Induction of apoptotic DNA fragmentation and cell death by natural ceramide

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Triggers Apoptosis via the Unfolded Protein Response in Melanoma Cells

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) describes a partially ionized gas carrying large amounts of reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS). Numerous studies reported strong antitumor activity of CAP, thus rendering it a promising approach for tumor therapy. Although several cellular mechanisms of its cytotoxicity were identified in recent years, the exact molecular effects and contributing signaling pathways are yet to be discovered. We discovered a strong activation of unfolded protein response (UPR) after CAP treatment with increased C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression, which was mainly caused by protein misfolding and calcium loss in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, both ceramide level and ceramide metabolism were reduced after CAP treatment, which was then linked to the UPR activation. Pharmacological inhibition of ceramide metabolism resulted in sensitization of melanoma cells for CAP both in vitro and ex vivo. This study identified a novel mechanism of CAP-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells and thereby contributes to its potential application in tumor therapy.

Sphingolipids as critical players in retinal physiology and pathology

Sphingolipids have emerged as bioactive lipids involved in the regulation of many physiological and pathological processes. In the retina, they have been established to participate in numerous processes, such as neuronal survival and death, proliferation and migration of neuronal and vascular cells, inflammation, and neovascularization. Dysregulation of sphingolipids is therefore crucial in the onset and progression of retinal diseases. This review examines the involvement of sphingolipids in retinal physiology and diseases. Ceramide (Cer) has emerged as a common mediator of inflammation and death of neuronal and retinal pigment epithelium cells in animal models of retinopathies such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinitis pigmentosa. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has opposite roles, preventing photoreceptor and ganglion cell degeneration but also promoting inflammation, fibrosis, and neovascularization in AMD, glaucoma, and pro-fibrotic disorders. Alterations in Cer, S1P, and ceramide 1-phosphate may also contribute to uveitis. Notably, use of inhibitors that either prevent Cer increase or modulate S1P signaling, such as Myriocin, desipramine, and Fingolimod (FTY720), preserves neuronal viability and retinal function. These findings underscore the relevance of alterations in the sphingolipid metabolic network in the etiology of multiple retinopathies and highlight the potential of modulating their metabolism for the design of novel therapeutic approaches.

Ceramide-1-phosphate promotes the migration of retina Müller glial cells

Müller glial cells, the major glial cell type in the retina, are activated by most retina injuries, leading to an increased proliferation and migration that contributes to visual dysfunction. The molecular cues involved in these processes are still ill defined. We demonstrated that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid, promotes glial migration. We now investigated whether ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), also a bioactive sphingolipid, was involved in Müller glial cell migration. We evaluated cell migration in primary Müller glial cultures, prepared from newborn rat retinas, by the scratch wound assay. Addition of either 10 μM C8-ceramide-1-phosphate (C8-C1P) or 5 μM C16-C1P (a long chain, natural C1P) stimulated glial migration. Inhibiting PI3K almost completely blocked C8-C1P-elicited migration whereas inhibition of ERK1-2/MAPK pathway diminished it and p38MAPK inhibition did not affect it. Pre-treatment with a cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) inhibitor markedly reduced C8-C1P-induced migration. Inhibiting ceramide kinase (CerK), the enzyme catalyzing C1P synthesis, partially decreased glial migration. Combined addition of S1P and C8-C1P promoted glial migration to the same extent as when they were added separately, suggesting they converge on their downstream signaling to stimulate Müller glia migration. These results suggest that C1P addition stimulated migration of glial Müller cells, promoting the activation of cPLA2, and the PI3K and ERK/MAPK pathways. They also suggest that CerK-dependent C1P synthesis was one of the factors contributing to glial migration, thus uncovering a novel role for C1P in controlling glial motility.

Sphingolipid Effects on the Plasma Membrane Produced by Addition of Fumonisin B1 to Maize Embryos

Fumonisin B1 is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides that modifies the membrane properties from animal cells and inhibits complex sphingolipids synthesis through the inhibition of ceramide synthase. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of Fumonisin B1 on the plant plasma membrane when the mycotoxin was added to germinating maize embryos. Fumonisin B1 addition to the embryos diminished plasma membrane fluidity, increased electrolyte leakage, caused a 7-fold increase of sphinganine and a small decrease in glucosylceramide in the plasma membrane, without affecting phytosphingosine levels or fatty acid composition. A 20%-30% inhibition of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity was observed when embryos were germinated in the presence of the mycotoxin. Such inhibition was only associated to the decrease in glucosylceramide and the addition of exogenous ceramide to the embryos relieved the inhibition of Fumonisin B1. These results indicate that exposure of the maize embryos for 24 h to Fumonisin B1 allowed the mycotoxin to target ceramide synthase at the endoplasmic reticulum, eliciting an imbalance of endogenous sphingolipids. The latter disrupted membrane properties and inhibited the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. Altogether, these results illustrate the mode of action of the pathogen and a plant defense strategy.

