@article{GereckeSchumacherBerndzenetal.2019, author = {Gerecke, Christian and Schumacher, Fabian and Berndzen, Alide and Homann, Thomas and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Vitamin C in combination with inhibition of mutant IDH1 synergistically activates TET enzymes and epigenetically modulates gene silencing in colon cancer cells}, series = {Epigenetics : the official journal of the DNA Methylation Society}, volume = {15}, journal = {Epigenetics : the official journal of the DNA Methylation Society}, number = {3}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {1559-2294}, doi = {10.1080/15592294.2019.1666652}, pages = {307 -- 322}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Mutations in the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) lead to metabolic alterations and a sustained formation of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). 2-HG is an oncometabolite as it inhibits the activity of alpha-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases such as ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes. Inhibitors of mutant IDH enzymes, like ML309, are currently tested in order to lower the levels of 2-HG. Vitamin C (VC) is an inducer of TET enzymes. To test a new therapeutic avenue of synergistic effects, the anti-neoplastic activity of inhibition of mutant IDH1 via ML309 in the presence of VC was investigated in the colon cancer cell line HCT116 IDH1(R132H/+) (harbouring a mutated IDH1 allele) and the parental cells HCT116 IDH1(+/+) (wild type IDH1). Measurement of the oncometabolite indicated a 56-fold higher content of 2-HG in mutated cells compared to wild type cells. A significant reduction of 2-HG was observed in mutated cells after treatment with ML 309, whereas VC produced only minimally changes of the oncometabolite. However, combinatorial treatment with both, ML309 and VC, in mutated cells induced pronounced reduction of 2-HG leading to levels comparable to those in wild type cells. The decreased level of 2-HG in mutated cells after combinatorial treatment was accompanied by an enhanced global DNA hydroxymethylation and an increased gene expression of certain tumour suppressors. Moreover, mutated cells showed an increased percentage of apoptotic cells after treatment with non-cytotoxic concentrations of ML309 and VC. These results suggest that combinatorial therapy is of interest for further investigation to rescue TET activity and treatment of IDH1/2 mutated cancers.}, language = {en} } @article{WienholdMacriNouaillesetal.2018, author = {Wienhold, Sandra-Maria and Macri, Mario and Nouailles, Geraldine and Dietert, Kristina and Gurtner, Corinne and Gruber, Achim D. and Heimesaat, Markus M. and Lienau, Jasmin and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Opitz, Bastian and Suttorp, Norbert and Witzenrath, Martin and M{\"u}ller-Redetzky, Holger C.}, title = {Ventilator-induced lung injury is aggravated by antibiotic mediated microbiota depletion in mice}, series = {Critical Care}, volume = {22}, journal = {Critical Care}, number = {282}, publisher = {BMC}, address = {London}, issn = {1466-609X}, doi = {10.1186/s13054-018-2213-8}, pages = {12}, year = {2018}, abstract = {BackgroundAntibiotic exposure alters the microbiota, which can impact the inflammatory immune responses. Critically ill patients frequently receive antibiotic treatment and are often subjected to mechanical ventilation, which may induce local and systemic inflammatory responses and development of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). The aim of this study was to investigate whether disruption of the microbiota by antibiotic therapy prior to mechanical ventilation affects pulmonary inflammatory responses and thereby the development of VILI.MethodsMice underwent 6-8weeks of enteral antibiotic combination treatment until absence of cultivable bacteria in fecal samples was confirmed. Control mice were housed equally throughout this period. VILI was induced 3 days after completing the antibiotic treatment protocol, by high tidal volume (HTV) ventilation (34ml/kg; positive end-expiratory pressure=2 cmH(2)O) for 4h. Differences in lung function, oxygenation index, pulmonary vascular leakage, macroscopic assessment of lung injury, and leukocyte and lymphocyte differentiation were assessed. Control groups of mice ventilated with low tidal volume and non-ventilated mice were analyzed accordingly.ResultsAntibiotic-induced microbiota depletion prior to HTV ventilation led to aggravation of VILI, as shown by increased pulmonary permeability, increased oxygenation index, decreased pulmonary compliance, enhanced macroscopic lung injury, and increased cytokine/chemokine levels in lung homogenates.ConclusionsDepletion of the microbiota by broad-spectrum antibiotics prior to HTV ventilation renders mice more susceptible to developing VILI, which could be clinically relevant for critically ill patients frequently receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics.