TY - JOUR A1 - Lu, Yong-Ping A1 - Hasan, Ahmed A. A1 - Zeng, Shufei A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - Plasma ET-1 concentrations are elevated in pregnant women with hypertension - meta-analysis of clinical studies JF - Kidney & blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft für Nephrologie ; official organ of the Deutsche Liga zur Bekämpfung des Hohen Blutdruckes e.V., Deutsche Hypertonie-Gesellschaft N2 - Background/Aims: The ET system might be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. The objective is to analyse the impact of ET-1 in hypertensive pregnant women by a strict meta-analysis of published human clinical studies. Methods: Based on the principle of Cochrane systematic reviews, Cohort studies in PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar and China Biological Medicine Database (CBM-disc) designed to identify the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the pathophysiology of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia were screened. Review Manager Version 5.0 (Rev-Man 5.0) was applied for statistical analysis. Mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI) were shown in inverse variance (IV) fixed-effects model or IV random-effects model. Results: Sixteen published cohort studies including 1739 hypertensive cases and 409 controls were used in the meta-analysis. ET-1 plasma concentrations were higher in hypertensive pregnant women as compared to the controls (mean difference between groups: 19.02 [15.60～22.44], P < 0.00001,). These finding were driven by severity of hypertension and/or degree of proteinuria. Conclusion: Plasma ET-1 concentrations are elevated in hypertensive disorders during human pregnancy. In particular women with preeclampsia (hypertensive pregnant women with proteinuria) have substantially elevated plasma ET-1 concentration as compared to pregnant women with normal blood pressure. KW - Et-1 KW - Pregnancy KW - Hypertension KW - Meta-analysis Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1159/000482004 SN - 1420-4096 SN - 1423-0143 VL - 42 IS - 4 SP - 654 EP - 663 PB - Karger CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schwiebs, Anja A1 - Thomas, Dominique Jeanette A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Pfeilschifter, Josef A1 - Radeke, Heinfried H. T1 - Nuclear translocation of SGPP-1 and decrease of SGPL-1 activity contribute to sphingolipid rheostat regulation of inflammatory dendritic cells JF - Mediators of inflammation N2 - A balanced sphingolipid rheostat is indispensable for dendritic cell function and survival and thus initiation of an immune response. Sphingolipid levels are dynamically maintained by the action of sphingolipid enzymes of which sphingosine kinases, S1P phosphatases (SGPP-1/2) and S1P lyase (SGPL-1), are pivotal in the balance of S1P and sphingosine levels. In this study, we present that SGPP-1 and SGPL-1 are regulated in inflammatory dendritic cells and contribute to S1P fate. TLR-dependent activation caused SGPL-1 protein downregulation with subsequent decrease of enzymatic activity by two-thirds. In parallel, confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that endogenous SGPP-1 was expressed in nuclei of naive dendritic cells and was translocated into the cytoplasmatic compartment upon inflammatory stimulation resulting in dephosphorylation of S1P. Mass spectrometric determination showed that a part of the resulting sphingosine was released from the cell, increasing extracellular levels. Another route of diminishing intracellular S1P was possibly taken by its export via ATP-binding cassette transporter C1 which was upregulated in array analysis, while the S1P transporter, spinster homolog 2, was not relevant in dendritic cells. These investigations newly describe the sequential expression and localization of the endogenous S1P regulators SGPP-1 and SGPL-1 and highlight their contribution to the sphingolipid rheostat in inflammation. Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/5187368 SN - 0962-9351 SN - 1466-1861 PB - Hindawi Publishing Corp. CY - London ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Bernacchioni, Caterina A1 - Ghini, Veronica A1 - Cencetti, Francesca A1 - Japtok, Lukasz A1 - Donati, Chiara A1 - Bruni, Paola A1 - Turano, Paola T1 - NMR metabolomics highlights sphingosine kinase-1 as a new molecular switch in the orchestration of aberrant metabolic phenotype in cancer cells JF - Molecular oncology / Federation of European Biochemical Societies N2 - Strong experimental evidence in animal and cellular models supports a pivotal role of sphingosine kinase-1 (SK1) in oncogenesis. In many human cancers, SK1 levels are upregulated and these increases are linked to poor prognosis in patients. Here, by employing untargeted NMR- based metabolomic profiling combined with functional validations, we report the crucial role of SK1 in the metabolic shift known as the Warburg effect in A2780 ovarian cancer cells. Indeed, expression of SK1 induced a high glycolytic rate, characterized by increased levels of lactate along with increased expression of the proton/monocarboxylate symporter MCT1, and decreased oxidative metabolism, associated with the accumulation of intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and reduction in CO2 