acid sphingomyelinase induces depressive-like symptoms in mice},
  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-52436},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-524368},
  pages     = {14},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Human and murine studies identified the lysosomal enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) as a target for antidepressant therapy and revealed its role in the pathophysiology of major depression. In this study, we generated a mouse model with overexpression of Asm (Asm-tg(fb)) that is restricted to the forebrain to rule out any systemic effects of Asm overexpression on depressive-like symptoms. The increase in Asm activity was higher in male Asm-tg(fb) mice than in female Asm-tg(fb) mice due to the breeding strategy, which allows for the generation of wild-type littermates as appropriate controls. Asm overexpression in the forebrain of male mice resulted in a depressive-like phenotype, whereas in female mice, Asm overexpression resulted in a social anxiogenic-like phenotype. Ceramides in male Asm-tg(fb) mice were elevated specifically in the dorsal hippocampus. mRNA expression analyses indicated that the increase in Asm activity affected other ceramide-generating pathways, which might help to balance ceramide levels in cortical brain regions. This forebrain-specific mouse model offers a novel tool for dissecting the molecular mechanisms that play a role in the pathophysiology of major depression.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ZoicasSchumacherKleuseretal.2020,
  author    = {Zoicas, Iulia and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Reichel, Martin and Gulbins, Erich and Fejtova, Anna and Kornhuber, Johannes and Rhein, Cosima},
  title     = {The forebrain-specific overexpression of acid sphingomyelinase induces depressive-like symptoms in mice},
  series = {Cells},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Cells},
  number    = {5},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Human and murine studies identified the lysosomal enzyme acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) as a target for antidepressant therapy and revealed its role in the pathophysiology of major depression. In this study, we generated a mouse model with overexpression of Asm (Asm-tg(fb)) that is restricted to the forebrain to rule out any systemic effects of Asm overexpression on depressive-like symptoms. The increase in Asm activity was higher in male Asm-tg(fb) mice than in female Asm-tg(fb) mice due to the breeding strategy, which allows for the generation of wild-type littermates as appropriate controls. Asm overexpression in the forebrain of male mice resulted in a depressive-like phenotype, whereas in female mice, Asm overexpression resulted in a social anxiogenic-like phenotype. Ceramides in male Asm-tg(fb) mice were elevated specifically in the dorsal hippocampus. mRNA expression analyses indicated that the increase in Asm activity affected other ceramide-generating pathways, which might help to balance ceramide levels in cortical brain regions. This forebrain-specific mouse model offers a novel tool for dissecting the molecular mechanisms that play a role in the pathophysiology of major depression.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{DwiPutraReichetzederHasanetal.2020,
  author    = {Dwi Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Hasan, Ahmed Abdallah Abdalrahman Mohamed and Slowinski, Torsten and Chu, Chang and Kr{\"a}mer, Bernhard K. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Being born large for gestational age is associated with increased global placental DNA methylation},
  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    = {1},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51628},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-516289},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Being born small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) is associated with adverse birth outcomes and metabolic diseases in later life of the offspring. It is known that aberrations in growth during gestation are related to altered placental function. Placental function is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Several studies in recent years have demonstrated associations between altered patterns of DNA methylation and adverse birth outcomes. However, larger studies that reliably investigated global DNA methylation are lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation in relationship to size for gestational age. Global DNA methylation was assessed in 1023 placental samples by LC-MS/MS. LGA offspring displayed significantly higher global placental DNA methylation compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA; p<0.001). ANCOVA analyses adjusted for known factors impacting on DNA methylation demonstrated an independent association between placental global DNA methylation and LGA births (p<0.001). Tertile stratification according to global placental DNA methylation levels revealed a significantly higher frequency of LGA births in the third tertile. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis corrected for known factors influencing birth weight highlighted an independent positive association between global placental DNA methylation and the frequency of LGA births (p=0.001).},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DwiPutraReichetzederHasanetal.2020,
  author    = {Dwi Putra, Sulistyo Emantoko and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Hasan, Ahmed Abdallah Abdalrahman Mohamed and Slowinski, Torsten and Chu, Chang and Kr{\"a}mer, Bernhard K. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Hocher, Berthold},
  title     = {Being born large for gestational age is associated with increased global placental DNA methylation},
  series = {Scientific Reports},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Scientific Reports},
  number    = {1},
  publisher = {Springer Nature},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {2045-2322},
  doi       = {10.1038/s41598-020-57725-0},
  pages     = {1 -- 10},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Being born small (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) is associated with adverse birth outcomes and metabolic diseases in later life of the offspring. It is known that aberrations in growth during gestation are related to altered placental function. Placental function is regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Several studies in recent years have demonstrated associations between altered patterns of DNA methylation and adverse birth outcomes. However, larger studies that reliably investigated global DNA methylation are lacking. The aim of this study was to characterize global placental DNA methylation in relationship to size for gestational age. Global DNA methylation was assessed in 1023 placental samples by LC-MS/MS. LGA offspring displayed significantly higher global placental DNA methylation compared to appropriate for gestational age (AGA; p<0.001). ANCOVA analyses adjusted for known factors impacting on DNA methylation demonstrated an independent association between placental global DNA methylation and LGA births (p<0.001). Tertile stratification according to global placental DNA methylation levels revealed a significantly higher frequency of LGA births in the third tertile. Furthermore, a multiple logistic regression analysis corrected for known factors influencing birth weight highlighted an independent positive association between global placental DNA methylation and the frequency of LGA births (p=0.001).},
  language  = {en}
}