}, language = {en} } @article{GrafenSchumacherChithelenetal.2019, author = {Grafen, Anika and Schumacher, Fabian and Chithelen, Janice and Kleuser, Burkhard and Beyersdorf, Niklas and Schneider-Schaulies, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Use of Acid Ceramidase and Sphingosine Kinase Inhibitors as Antiviral Compounds Against Measles Virus Infection of Lymphocytes in vitro}, series = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-634X}, doi = {10.3389/fcell.2019.00218}, pages = {14}, year = {2019}, abstract = {As structural membrane components and signaling effector molecules sphingolipids influence a plethora of host cell functions, and by doing so also the replication of viruses. Investigating the effects of various inhibitors of sphingolipid metabolism in primary human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and the human B cell line BJAB we found that not only the sphingosine kinase (SphK) inhibitor SKI-II, but also the acid ceramidase inhibitor ceranib-2 efficiently inhibited measles virus (MV) replication. Virus uptake into the target cells was not grossly altered by the two inhibitors, while titers of newly synthesized MV were reduced by approximately 1 log (90\%) in PBL and 70-80\% in BJAB cells. Lipidomic analyses revealed that in PBL SKI-II led to increased ceramide levels, whereas in BJAB cells ceranib-2 increased ceramides. SKI-II treatment decreased sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels in PBL and BJAB cells. Furthermore, we found that MV infection of lymphocytes induced a transient (0.5-6 h) increase in S1P, which was prevented by SKI-II. Investigating the effect of the inhibitors on the metabolic (mTORC1) activity we found that ceranib-2 reduced the phosphorylation of p70 S6K in PBL, and that both inhibitors, ceranib-2 and SKI-II, reduced the phosphorylation of p70 S6K in BJAB cells. As mTORC1 activity is required for efficient MV replication, this effect of the inhibitors is one possible antiviral mechanism. In addition, reduced intracellular S1P levels affect a number of signaling pathways and functions including Hsp90 activity, which was reported to be required for MV replication. Accordingly, we found that pharmacological inhibition of Hsp90 with the inhibitor 17-AAG strongly impaired MV replication in primary PBL. Thus, our data suggest that treatment of lymphocytes with both, acid ceramidase and SphK inhibitors, impair MV replication by affecting a number of cellular activities including mTORC1 and Hsp90, which alter the metabolic state of the cells causing a hostile environment for the virus.}, language = {en} } @article{GereckeMascherGottschalketal.2013, author = {Gerecke, Christian and Mascher, Conny and Gottschalk, Uwe and Kleuser, Burkhard and Scholtka, Bettina}, title = {Ultrasensitive detection of unknown colon cancer-initiating mutations using the example of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene}, series = {Cancer prevention research}, volume = {6}, journal = {Cancer prevention research}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Association for Cancer Research}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {1940-6207}, doi = {10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-13-0145}, pages = {898 -- 907}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Detection of cancer precursors contributes to cancer prevention, for example, in the case of colorectal cancer. To record more patients early, ultrasensitive methods are required for the purpose of noninvasive precursor detection in body fluids. Our aim was to develop a method for enrichment and detection of known as well as unknown driver mutations in the Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene. By coupled wild-type blocking (WTB) PCR and high-resolution melting (HRM), referred to as WTB-HRM, a minimum detection limit of 0.01\% mutant in excess wild-type was achieved according to as little as 1 pg mutated DNA in the assay. The technique was applied to 80 tissue samples from patients with colorectal cancer (n = 17), adenomas (n = 50), serrated lesions (n = 8), and normal mucosa (n = 5). Any kind of known and unknown APC mutations (deletions, insertions, and base exchanges) being situated inside the mutation cluster region was distinguishable from wild-type DNA. Furthermore, by WTB-HRM, nearly twice as many carcinomas and 1.5 times more precursor lesions were identified to be mutated in APC, as compared with direct sequencing. By analyzing 31 associated stool DNA specimens all but one of the APC mutations could be recovered. Transferability of the WTB-HRM method to other genes was proven using the example of KRAS mutation analysis. In summary, WTB-HRM is a new approach for ultrasensitive detection of cancer-initiating mutations. In this sense, it appears especially applicable for noninvasive detection of colon cancer precursors in body fluids with excess wild-type DNA like stool. Cancer Prev Res; 6(9); 898-907. (C) 2013 AACR.}, language = {en} } @article{WallmeyerDietertSochorovaetal.2017, author = {Wallmeyer, Leonie and Dietert, Kristina and Sochorova, Michaela and Gruber, Achim D. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Vavrova, Katerina and Hedtrich, Sarah}, title = {TSLP is a direct trigger for T cell migration in filaggrin-deficient skin equivalents}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {7}, journal = {Scientific reports}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-00670-2}, pages = {12}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Mutations in the gene encoding for filaggrin (FLG) are major predisposing factors for atopic dermatitis (AD). Besides genetic predisposition, immunological dysregulations considerably contribute to its pathophysiology. For example, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is highly expressed in lesional atopic skin and significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of AD by activating dendritic cells that then initiate downstream effects on, for example, T cells. However, little is known about the direct interplay between TSLP, filaggrin-deficient skin and other immune cells such as T lymphocytes. In the present study, FLG knockdown skin equivalents, characterised by intrinsically high TSLP levels, were exposed to activated CD4(+) T cells. T cell exposure resulted in an inflammatory phenotype of the skin equivalents. Furthermore, a distinct shift from a Th1/Th17 to a Th2/Th22 profile was observed following exposure of T cells to filaggrin-deficient skin equivalents. Interestingly, TSLP directly stimulated T cell migration exclusively in filaggrin-deficient skin equivalents even in the absence of dendritic cells, indicating a hitherto unknown role of TSLP in the pathogenesis of AD.