Mitofusin 1 is required for female fertility and to maintain ovarian follicular reserve

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that continually adapt their structure through fusion and fission in response to changes in their bioenergetic environment. Targeted deletion of mitochondrial fusion protein mitofusin1 (MFN1) in oocytes resulted in female infertility associated with failure to achieve oocyte maturation. Oocyte-granulosa cell communication was impaired, and cadherins and connexins were downregulated, resulting in follicle developmental arrest at the secondary follicle stage. Deletion of MFN1 in oocytes resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction and altered mitochondrial dynamics, as well as accumulation of ceramide, which contributed to increased apoptosis and a reproductive phenotype that was partially rescued by treatment with ceramide synthesis inhibitor myriocin. Absence of MFN1 and resulting apoptotic cell loss also caused depletion of ovarian follicular reserve, and a phenotype consistent with accelerated female reproductive aging.

Structure of Sphingolipids From Sea Cucumber Cucumaria frondosa and Structure-Specific Cytotoxicity Against Human HepG2 Cells

To investigate the relationship between structure and activity, three glucocerebroside series (CFC-1, CFC-2 and CFC-3), ceramides (CF-Cer) and long-chain bases (CF-LCB) of sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa (C. frondosa) were isolated and evaluated in HepG2 cells. The molecular species of CFC-1, CFC-2 and CFC-3 and CF-Cer were identified using reversed-phase liquid chromatography with heated electrospray ionization coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (RPLC-HESI-HRMS), and determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence: For the three glucocerebroside series, fatty acids (FA) were mainly saturated (18:0 and 22:0), monounsaturated (22:1, 23:1 and 24:1) and 2-hydroxyl FA (2-HFA) (23:1 h and 24:1 h), the structure of long-chain bases (LCB) were dihydroxy (d17:1, d18:1 and d18:2) and trihydroxy (t16:0 and t17:0), and the glycosylation was glucose; For CF-Cer, FA were primarily saturated (17:0) and monounsaturated (16:1 and 19:1), the structure of LCB were dihydroxy (d17:1 and d18:1), and trihydroxy (t16:0). The results of cell experiment indicated that all of three glucocerebroside series, CF-Cer and CF-LCB exhibited an inhibitory effects on cell proliferation. Moreover, CFC-3 was most effective in three glucocerebrosides to HepG-2 cell viability. The inhibition effect of CF-LCB was the strongest, and the inhibition effect of CF-Cer was much stronger than glucocerebrosides.

Synthesis and photochemical properties of PEGylated coumarin-caged ceramides for cell studies

Caged ceramide analogues (C6-, C16-, C18-, C22- and C24-Cer) have been prepared by introducing a hydrophilic coumarin-based cage bearing a short polyethylene glycol (PEG) chain. (6-Bromo-7-mTEGylated-coumarin-4-yl)methyl (Btc) caged ceramide showed efficient photo-uncaging to release the parent ceramide upon direct exposure to 350 nm UV light; in contrast (7-mTEGylated-coumarin-4-yl)methyl (Tc) caged ceramide was photolysed more slowly. In preliminary experiments, Btc-caged ceramides were taken up by cells and their photolysis led to decreases in cell viability, but not to activation of caspase enzymes, suggesting that either reactive oxygen species or an alternate caspase-independent pathway may be responsible for the decreases in cell viability caused by photolysis of caged ceramides.

Activation of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) and serum- and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase 1 (SGK1) by short-chain sphingolipid C4-ceramide rescues the trafficking defect of ΔF508-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (ΔF508-CFTR)

