Sphingosine 1-phosphate and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) act via PDGF beta receptor-sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor complexes in airway smooth muscle cells

Biology of LPA in health and disease

The functions of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) can be broadly divided into two classes: (1) physiological and (2) pathological roles. The role of LPA in embryonic development can be seen as early as oocyte formation. It continues in postnatal homeostasis, through its ability to impart a level of protection from both stress and local injury, by regulating cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and the reorganization of cytoskeletal fibers. LPA may function as a double-edged sword. While it helps maintain homeostasis against stress and insult, it may also augment the development and spread of pathological processes, including cancers.

Transactivation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors by FcepsilonRI triggering is required for normal mast cell degranulation and chemotaxis

Mast cells secrete various substances that initiate and perpetuate allergic responses. Cross-linking of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcɛRI) in RBL-2H3 and bone marrow–derived mast cells activates sphingosine kinase (SphK), which leads to generation and secretion of the potent sphingolipid mediator, sphingosine-1–phosphate (S1P). In turn, S1P activates its receptors S1P₁ and S1P₂ that are present in mast cells. Moreover, inhibition of SphK blocks FcɛRI-mediated internalization of these receptors and markedly reduces degranulation and chemotaxis. Although transactivation of S1P₁ and Gi signaling are important for cytoskeletal rearrangements and migration of mast cells toward antigen, they are dispensable for FcɛRI-triggered degranulation. However, S1P₂, whose expression is up-regulated by FcɛRI cross-linking, was required for degranulation and inhibited migration toward antigen. Together, our results suggest that activation of SphKs and consequently S1PRs by FcɛRI triggering plays a crucial role in mast cell functions and might be involved in the movement of mast cells to sites of inflammation.

Differential transactivation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors modulates NGF-induced neurite extension

The process of neurite extension after activation of the TrkA tyrosine kinase receptor by nerve growth factor (NGF) involves complex signaling pathways. Stimulation of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), the enzyme that phosphorylates sphingosine to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), is part of the functional TrkA signaling repertoire. In this paper, we report that in PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglion neurons, NGF translocates SphK1 to the plasma membrane and differentially activates the S1P receptors S1P₁ and S1P₂ in a SphK1-dependent manner, as determined with specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeted to SphK1. NGF-induced neurite extension was suppressed by down-regulation of S1P₁ expression with antisense RNA. Conversely, when overexpressed in PC12 cells, transactivation of S1P₁ by NGF markedly enhanced neurite extension and stimulation of the small GTPase Rac, important for the cytoskeletal changes required for neurite extension. Concomitantly, differentiation down-regulated expression of S1P₂ whose activation would stimulate Rho and inhibit neurite extension. Thus, differential transactivation of S1P receptors by NGF regulates antagonistic signaling pathways that modulate neurite extension.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors: receptor specificity versus functional redundancy

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid that has recently been shown to bind cell surface S1P receptors (previously called endothelial differentiation gene (Edg) receptors), which are members of the G-protein-coupled family of receptors. Signaling via S1P is a complex process, as cells usually express a number of these receptors on their surfaces. Many of the S1P receptors share common G-proteins, invoking the question of how these receptors are specific in their actions. This review describes the coupling pathways of S1P receptors, and highlights the in vitro and in vivo evidence for the "uniqueness" of each receptor in activating downstream signaling pathways, taking the effect of S1P on migration as an example.