}, 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} } @article{PastukhovSchwalmZangemeisterWittkeetal.2014, author = {Pastukhov, Oleksandr and Schwalm, Stephanie and Zangemeister-Wittke, Uwe and Fabbro, Doriano and Bornancin, Frederic and Japtok, Lukasz and Kleuser, Burkhard and Pfeilschifter, Josef and Huwiler, Andrea}, title = {The ceramide kinase inhibitor NVP-231 inhibits breast and lung cancer cell proliferation by inducing M phase arrest and subsequent cell death}, series = {British journal of pharmacology : journal of The British Pharmacological Society}, volume = {171}, journal = {British journal of pharmacology : journal of The British Pharmacological Society}, number = {24}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {0007-1188}, doi = {10.1111/bph.12886}, pages = {5829 -- 5844}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background and PurposeCeramide kinase (CerK) catalyzes the generation of ceramide-1-phosphate which may regulate various cellular functions, including inflammatory reactions and cell growth. Here, we studied the effect of a recently developed CerK inhibitor, NVP-231, on cancer cell proliferation and viability and investigated the role of cell cycle regulators implicated in these responses. Experimental ApproachThe breast and lung cancer cell lines MCF-7 and NCI-H358 were treated with increasing concentrations of NVP-231 and DNA synthesis, colony formation and cell death were determined. Flow cytometry was performed to analyse cell cycle distribution of cells and Western blot analysis was used to detect changes in cell cycle regulator expression and activation. Key ResultsIn both cell lines, NVP-231 concentration-dependently reduced cell viability, DNA synthesis and colony formation. Moreover it induced apoptosis, as measured by increased DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 and caspase-9 cleavage. Cell cycle analysis revealed that NVP-231 decreased the number of cells in S phase and induced M phase arrest with an increased mitotic index, as determined by increased histone H3 phosphorylation. The effect on the cell cycle was even more pronounced when NVP-231 treatment was combined with staurosporine. Finally, overexpression of CerK protected, whereas down-regulation of CerK with siRNA sensitized, cells for staurosporine-induced apoptosis. Conclusions and ImplicationsOur data demonstrate for the first time a crucial role for CerK in the M phase control in cancer cells and suggest its targeted inhibition, using drugs such as NVP-231, in combination with conventional pro-apoptotic chemotherapy.}, language = {en} } @article{HoenzkeGereckeElpeltetal.2016, author = {H{\"o}nzke, Stefan and Gerecke, Christian and Elpelt, Anja and Zhang, Nan and Unbehauen, Michael and Kral, Vivian and Fleige, Emanuel and Paulus, Florian and Haag, Rainer and Sch{\"a}fer-Korting, Monika and Kleuser, Burkhard and Hedtrich, Sarah}, title = {Tailored dendritic core-multishell nanocarriers for efficient dermal drug delivery: A systematic top-down approach from synthesis to preclinical testing}, series = {Journal of controlled release}, volume = {242}, journal = {Journal of controlled release}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0168-3659}, doi = {10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.06.030}, pages = {50 -- 63}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Drug loaded dendritic core-multishell (CMS) nanocarriers are of especial interest for the treatment of skin diseases, owing to their striking dermal delivery efficiencies following topical applications. CMS nanocarriers are composed of a polyglycerol core, connected by amide-bonds to an inner alkyl shell and an outer methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) shell. Since topically applied nanocarriers are subjected to biodegradation, the application of conventional amide-based CMS nanocarriers (10-A-18-350) has been limited by the potential production of toxic polyglycerol amines. To circumvent this issue, three tailored ester-based CMS nanocarriers (10-E-12-350, 10-E-15-350, 10-E-18-350) of varying inner alkyl chain length were synthesized and comprehensively characterized in terms of particle size, drug loading, biodegradation and dermal drug delivery efficiency. Dexamethasone (DXM), a potent drug widely used for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases, was chosen as a therapeutically relevant test compound for the present study. Ester-and amide-based CMS nanocarriers delivered DXM more efficiently into human skin than a commercially available DXM cream. Subsequent in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies identified CMS (10-E-15-350) as the most biocompatible carrier system. The anti-inflammatory potency of DXM-loaded CMS (10-E-15-350) nanocarriers was assessed in TNF alpha supplemented skin models, where a significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 was seen, with markedly greater efficacy than commercial DXM cream. In summary, we report the rational design and characterization of tailored, biodegradable, ester-based CMS