production. Additionally, SK1-expressing cells displayed a significant increase in glucose uptake paralleled by GLUT3 transporter upregulation. The role of SK1 is not limited to the induction of aerobic glycolysis, affecting metabolic pathways that appear to support the biosynthesis of macromolecules. These findings highlight the role of SK1 signaling axis in cancer metabolic reprogramming, pointing out innovative strategies for cancer therapies. KW - NMR-based metabolomics KW - ovarian cancer KW - sphingosine kinase-1 KW - Warburg effect Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.12048 SN - 1878-0261 VL - 11 SP - 517 EP - 533 PB - Wiley CY - Hoboken ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fayyaz, Susann A1 - Japtok, Lukasz A1 - Schumacher, Fabian A1 - Wigger, Dominik A1 - Schulz, Tim Julius A1 - Haubold, Kathrin A1 - Gulbins, Erich A1 - Völler, Heinz A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard T1 - Lysophosphatidic acid inhibits insulin signaling in primary rat hepatocytes via the LPA(3) receptor subtype and is increased in obesity JF - Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology N2 - 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. KW - Lysophosphatidic acid KW - Insulin signaling KW - Adipose tissue KW - Autotaxin KW - Hepatic insulin resistance KW - LPA(3) receptor subtype Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1159/000480470 SN - 1015-8987 SN - 1421-9778 VL - 43 SP - 445 EP - 456 PB - Karger CY - Basel ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Folkesson, Maggie A1 - Vorkapic, Emina A1 - Gulbins, Erich A1 - Japtok, Lukasz A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Welander, Martin A1 - Länne, Toste A1 - Wågsäter, Dick T1 - Inflammatory cells, ceramides, and expression of proteases in perivascular adipose tissue adjacent to human abdominal aortic aneurysms JF - Journal of vascular surgery N2 - 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. Y1 - 2016 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2015.12.056 SN - 0741-5214 VL - 65 IS - 4 SP - 1171 EP - 1179 PB - Elsevier CY - New York ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fruscalzo, Arrigo A1 - Frommer, Julia-Marie A1 - Londero, Ambrogio P. A1 - Henze, Andrea A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Nofer, Jerzy-Roch A1 - Steinhard, Johannes A1 - Klockenbusch, Walter A1 - Schmitz, Ralf A1 - Raila, Jens T1 - First trimester TTR-RBP4-ROH complex and angiogenic factors in the prediction of small for gestational age infant’s outcome JF - Archives of gynecology and obstetrics N2 - To study the role of the TTR-RBP4-ROH complex components (transthyretin, serum retinol binding protein, retinol) and of angiogenic factors PlGF (placental growth factor) and sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) in pregnancies complicated by small for gestational age infants (SGA). Case control study conducted on maternal serum collected between 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. TTR, RBP4, ROH, PlGF and sFlt-1 were measured in SGA patients (birth weight < 10%) who delivered at term (n = 37) and before 37 weeks of gestation (n = 17) and in a matched control group with uneventful pregnancies (n = 37). We found decreased RBP4 in SGA patients that delivered fetuses < 3% and in fetuses delivered after the 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls [1.50 (95% CI 1.40-1.75) vs 1.62 (95% CI 1.47-1.98), p < 0.05]. Further, we found lower PlGF and sFlt-1 concentrations in SGA that delivered before 37 weeks of gestation compared to controls (respectively, PIGF and sFlt-1: 39.7 pg/ml (95% CI 32.3-66.3) vs 62.9 pg/ml (95% CI 45.2-78.4) and 906 pg/ml (95% CI 727-1626) vs 1610 pg/ml (95% CI 1088-212), p < 0.05). First trimester maternal serum RBP4 and angiogenic factors PlGF and sFlt-1 can differently predict the timing of delivery of pregnancies complicated by SGA fetuses. KW - Low birth weight KW - Small for gestational age KW - Pregnancy KW - First trimester KW - Marker KW - RBP4 KW - TTR KW - Retinol KW - Vitamin A KW - sFlt-1 KW - PlGF Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-017-4338-4 SN - 0932-0067 SN - 1432-0711 VL - 295 SP - 1157 EP - 1165 PB - Springer CY - Heidelberg ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Heunisch, Fabian A1 - Chaykovska, Lyubov A1 - von Einem, Gina A1 - Alter, Markus A1 - Dschietzig, Thomas A1 - Kretschmer, Axel A1 - Kellner, Karl-Heinz A1 - Hocher, Berthold T1 - ADMA predicts major adverse renal events in patients with mild renal impairment and/or diabetes mellitus undergoing coronary angiography JF - Medicine N2 - Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide (NO)-synthase and a biomarker of endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED plays an important role in the pathogenesis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The aim of our study was to evaluate serum ADMA concentration as a biomarker of an acute renal damage during the follow-up of 90 days after contrast medium (CM) application. Blood samples were obtained from 330 consecutive patients with diabetes mellitus or mild renal impairment immediately before, 24 and 48 hours after the CM application for coronary angiography. The patients were followed for 90 days. The composite endpoints were major adverse renal events (MARE) defined as occurrence of death, initiation of dialysis, or a doubling of serum creatinine concentration. Overall, ADMA concentration in plasma increased after CM application, although, there was no differences between ADMA levels in patients with and without CIN. ADMA concentration 24 hours after the CM application was predictive for dialysis with a specificity of 0.889 and sensitivity of 0.653 at values higher than 0.71 mu mol/L (area under the curve: 0.854, 95% confidential interval: 0.767-0.941, P<0.001). This association remained significant in multivariate Cox regression models adjusted for relevant factors of long-term renal outcome. 