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is due to a folding defect in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common mutation, ΔF508, prevents CFTR from trafficking to the apical plasma membrane. Here we show that activation of the PDK1/SGK1 signaling pathway with C4-ceramide (C4-CER), a non-toxic small molecule, functionally corrects the trafficking defect in both cultured CF cells and primary epithelial cell explants from CF patients. The mechanism of C4-CER action involves a series of mutual autophosphorylation and phosphorylation events between PDK1 and SGK1. Detailed mechanistic studies indicate that C4-CER initially induces autophosphorylation of SGK1 at Ser(422). SGK1[Ser(P)(422)] and C4-CER coincidently bind PDK1 and permit PDK1 to autophosphorylate at Ser(241). Then PDK1[Ser(P)(241)] phosphorylates SGK1[Ser(P)(422)] at Thr(256) to generate fully activated SGK1[Ser(422), Thr(P)(256)]. SGK1[Ser(P)(422),Thr(P)(256)] phosphorylates and inactivates the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2. ΔF508-CFTR is thus free to traffic to the plasma membrane. Importantly, C4-CER-mediated activation of both PDK1 and SGK1 is independent of the PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. Physiologically, C4-CER significantly increases maturation and stability of ΔF508-CFTR (t½ ∼10 h), enhances cAMP-activated chloride secretion, and suppresses hypersecretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8). We suggest that candidate drugs for CF directed against the PDK1/SGK1 signaling pathway, such as C4-CER, provide a novel therapeutic strategy for a life-limiting disorder that affects one child, on average, each day.

C2-ceramide induces cell death and protective autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells

Ceramides are second messengers involved in several intracellular processes in cancer cells, amongst others. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of C2-ceramide (C2-Cer; N-acetyl-d-sphingosine) by investigating cell death and autophagy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. C2-Cer showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in HN4 and HN30 cell lines. It simultaneously induced caspase-3-independent apoptosis and programmed necrosis. C2-Cer markedly increased the expression level of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) type II associated with protective autophagy. An autophagy inhibitor enhanced C2-Cer-mediated cytotoxicity, while a programmed-necrosis inhibitor produced the opposite effect. Furthermore, C2-Cer up-regulated the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, but down-regulated its downstream substrate phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) during the autophagy process. These results suggested that C2-Cer exerts anti-tumor effects by inducing programmed apoptosis and necrosis in HNSCC, and these cytotoxic effects are enhanced by an autophagy inhibitor.

Individual profiles of free ceramide species and the constituent ceramide species of sphingomyelin and neutral glycosphingolipid and their alteration according to the sequential changes of environmental oxygen content in human colorectal cancer Caco-2 cells

We previously performed a systematic analysis of free ceramide (Cers) species, the constituent ceramide species of sphingomyelins and neutral glycosphingolipids (NGSLs) using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry with high-energy collision-induced dissociation. As a result, distinct species differences were found among Cers, sphingomyelins and NGSLs in the kidneys. Using this method, we investigated various sphingolipid species from human colon cancer Caco-2 cells as well as the influence of environmental oxygen on these species in detail. Unexpectedly, even in normoxia, all Cers species were composed of dihydrosphingosine (d18:0) and non-hydroxy fatty acid (NFA), and 34% of sphingomyelins were composed of dihydrosphingomyelins with NFA. In contrast, major constituent ceramide species of NGSLs were composed of the usual long-chain base of sphingosine (d18:1) and hydroxy fatty acid (HFA). When the cells were cultured under hypoxic condition for 3 days, all the Cers and nearly 80% of the sphingomyelins were dihydrosphingolipids composed of d18:0-NFAs, but a significant proportion of d18:1-HFAs still remained in the NGSLs. When the cells were transferred from conditions of hypoxia to normoxia again (reoxygenation), Cer species composed of d18:1-NFAs, which were not found in Cers under the original normoxic conditions, appeared. Such Cers were probably synthesized as precursors for the constituent ceramides of sphingomyelins and NGSLs.

2'-Hydroxy ceramide in membrane homeostasis and cell signaling

Ceramide is a precursor of complex sphingolipids and also plays important roles in cell signaling. With the advances in lipid analytical technologies, the structural diversity of ceramide species have become evident, and the complexity of cellular metabolism and function associated with distinct ceramide species is beginning to be revealed. One of the common structural variations of ceramide is 2'-hydroxylation of the N-acyl chain. Fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H) is one of the enzymes that introduce the hydroxyl group during de novo synthesis of ceramide. FA2H is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system, as evidenced by demyelinating disorder associated with FA2H mutations in humans and mice. Studies of Fa2h mutant mice indicate that lack of 2'-hydroxy galactosylceramide in the myelin membrane results in loss of long-term stability of myelin and eventual demyelination. FA2H also regulates differentiation of various cell types (epidermal keratinocytes, schwannoma cells, adipocytes). When provided exogenously, ceramide induces apoptosis in many cell types. Interestingly, the effective concentration of 2'-hydroxy ceramide that induces apoptosis is significantly lower compared to non-hydroxy ceramide, and cells die much more rapidly, suggesting that 2'-hydroxy ceramide can mediate proapoptotic signaling distinct from non-hydroxy ceramide. Collectively, current evidence clearly shows that 2'-hydroxy ceramide and 2'-hydroxy complex sphingolipids have unique functions in membrane homeostasis and cell signaling that could not be substituted by non-hydroxy counterparts.

