@article{BeckmannSchumacherKleuseretal.2021, author = {Beckmann, Nadine and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Gulbins, Erich and Nomellini, Vanessa and Caldwell, Charles C.}, title = {Burn injury impairs neutrophil chemotaxis through increased ceramide}, series = {Shock : injury, inflammation, and sepsis, laboratory and clinical approaches}, volume = {56}, journal = {Shock : injury, inflammation, and sepsis, laboratory and clinical approaches}, number = {1}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Hagerstown, Md.}, issn = {1073-2322}, doi = {10.1097/SHK.0000000000001693}, pages = {125 -- 132}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Infection is a common and often deadly complication after burn injury. A major underlying factor is burn-induced immune dysfunction, particularly with respect to neutrophils as the primary responders to infection. Temporally after murine scald injury, we demonstrate impaired bone marrow neutrophil chemotaxis toward CXCL1 ex vivo. Additionally, we observed a reduced recruitment of neutrophils to the peritoneal after elicitation 7 days after injury. We demonstrate that neutrophil ceramide levels increase after burn injury, and this is associated with decreased expression of CXCR2 and blunted chemotaxis. A major signaling event upon CXCR2 activation is Akt phosphorylation and this was reduced when ceramide was elevated. In contrast, PTEN levels were elevated and PTEN-inhibition elevated phospho-Akt levels and mitigated the burn-induced neutrophil chemotaxis defect. Altogether, this study identifies a newly described pathway of ceramide-mediated suppression of neutrophil chemotaxis after burn injury and introduces potential targets to mitigate this defect and reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality after burn.}, 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} } @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{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{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{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} } @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{SolgerKunzFinketal.2019, author = {Solger, Franziska and Kunz, Tobias C. and Fink, Julian and Paprotka, Kerstin and Pfister, Pauline and Hagen, Franziska and Schumacher, Fabian and Kleuser, Burkhard and Seibel, J{\"u}rgen and Rudel, Thomas}, title = {A role of sphingosine in the intracellular survival of Neisseria gonorrhoeae}, series = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, volume = {10}, journal = {Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology}, publisher = {Frontiers Media}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2235-2988}, doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2020.00215}, pages = {12}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Obligate human pathogenic Neisseria gonorrhoeae are the second most frequent bacterial cause of sexually transmitted diseases. These bacteria invade different mucosal tissues and occasionally disseminate into the bloodstream. Invasion into epithelial cells requires the activation of host cell receptors by the formation of ceramide-rich platforms. Here, we investigated the role of sphingosine in the invasion and intracellular survival of gonococci. Sphingosine exhibited an anti-gonococcal activity in vitro. We used specific sphingosine analogs and click chemistry to visualize sphingosine in infected cells. Sphingosine localized to the membrane of intracellular gonococci. Inhibitor studies and the application of a sphingosine derivative indicated that increased sphingosine levels reduced the intracellular survival of gonococci. We demonstrate here, that sphingosine can target intracellular bacteria and may therefore exert a direct bactericidal effect inside cells.}, language = {en} } @misc{RancanVolkmannGiulbudagianetal.2019, author = {Rancan, Fiorenza and Volkmann, Hildburg and Giulbudagian, Michael and Schumacher, Fabian and Stanko, Jessica Isolde and Kleuser, Burkhard and Blume-Peytavi, Ulrike and Calder{\´o}n, Marcelo and Vogt, Annika}, title = {Dermal Delivery of the High-Molecular-Weight Drug Tacrolimus by Means of Polyglycerol-Based Nanogels}, 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 = {1339}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-47327}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-473270}, pages = {14}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Polyglycerol-based thermoresponsive nanogels (tNGs) have been shown to have excellent skin hydration properties and to be valuable delivery systems for sustained release of drugs into skin. In this study, we compared the skin penetration of tacrolimus formulated in tNGs with a commercial 0.1\% tacrolimus ointment. The penetration of the drug was investigated in ex vivo abdominal and breast skin, while different methods for skin barrier disruption were investigated to improve skin permeability or simulate inflammatory conditions with compromised skin barrier. The amount of penetrated tacrolimus was measured in skin extracts by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), whereas the inflammatory markers IL-6 and IL-8 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Higher amounts of tacrolimus penetrated in breast as compared to abdominal skin or in barrier-disrupted as compared to intact skin, confirming that the stratum corneum is the main barrier for tacrolimus skin penetration. The anti-proliferative effect of the penetrated drug was measured in skin tissue/Jurkat cells co-cultures. Interestingly, tNGs exhibited similar anti-proliferative effects as the 0.1\% tacrolimus ointment. We conclude that polyglycerol-based nanogels represent an interesting alternative to paraffin-based formulations for the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions.}, 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} }