24 hours after the CM application, ADMA concentration in plasma was predictive for MARE with a specificity of 0.833 and sensitivity of 0.636 at a value of more than 0.70 mu mol/L (area under the curve: 0.750, 95% confidence interval: 0.602-0.897, P=0.004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that ADMA and anemia were significant predictors of MARE. Further analysis revealed that increased ADMA concentration in plasma was highly significant predictor of MARE in patients with CIN. Moreover, patients with CIN and MARE had the highest plasma ADMA levels 24 hours after CM exposure in our study cohort. The impact of ADMA on MARE was independent of such known CIN risk factors as anemia, pre-existing renal failure, pre-existing heart failure, and diabetes. ADMA concentration in plasma is a promising novel biomarker of major contrast-induced nephropathy-associated events 90 days after contrast media exposure. KW - asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) KW - biomarkers of renal failure KW - contrast-induced nephropathy Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000006065 SN - 0025-7974 SN - 1536-5964 VL - 96 IS - 6 PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins CY - Philadelphia ER - TY - JOUR A1 - McVey, Mark J. A1 - Kim, Michael A1 - Tabuchi, Arata A1 - Srbely, Victoria A1 - Japtok, Lukasz A1 - Arenz, Christoph A1 - Rotstein, Ori A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Semple, John W. A1 - Kuebler, Wolfgang M. T1 - Acid sphingomyelinase mediates murine acute lung injury following transfusion of aged platelets JF - American journal of physiology : Lung cellular and molecular physiology N2 - Pulmonary complications from stored blood products are the leading cause of mortality related to transfusion. Transfusion-related acute lung injury is mediated by antibodies or bioactive mediators, yet underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Sphingolipids such as ceramide regulate lung injury, and their composition changes as a function of time in stored blood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that aged platelets may induce lung injury via a sphingolipid-mediated mechanism. To assess this hypothesis, a two-hit mouse model was devised. Recipient mice were treated with 2 mg/kg intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (priming) 2 h before transfusion of 10 ml/kg stored (1-5 days) platelets treated with or without addition of acid sphingomyelinase inhibitor ARC39 or platelets from acid sphingomyelinase-deficient mice, which both reduce ceramide formation. Transfused mice were examined for signs of pulmonary neutrophil accumulation, endothelial barrier dysfunction, and histological evidence of lung injury. Sphingolipid profiles in stored platelets were analyzed by mass spectrophotometry. Transfusion of aged platelets into primed mice induced characteristic features of lung injury, which increased in severity as a function of storage time. Ceramide accumulated in platelets during storage, but this was attenuated by ARC39 or in acid sphingomyelinase-deficient platelets. Compared with wild-type platelets, transfusion of ARC39-treated or acid sphingomyelinase-deficient aged platelets alleviated lung injury. Aged platelets elicit lung injury in primed recipient mice, which can be alleviated by pharmacological inhibition or genetic deletion of acid sphingomyelinase. Interventions targeting sphingolipid formation represent a promising strategy to increase the safety and longevity of stored blood products. KW - transfusion-related acute lung injury KW - ceramide KW - acid sphingomyelinase KW - platelets KW - storage Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1152/ajplung.00317.2016 SN - 1040-0605 SN - 1522-1504 VL - 312 IS - 5 SP - 625 EP - 637 PB - American Physiological Society CY - Bethesda ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Hoehn, Richard S. A1 - Jernigan, Peter L. A1 - Japtok, Lukasz A1 - Chang, Alex L. A1 - Midura, Emily F. A1 - Caldwell, Charles C. A1 - Kleuser, Burkhard A1 - Lentsch, Alex B. A1 - Edwards, Michael J. A1 - Gulbins, Erich A1 - Pritts, Timothy A. T1 - Acid sphingomyelinase inhibition in stored erythrocytes reduces transfusion-associated lung inflammation JF - Annals of surgery : a monthly review of surgical science and practice N2 - 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. KW - acid sphingomyelinase KW - blood banking KW - ceramide KW - lung inflammation KW - microparticle Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001648 SN - 0003-4932 SN - 1528-1140 VL - 265 IS - 1 SP - 218 EP - 226 PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins CY - Philadelphia ER -