nanocarriers, and their subsequent stepwise screening for biocompatibility, dermal delivery efficiency and therapeutic efficacy in a top-down approach yielding the best carrier system for topical applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{ZabihiGraffSchumacheretal.2018, author = {Zabihi, Fatemeh and Graff, Patrick and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Hedtrich, Sarah and Haag, Rainer}, title = {Synthesis of poly(lactide-co-glycerol) as a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer with high loading capacity for dermal drug delivery}, series = {Nanoscale}, volume = {10}, journal = {Nanoscale}, number = {35}, publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {2040-3364}, doi = {10.1039/c8nr05536j}, pages = {16848 -- 16856}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Due to the low cutaneous bioavailability of tacrolimus (TAC), penetration enhancers are used to improve its penetration into the skin. However, poor loading capacity, non-biodegradability, toxicity, and in some cases inefficient skin penetration are challenging issues that hamper their applications for the dermal TAC delivery. Here we present poly(lactide-co-glycerol) (PLG) as a water soluble, biodegradable, and biocompatible TAC-carrier with high loading capacity (14.5\% w/w for TAC) and high drug delivery efficiencies into the skin. PLG was synthesized by cationic ring-opening copolymerization of a mixture of glycidol and lactide and showed 35 nm and 300 nm average sizes in aqueous solutions before and after loading of TAC, respectively. Delivery experiments on human skin, quantified by fluorescence microscopy and LC-MS/MS, showed a high ability for PLG to deposit Nile red and TAC into the stratum corneum and viable epidermis of skin in comparison with Protopic (R) (0.03\% w/w, TAC ointment). The cutaneous distribution profile of delivered TAC proved that 80\%, 16\%, and 4\% of the cutaneous drug level was deposited in the stratum corneum, viable epidermis, and upper dermis, respectively. TAC delivered by PLG was able to efficiently decrease the IL-2 and TSLP expressions in human skin models. Taking advantage of the excellent physicochemical and biological properties of PLG, it can be used for efficient dermal TAC delivery and potential treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.}, language = {en} } @article{SeitzSchumacherBakeretal.2019, author = {Seitz, Aaron P. and Schumacher, Fabian and Baker, Jennifer and Soddemann, Matthias and Wilker, Barbara and Caldwell, Charles C. and Gobble, Ryan M. and Kamler, Markus and Becker, Katrin Anne and Beck, Sascha and Kleuser, Burkhard and Edwards, Michael J. and Gulbins, Erich}, title = {Sphingosine-coating of plastic surfaces prevents ventilator-associated pneumonia}, series = {Journal of molecular medicine}, volume = {97}, journal = {Journal of molecular medicine}, number = {8}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {0946-2716}, doi = {10.1007/s00109-019-01800-1}, pages = {1195 -- 1211}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Here, we employed the broad antibacterial effects of sphingosine to prevent VAP by developing a novel method of coating surfaces of endotracheal tubes with sphingosine and sphingosine analogs. Sphingosine and phytosphingosine coatings of endotracheal tubes prevent adherence and mediate killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococcus aureus, even in biofilms. Most importantly, sphingosine-coating of endotracheal tubes also prevented P. aeruginosa and S. aureus pneumonia in vivo. Coating of the tubes with sphingosine was stable, without obvious side effects on tracheal epithelial cells and did not induce inflammation. In summary, we describe a novel method to coat plastic surfaces and provide evidence for the application of sphingosine and phytosphingosine as novel antimicrobial coatings to prevent bacterial adherence and induce killing of pathogens on the surface of endotracheal tubes with potential to prevent biofilm formation and VAP.Key messagesNovel dip-coating method to coat plastic surfaces with lipids.Sphingosine and phytosphingosine as novel antimicrobial coatings on plastic surface.Sphingosine coatings of endotracheal tubes prevent bacterial adherence and biofilms.Sphingosine coatings of endotracheal tubes induce killing of pathogens.Sphingosine coatings of endotracheal tubes ventilator-associated pneumonia.}, language = {en} } @article{SicKrausMadletal.2014, author = {Sic, Heiko and Kraus, Helene and Madl, Josef and Flittner, Karl-Andreas and von Muenchow, Audrey Lilly and Pieper, Kathrin and Rizzi, Marta and Kienzler, Anne-Kathrin and Ayata, Korcan and Rauer, Sebastian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Salzer, Ulrich and Burger, Meike and Zirlik, Katja and Lougaris, Vassilios and Plebani, Alessandro and Roemer, Winfried and Loeffler, Christoph and Scaramuzza, Samantha and Villa, Anna and Noguchi, Emiko and Grimbacher, Bodo and Eibel, Hermann}, title = {Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors control B-cell migration through signaling components associated with primary immunodeficiencies, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple sclerosis}, series = {The journal of allergy and clinical immunology}, volume = {134}, journal = {The journal of allergy and clinical immunology}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {New York}, issn = {0091-6749}, doi = {10.1016/j.jaci.2014.01.037}, pages = {420 -- +}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Five different G protein-coupled sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors (S1P1-S1P5) regulate a variety of physiologic and pathophysiologic processes, including lymphocyte circulation, multiple sclerosis (MS), and cancer. Although B-lymphocyte circulation plays an important role in these processes and is essential for normal immune responses, little is known about S1P receptors in human B cells. Objective: To explore their function and signaling, we studied B-cell lines and primary B cells from control subjects, patients with leukemia, patients with S1P receptor inhibitor-treated MS, and patients with primary immunodeficiencies. Methods: S1P receptor expression was analyzed by using multicolor immunofluorescence microscopy and quantitative PCR. Transwell assays were used to study cell migration. S1P receptor internalization was visualized by means of time-lapse imaging with fluorescent S1P receptor fusion proteins expressed by using lentiviral gene transfer. B-lymphocyte subsets were characterized by means of flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy. Results: Showing that different B-cell populations express different combinations of S1P receptors, we found that S1P1 promotes migration, whereas S1P4 modulates and S1P2 inhibits S1P1 signals. Expression of CD69 in activated B lymphocytes and B cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia inhibited S1P-induced migration. Studying B-cell lines, normal B lymphocytes, and B cells from patients with primary immunodeficiencies, we identified Bruton tyrosine kinase, beta-arrestin 2, LPS-responsive beige-like anchor protein, dedicator of cytokinesis 8, and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein as critical signaling components downstream of S1P1. Conclusion: Thus S1P receptor signaling regulates human B-cell circulation and might be a factor contributing to the pathology of MS, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and primary immunodeficiencies.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaperDickhautJaptoketal.2013, author = {Schaper, Katrin and Dickhaut, Jeannette and Japtok, Lukasz and Kietzmann, Manfred and Mischke, Reinhard and Kleuser, Burkhard and B{\"a}umer, Wolfgang}, title = {Sphingosine-1-phosphate exhibits anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects in mouse models of psoriasis}, series = {Journal of dermatological scienc}, volume = {71}, journal = {Journal of dermatological scienc}, number = {1}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Clare}, issn = {0923-1811}, doi = {10.1016/j.jdermsci.2013.03.006}, pages = {29 -- 36}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Background: It has been indicated that the sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (SIP) restrains the ability of dendritic cells to migrate to lymph nodes. Furthermore SIP has been demonstrated to inhibit cell growth in human keratinocytes. However, only little is known about the effect of S1P in hyperproliferative and inflammatory in vivo models. Objective: In this study, locally acting SIP was explored in different experimental mouse models of psoriasis vulgaris. Methods: S1P and FTY720 were tested in the imiquimod-induced psoriasis mouse model, the mouse tail assay and a pilot study of the severe combined immunodeficiency mice (SCID). Results: In the imiquimod model the positive control diflorasone diacetate and S1P, but not FTY720 reduced the imiquimod-induced epidermal hyperproliferation of the ear skin. This effect was confirmed in the SCID model, where S1P treated skin from patients suffering from psoriasis showed a decrease in epidermal thickness compared to vehicle. In the imiquimod model, there was also significant inhibition of ear swelling and a moderate reduction of inflammatory cell influx and oedema formation in ear skin by SIP treatment. The inflammatory response on the back skin was, however, only reduced by diflorasone diacetate. In the mouse tail assay, the influence of S1P and FTY720 in stratum granulosum formation was tested compared to the positive control calcipotriol. Whereas topical administration of calcipotriol led to a low but significant increase of stratum granulosum, S1P and FTY720 lacked such an effect. Conclusion: Taken together, these results imply that topical administration of SIP might be a new option for the treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis lesions.}, language = {en} } @article{GutbierSchoenrockEhrleretal.2018, author = {Gutbier, Birgitt and Sch{\"o}nrock, Stefanie M. and Ehrler, Carolin and Haberberger, Rainer and Dietert, Kristina and Gruber, Achim D. and Kummer, Wolfgang and Michalick, Laura and Kuebler, Wolfgang M. and Hocke, Andreas C. and Szymanski, Kolja and Letsiou, Eleftheria and L{\"u}th, Anja and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Mitchell, Timothy J. and Bertrams, Wilhelm and Schmeck, Bernd and Treue, Denise and Klauschen, Frederick and Bauer, Torsten T. and T{\"o}nnies, Mario and Weissmann, Norbert and Hippenstiel, Stefan and Suttorp, Norbert and Witzenrath, Martin}, title = {Sphingosine Kinase 1 Regulates Inflammation and Contributes to Acute Lung Injury in Pneumococcal Pneumonia via the Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor 2}, series = {Critical care medicine}, volume = {46}, journal = {Critical care medicine}, number = {3}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, organization = {CAPNETZ Study Grp}, issn = {0090-3493}, doi = {10.1097/CCM.0000000000002916}, pages = {e258 -- e267}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Objectives: Severe pneumonia may evoke acute lung injury, and sphingosine-1-phosphate is involved in the regulation of