Ceramide signaling in mammalian epidermis

Ceramide, the backbone structure of all sphingolipids, as well as a minor component of cellular membranes, has a unique role in the skin, by forming the epidermal permeability barrier at the extracellular domains of the outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, which is required for terrestrial mammalian survival. In contrast to the role of ceramide in forming the permeability barrier, the signaling roles of ceramide and its metabolites have not yet been recognized. Ceramide and/or its metabolites regulate proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in epidermal keratinocytes. Recent studies have further demonstrated that a ceramide metabolite, sphingosine-1-phosphate, modulates innate immune function. Ceramide has already been applied to therapeutic approaches for treatment of eczema associated with attenuated epidermal permeability barrier function. Pharmacological modulation of ceramide and its metabolites' signaling can also be applied to cutaneous disease prevention and therapy. The author here describes the signaling roles of ceramide and its metabolites in mammalian cells and tissues, including the epidermis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled The Important Role of Lipids in the Epidermis and their Role in the Formation and Maintenance of the Cutaneous Barrier. Guest Editors: Kenneth R. Feingold and Peter Elias.

2'-hydroxy C16-ceramide induces apoptosis-associated proteomic changes in C6 glioma cells

Ceramide is a bioactive sphingolipid involved in regulation of numerous cell signaling pathways. Evidence is accumulating that differences in ceramide structure, such as N-acyl chain length and desaturation of sphingoid base, determine the biological activities of ceramide. Using synthetic (R)-2'-hydroxy-C16-ceramide, which is the naturally occurring stereoisomer, we demonstrate that this ceramide has more potent pro-apoptotic activity compared to its (S) isomer or non-hydroxylated C16-ceramide. Upon exposure to (R)-2'-hydroxy-ceramide, C6 glioma cells rapidly underwent apoptosis as indicated by caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, chromatin condensation, and annexin V stain. A 2D gel proteomics analysis identified 28 proteins whose levels were altered during the initial 3 h of exposure. Using the list of 28 proteins, we performed a software-assisted pathway analysis to identify possible signaling events that would result in the observed changes. The result indicated that Akt and MAP kinase pathways are among the possible pathways regulated by (R)-2'-hydroxy-ceramide. Experimental validation confirmed that 2'-hydroxy-ceramide significantly altered phosphorylation status of Akt and its downstream effector GSK3β, as well as p38, ERK1/2, and JNK1/2 MAP kinases. Unexpectedly, robust phosphorylation of Akt was observed within 1 h of exposure to 2'-hydroxy-ceramide, followed by dephosphorylation. Phosphorylation status of MAPKs showed a complex pattern, in which rapid phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was followed by dephosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2 and phosphorylation of the 46 kDa isoform of JNK1/2. These data indicate that (R)-2'-hydroxy-ceramide regulates multiple signaling pathways by affecting protein kinases and phosphatases with kinetics distinct from that of the extensively studied non-hydroxy-ceramide or its unnatural stereoisomer.

Lipid ingredients in moisturizers can modulate skin responses to UV in barrier-disrupted human skin in vivo

BACKGROUND

Chemicals with a molecular weight <500 and adequate lipid solubility can penetrate the intact human skin. As many lipid ingredients in moisturizers have molecular weights <500, the lipid ingredients may penetrate into the skin and affect skin responses to UV; however, little is known about this phenomenon.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of major lipid ingredients in moisturizers on skin responses to UV in tape-stripped human skin in vivo.

METHODS

We evaluated the effects of three major lipid ingredients in moisturizers (cholesterol, linoleic acid, and a synthetic ceramide, N-oleoyl-phytosphingosine) on skin responses to UV in the tape-stripped skin of healthy volunteers. After 2 days of lipid-application, the areas were irradiated with UV, and skin samples were obtained 24h after irradiation. Histologic features and the expression of the markers of collagen metabolism and inflammatory mediators were evaluated.