Involvement of Smad signaling in sphingosine 1-phosphate-mediated biological responses of keratinocytes

The lysophospholipid sphingosine 1-phosphate and the cytokine-transforming growth factor beta are both released from degranulating platelets at wound sites, suggesting a broad spectrum of effects involved in wound healing. Interestingly, both of these molecules have been previously shown to induce chemotaxis but to strongly inhibit the growth of keratinocytes, while stimulating the proliferation of fibroblasts. In contrast to sphingosine 1-phosphate, the signaling cascade of the growth factor has been extensively examined. Specifically, Smad3 has been shown to be an essential mediator of transforming growth factor beta-dependent chemotaxis of keratinocytes and mediates, in part, its growth-inhibitory effect. Here we show that sphingosine 1-phosphate, independently of transforming growth factor beta secretion, induces a rapid phosphorylation of Smad3 on its C-terminal serine motif and induces its partnering with Smad4 and the translocation of the complex into the nucleus. Moreover, sphingosine 1-phosphate fails to induce chemotaxis or inhibit the growth of Smad3-deficient keratinocytes, suggesting that Smad3 plays an unexpected functional role as a new target in sphingosine 1-phosphate signaling. Both sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors and the transforming growth factor beta-type I receptor serine/threonine kinase are essential for activation of Smad3 by this lysophospholipid and the dependent biological responses, indicating a novel cross-talk between serine/threonine kinase receptors and G-protein coupled receptors.

The role of G-protein coupled receptors and associated proteins in receptor tyrosine kinase signal transduction

It is well established that stimulation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) can activate signalling from receptor tyrosine kinases by a process termed transactivation. Indeed, in recent years, it has become apparent that transactivation is a general phenomenon that has been demonstrated for many unrelated GPCRs and receptor tyrosine kinases. In this case the GPCR/G-protein participation is up-stream of the receptor tyrosine kinase. Substantial research has addressed these findings but meanwhile another mechanism of cross talk has been slowly emerging. For over a decade, a growing body of evidence has demonstrated that numerous growth factors use G-proteins and attendant signalling molecules such as beta-arrestins that participate down-stream of the receptor tyrosine kinase to signal to effectors, such as p42/p44 MAPK. This review highlights this novel mechanism of cross talk between receptor tyrosine kinases and GPCRs, which is distinct from growth factor receptor transactivation by GPCRs.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate induces proliferation and morphological changes of neural progenitor cells

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator that exerts multiple cellular functions through activation of G-protein-coupled receptors. Although the role of S1P on angiogenesis is well established, its role in neurogenesis is unknown. We examined the effects of S1P on G-protein activation in brain sections of rat embryo and on neural progenitor cells in culture. Intense S1P-stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS labeling was observed as early as E15 in the neuroepithelium and differentiating fields throughout the brain, suggesting that functional S1P receptors are expressed in brain areas with active neurogenesis. mRNA transcripts for several S1P receptor subtypes (S1P1, S1P2, S1P3 and S1P5) were expressed in neural progenitor cells prepared from embryonic rat hippocampus. S1P induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and proliferation of neural progenitor cells as determined by BrdU incorporation in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. These effects were prevented by the ERK signaling inhibitor U0126. S1P augmented telomerase activity in neural progenitor cells with similar potency as that of FGF-2. Furthermore, S1P induced cell-cell aggregation. This morphological change was transient and prevented by Y-27632, an inhibitor of Rho-associated kinase. These results suggest that S1P plays a pleiotropic role in neurogenesis via pathways involving S1P receptors, MAP kinases and Rho kinase.

Experimental Systems for Studying the Role of G-Protein-Coupled Receptors in Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signal Transduction

Early conception of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathways was that each represented distinct and linear modules that converged on downstream targets, such as p42/p44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). It has now become clear that this is not the case and that multiple levels of cross-talk exist between both receptor systems at early points during signaling events. In recent years, it has become apparent that transactivation of receptor tyrosine kinases by GPCR agonists is a general phenomenon that has been demonstrated for many unrelated GPCRs and receptor tyrosine kinases. In this case, GPCR/G-protein participation is upstream of the receptor tyrosine kinase. However, evidence now demonstrates that numerous growth factors use G proteins and associated signaling molecules such as beta-arrestins that participate downstream of the receptor tyrosine kinase to signal to effectors, such as p42/p44 MAPK. This article highlights experimental approaches used to investigate this novel mechanism of cross-talk between receptor tyrosine kinases and GPCRs.