vascular permeability and immune responses. However, the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate and the sphingosine-1-phosphate producing sphingosine kinase 1 in pneumonia remains elusive. We examined the role of the sphingosine-1-phosphate system in regulating pulmonary vascular barrier function in bacterial pneumonia. Design: Controlled, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo laboratory study. Subjects: Female wild-type and SphK1-deficient mice, 8-10 weeks old. Human postmortem lung tissue, human blood-derived macrophages, and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Interventions: Wild-type and SphK1-deficient mice were infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pulmonary sphingosine-1-phosphate levels, messenger RNA expression, and permeability as well as lung morphology were analyzed. Human blood-derived macrophages and human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were infected with S. pneumoniae. Transcellular electrical resistance of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell monolayers was examined. Further, permeability of murine isolated perfused lungs was determined following exposition to sphingosine-1-phosphate and pneumolysin. Measurements and Main Results: Following S. pneumoniae infection, murine pulmonary sphingosine-1-phosphate levels and sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 expression were increased. Pneumonia-induced lung hyperpermeability was reduced in SphK1(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. Expression of sphingosine kinase 1 in macrophages recruited to inflamed lung areas in pneumonia was observed in murine and human lungs. S. pneumoniae induced the sphingosine kinase 1/sphingosine-1-phosphate system in blood-derived macrophages and enhanced sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 expression in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell in vitro. In isolated mouse lungs, pneumolysin-induced hyperpermeability was dose dependently and synergistically increased by sphingosine-1-phosphate. This sphingosine-1-phosphate-induced increase was reduced by inhibition of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 or its downstream effector Rho-kinase. Conclusions: Our data suggest that targeting the sphingosine kinase 1-/sphingosine-1-phosphate-/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2-signaling pathway in the lung may provide a novel therapeutic perspective in pneumococcal pneumonia for prevention of acute lung injury.}, language = {en} } @article{SchmitzPotteckSchueppeletal.2012, author = {Schmitz, Elisabeth I. and Potteck, Henrik and Sch{\"u}ppel, Melanie and Manggau, Marianti and Wahydin, Elly and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Sphingosine 1-phosphate protects primary human keratinocytes from apoptosis via nitric oxide formation through the receptor subtype S1P(3)}, series = {Molecular and cellular biochemistry : an international journal for chemical biology in health and disease}, volume = {371}, journal = {Molecular and cellular biochemistry : an international journal for chemical biology in health and disease}, number = {1-2}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Dordrecht}, issn = {0300-8177}, doi = {10.1007/s11010-012-1433-5}, pages = {165 -- 176}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Although the lipid mediator sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) has been identified to induce cell growth arrest of human keratinocytes, the sphingolipid effectively protects these epidermal cells from apoptosis. The molecular mechanism of the anti-apoptotic action induced by S1P is less characterized. Apart from S1P, endogenously produced nitric oxide (NOaEuro cent) has been recognized as a potent modulator of apoptosis in keratinocytes. Therefore, it was of great interest to elucidate whether S1P protects human keratinocytes via a NOaEuro cent-dependent signalling pathway. Indeed, S1P induced an activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human keratinocytes leading to an enhanced formation of NOaEuro cent. Most interestingly, the cell protective effect of S1P was almost completely abolished in the presence of the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME as well as in eNOS-deficient keratinocytes indicating that the sphingolipid metabolite S1P protects human keratinocytes from apoptosis via eNOS activation and subsequent production of protective amounts of NOaEuro cent. It is well established that most of the known actions of S1P are mediated by a family of five specific G protein-coupled receptors. Therefore, the involvement of S1P-receptor subtypes in S1P-mediated eNOS activation has been examined. Indeed, this study clearly shows that the S1P(3) is the exclusive receptor subtype in human keratinocytes which mediates eNOS activation and NOaEuro cent formation in response to S1P. In congruence, when the S1P(3) receptor subtype is abrogated, S1P almost completely lost its ability to protect human keratinocytes from apoptosis.}, language = {en} } @article{JaptokSchaperBaeumeretal.2012, author = {Japtok, Lukasz and Schaper, Katrin and B{\"a}umer, Wolfgang and Radeke, Heinfried H. and Jeong, Se Kyoo and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Modulates Antigen Capture by Murine Langerhans Cells via the S1P(2) Receptor Subtype}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {11}, publisher = {PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE}, address = {SAN FRANCISCO}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0049427}, pages = {11}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in the development of cutaneous contact hypersensitivity (CHS) and atopic dermatitis as they capture and process antigen and present it to T lymphocytes in the lymphoid organs. Recently, it has been indicated that a topical application of the sphingolipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) prevents the inflammatory response in CHS, but the molecular mechanism is not fully elucidated. Here we indicate that treatment of mice with S1P is connected with an impaired antigen uptake by Langerhans cells (LCs), the initial step of CHS. Most of the known actions of S1P are mediated by a family of five specific G protein-coupled receptors. Our results indicate that S1P inhibits macropinocytosis of the murine LC line XS52 via S1P(2) receptor stimulation followed by a reduced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity. As down-regulation of S1P(2) not only diminished S1P-mediated action but also enhanced the basal activity of LCs on antigen capture, an autocrine action of S1P has been assumed. Actually, S1P is continuously produced by LCs and secreted via the ATP binding cassette transporter ABCC1 to the extracellular environment. Consequently, inhibition of ABCC1, which decreased extracellular S1P levels, markedly increased the antigen uptake by LCs. Moreover, stimulation of sphingosine kinase activity, the crucial enzyme for S1P formation, is connected not only with enhanced S1P levels but also with diminished antigen capture. These results indicate that S1P is essential in LC homeostasis and influences skin immunity. This is of importance as previous reports suggested an alteration of S1P levels in atopic skin lesions. Citation: Japtok L, Schaper K, Baumer W, Radeke HH, Jeong SK, et al. (2012) Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Modulates Antigen Capture by Murine Langerhans Cells via the S1P(2) Receptor Subtype. PLoS ONE 7(11): e49427. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049427}, 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{JaptokSchmitzFayyazetal.2015, author = {Japtok, Lukasz and Schmitz, Elisabeth I. and Fayyaz, Susann and Kr{\"a}mer, Stephanie and Hsu, Leigh J. and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Sphingosine 1-phosphate counteracts insulin signaling in pancreatic beta-cells via the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype 2}, series = {The FASEB journal : the official journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology}, volume = {29}, journal = {The FASEB journal : the official journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology}, number = {8}, publisher = {Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology}, address = {Bethesda}, issn = {0892-6638}, doi = {10.1096/fj.14-263194}, pages = {3357 -- 3369}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Glucolipotoxic stress has been identified as a key player in the progression of pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction contributing to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). It has been suggested that bioactive lipid intermediates, formed under lipotoxic conditions, are involved in these processes. Here, we show that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) levels are not only increased in palmitate-stimulated pancreatic beta-cells but also regulate beta-cell homeostasis in a divergent manner. Although S1P possesses a prosurvival effect in beta-cells, an enhanced level of the sphingolipid antagonizes insulin-mediated cell growth and survival via the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype 2 (S1P(2)) followed by an inhibition of Akt-signaling. In an attempt to investigate the role of the S1P/S1P(2) axis in vivo, the New Zealand obese (NZO) diabetic mouse model, characterized by beta-cell loss under high-fat diet (HFD) conditions, was used. The occurrence of T2D was accompanied by an increase of plasma S1P levels. To examine whether S1P contributes to the morphologic changes of islets via S1P(2), the receptor antagonist JTE-013 was administered. Most interestingly, JTE-013 rescued beta-cell damage clearly indicating an important role of the S1P(2) in beta-cell homeostasis. Therefore, the present study provides a new therapeutic strategy to diminish beta-cell dysfunction and the development of T2D.}, language = {en} } @article{BarceloCoblijnLauraMartindeAlmeidaetal.2011, author = {Barcelo-Coblijn, Gwendolyn and Laura Martin, Maria and de Almeida, Rodrigo F. M. and Antonia Noguera-Salva, Maria and Marcilla-Etxenike, Amaia and Guardiola-Serrano, Francisca and Lueth, Anja and Kleuser, Burkhard and Halver, John E. and Escriba, Pablo V.}, title = {Sphingomyelin and sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) in the malignant transformation of glioma cells and in 2-hydroxyoleic acid therapy}, series = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, volume = {108}, journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America}, number = {49}, publisher = {National Acad. of Sciences}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0027-8424}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1115484108}, pages = {19569 -- 19574}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The mechanism of action of 2-hydroxyoleic acid (2OHOA), a potent antitumor compound, has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we show that human cancer cells have markedly lower levels of sphingomyelin (SM) than nontumor (MRC-5) cells. In this context, 2OHOA treatment strongly augments SM mass (4.6-fold), restoring the levels found in MRC-5 