S1P 3 ‐mediated Akt activation and crosstalk with platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)

Akt plays a pivotal role in cell survival and tumorigenesis. We investigated the potential interaction between sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the Akt signaling pathway. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from S1P receptor knockout mice, we show here that S1P3 was required for S473 phosphorylation of Akt by S1P. In addition, S1P-stimulated activation of Akt, but not ERK, was blocked by a PDGF receptor (PDGFR)-specific inhibitor, AG1296, suggesting a S1P3-mediated specific crosstalk between the Akt signaling pathways of S1P and PDGFR in MEFs. We investigated this crosstalk under different conditions and found that both Akt and ERK activation induced by S1P, but not lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), in HEY ovarian cancer cells required PDGFR but not epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGFR). Importantly, S1P induced a Gi-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of PDGFR in HEY cells. This dependence on PDGFR in S1P-induced Akt activation was also observed in A2780, T47D, and HMEC-1 cells (which express S1P3), but not in PC-3 or GI-101A cells (which do not express S1P3), further supporting that S1P3 mediates the crosstalk between S1P and PDGFR. This is the first report demonstrating a unique interaction between S1P3 and PDGFR, in addition to demonstrating a specific role for S1P3 in S1P-induced Akt activation.

Platelets induce reactive oxygen species-dependent growth of human skin fibroblasts

A growing amount of evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion, regulate intracellular signalling and have a role in cell proliferation. In the present study, we show that platelets increase the mitogenic rate in human fibroblasts and that this effect was inhibited by the intracellular antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and the NADPH-oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI). The mitogenic effects of platelets were mimicked by the platelet factors platelet-derived growth factor BB-isoform (PDGF-BB), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). The sphingosine kinase inhibitor DL-threo-dihydrosphingosine (DL-dihydro) abrogated the platelet-induced growth, while antibodies directed against PDGF or TGF-beta had modest effects. Exposure of fibroblasts to platelets, PDGF-BB, TGF-beta1 or S1P caused an extensive intracellular ROS production, measured as changes in dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. This ROS production was totally inhibited by NAC, pyrrolidinethiocarbamate (PDTC), DPI and apocynin. In conclusion, the results presented are indicative of a crucial role of ROS in the platelet-mediated regulation of fibroblast proliferation.

The aorta and heart differentially express RGS (regulators of G-protein signalling) proteins that selectively regulate sphingosine 1-phosphate, angiotensin II and endothelin-1 signalling

Normal cardiovascular development and physiology depend in part upon signalling through G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), such as the angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptors and endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor. Since regulator of G-protein signalling (RGS) proteins function as GTPase-activating proteins for the G alpha subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins, these proteins undoubtedly have functional roles in the cardiovascular system. In the present paper, we show that human aorta and heart differentially express RGS1, RGS2, RGS3S (short-form), RGS3L (long-form), PDZ-RGS3 (PDZ domain-containing) and RGS4. The aorta prominently expresses mRNAs for all these RGS proteins except PDZ-RGS3. Various stimuli that are critical for both cardiovascular development and function regulate dynamically the mRNA levels of several of these RGS proteins in primary human aortic smooth muscle cells. Both RGS1 and RGS3 inhibit signalling through the S1P(1) (formerly known as EDG-1), S1P(2) (formerly known as EDG-5) and S1P(3) (formerly known as EDG-3) receptors, whereas RGS2 and RGS4 selectively attenuate S1P(2)-and S1P(3)-receptor signalling respectively. All of the tested RGS proteins inhibit AT(1)-receptor signalling, whereas only RGS3 and, to a lesser extent, RGS4 inhibit ET(A)-receptor signalling. The conspicuous expression of RGS proteins in the cardiovascular system and their selective effects on relevant GPCR-signalling pathways provide additional evidence that they have functional roles in cardiovascular development and physiology.