cells, while a loss of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine is observed (57 and 30\%, respectively). The increased SM mass was due to a rapid and highly specific activation of SM synthases (SMS). This effect appeared to be specific against cancer cells as it did not affect nontumor MRC-5 cells. Therefore, low SM levels are associated with the tumorigenic transformation that produces cancer cells. SM accumulation occurred at the plasma membrane and caused an increase in membrane global order and lipid raft packing in model membranes. These modifications would account for the observed alteration by 2OHOA in the localization of proteins involved in cell apoptosis (Fas receptor) or differentiation (Ras). Importantly, SMS inhibition by D609 diminished 2OHOA effect on cell cycle. Therefore, we propose that the regulation of SMS activity in tumor cells is a critical upstream event in 2OHOA antitumor mechanism, which also explains its specificity for cancer cells, its potency, and the lack of undesired side effects. Finally, the specific activation of SMS explains the ability of this compound to trigger cell cycle arrest, cell differentiation, and autophagy or apoptosis in cancer cells.}, language = {en} } @article{PewznerJungTabazavarehGrassmeetal.2014, author = {Pewzner-Jung, Yael and Tabazavareh, Shaghayegh Tavakoli and Grassme, Heike and Becker, Katrin Anne and Japtok, Lukasz and Steinmann, Joerg and Joseph, Tammar and Lang, Stephan and Tuemmler, Burkhard and Schuchman, Edward H. and Lentsch, Alex B. and Kleuser, Burkhard and Edwards, Michael J. and Futerman, Anthony H. and Gulbins, Erich}, title = {Sphingoid long chain bases prevent lung infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa}, series = {EMBO molecular medicine}, volume = {6}, journal = {EMBO molecular medicine}, number = {9}, publisher = {Wiley-Blackwell}, address = {Hoboken}, issn = {1757-4676}, doi = {10.15252/emmm.201404075}, pages = {1205 -- 1214}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Cystic fibrosis patients and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, trauma, burn wound, or patients requiring ventilation are susceptible to severe pulmonary infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Physiological innate defense mechanisms against this pathogen, and their alterations in lung diseases, are for the most part unknown. We now demonstrate a role for the sphingoid long chain base, sphingosine, in determining susceptibility to lung infection by P.aeruginosa. Tracheal and bronchial sphingosine levels were significantly reduced in tissues from cystic fibrosis patients and from cystic fibrosis mouse models due to reduced activity of acid ceramidase, which generates sphingosine from ceramide. Inhalation of mice with sphingosine, with a sphingosine analog, FTY720, or with acid ceramidase rescued susceptible mice from infection. Our data suggest that luminal sphingosine in tracheal and bronchial epithelial cells prevents pulmonary P.aeruginosa infection in normal individuals, paving the way for novel therapeutic paradigms based on inhalation of acid ceramidase or of sphingoid long chain bases in lung infection.}, language = {en} } @article{EdlichGereckeGiulbudagianetal.2016, author = {Edlich, Alexander and Gerecke, Christian and Giulbudagian, Michael and Neumann, Falko and Hedtrich, Sarah and Schaefer-Korting, Monika and Ma, Nan and Calderon, Marcelo and Kleuser, Burkhard}, title = {Specific uptake mechanisms of well-tolerated thermoresponsive polyglycerol-based nanogels in antigen-presenting cells of the skin}, series = {European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics}, volume = {116}, journal = {European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {0939-6411}, doi = {10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.12.016}, pages = {155 -- 163}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Engineered nanogels are of high value for a targeted and controlled transport of compounds due to the ability to change their chemical properties by external stimuli. As it has been indicated that nanogels possess a high ability to penetrate the stratum corneum, it cannot be excluded that nanogels interact with dermal dendritic cells, especially in diseased skin. In this study the potential crosstalk of the thermore-sponsive nanogels (tNGs) with the dendritic cells of the skin was investigated with the aim to determine the immunotoxicological properties of the nanogels. The investigated tNGs were made of dendritic polyglycerol (dPG) and poly(glycidyl methyl ether-co-ethyl glycidyl ether) (p(GME-co-EGE)), as polymer conferring thermoresponsive properties. Although the tNGs were taken up, they displayed neither cytotoxic and genotoxic effects nor any induction of reactive oxygen species in the tested cells. Interestingly, specific uptake mechanisms of the tNGs by the dendritic cells were depending on the nanogels cloud point temperature (Tcp), which determines the phase transition of the nanoparticle. The study points to caveolae-mediated endocytosis as being the major tNGs uptake mechanism at 37 degrees C, which is above the Tcp of the tNGs. Remarkably, an additional uptake mechanism, beside caveolae-mediated endocytosis, was observed at 29 degrees C, which is the Tcp of the tNGs. At this temperature, which is characterized by two different states of the tNGs, macropinocytosis was involved as well. In summary, our study highlights the impact of thermoresponsivity on the cellular uptake mechanisms which has to be taken into account if the tNGs are used as a drug delivery system.}, language = {en} }