RESULTS

Compared to vehicle, topical cholesterol significantly decreased the degree of dermal inflammatory infiltrates and exocytosis, and also decreased the expression of MMP-1, IL-6, and IL-1ß mRNA. In contrast, topical linoleic acid increased the induction of apoptotic cells, and the expression of MMP-1 and IL-6 mRNA. N-oleoyl-phytosphingosine increased the expression of MMP-1 and IL-6 mRNA, while decreasing the expression of COX-2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical cholesterol can protect the barrier-disrupted skin against UV-induced damage, while linoleic acid or N-oleoyl-phytosphingosine alone has the potential to aggravate the damage.

Hydroxylation state of fatty acid and long-chain base moieties of sphingolipid determine the sensitivity to growth inhibition due to AUR1 repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The structures of ceramide found in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are classified into five groups according to the hydroxylation states of the long-chain base and fatty acid moieties. This diversity is created through the action of enzymes encoded by SUR2, SCS7, and as yet unidentified hydroxylation enzyme(s). Aur1p is an enzyme catalyzing the formation of inositol phosphorylceramide in the yeast, and the defect leads to strong growth inhibition due to accumulation of ceramide and reductions in complex sphingolipid levels. In this study, we found that the deletion of SCS7 results in the enhancement of growth inhibition due to repression of AUR1 expression under the control of a tetracycline-regulatable promoter, whereas the deletion of SUR2 attenuates the growth inhibition. Under AUR1-repressive conditions, SCS7 and SUR2 mutants showed reductions in the complex sphingolipid levels and the accumulation of ceramide, like wild-type cells. On the other hand, the deletion of SCS7 had no effect on the growth inhibition through reductions in the complex sphingolipid levels caused by repression of LIP1 encoding a ceramide synthase subunit. Furthermore, the deletion of SUR2 did not suppress the growth inhibition under LIP1-repressive conditions. Therefore, it is suggested that the deletion of sphingolipid hydroxylases changes the toxicity of ceramide under AUR1-repressive conditions.

Fatty acid 2-Hydroxylation in mammalian sphingolipid biology

2-Hydroxy fatty acids (hFA) are important components of a subset of mammalian sphingolipids. The presence of hFA in sphingolipids is best described in the nervous system, epidermis, and kidney. However, the literature also indicates that various hFA-sphingolipids are present in additional tissues and cell types, as well as in tumors. Biosynthesis of hFA-sphingolipids requires fatty acid 2-hydroyxlase, and degradation of hFA-sphingolipids depends, at least in part, on lysosomal acid ceramidase and the peroxisomal fatty acid alpha-oxidation pathway. Mutations in the fatty acid 2-hydroxylase gene, FA2H, have been associated with leukodystrophy and spastic paraparesis in humans, underscoring the importance of hFA-sphingolipids in the nervous system. In the epidermis, hFA-ceramides are essential for the permeability barrier function. Physiological function of hFA-sphingolipids in other organs remains largely unknown. Recent evidence indicates that hFA-sphingolipids have specific roles in cell signaling.

Functional association of cell death suppressor, Arabidopsis Bax inhibitor-1, with fatty acid 2-hydroxylation through cytochrome b₅

Bax inhibitor-1 (BI-1) is a widely conserved cytoprotective protein localized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. We identified Arabidopsis cytochrome b(5) (AtCb5) as an interactor of Arabidopsis BI-1 (AtBI-1) by screening the Arabidopsis cDNA library with the split-ubiquitin yeast two-hybrid (suY2H) system. Cb5 is an electron transfer protein localized mainly in the ER membrane. In addition, a bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis confirmed that AtBI-1 interacted with AtCb5 in plants. On the other hand, we found that the AtBI-1-mediated suppression of cell death in yeast requires Saccharomyces cerevisiae fatty acid hydroxylase 1 (ScFAH1), which had a Cb5-like domain at the N terminus and interacted with AtBI-1. ScFAH1 is a sphingolipid fatty acid 2-hydroxylase localized in the ER membrane. In contrast, AtFAH1 and AtFAH2, which are functional ScFAH1 homologues in Arabidopsis, had no Cb5-like domain, and instead interacted with AtCb5 in plants. These results suggest that AtBI-1 interacts with AtFAHs via AtCb5 in plant cells. Furthermore, the overexpression of AtBI-1 increased the level of 2-hydroxy fatty acids in Arabidopsis, indicating that AtBI-1 is involved in fatty acid 2-hydroxylation.

Long-chain ceramide is a potent inhibitor of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore

The sphingolipid ceramide has been implicated in mediating cell death that is accompanied by mitochondrial functional alterations. Moreover, ceramide has been shown to accumulate in mitochondria upon induction of apoptotic processes. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effects of natural, highly hydrophobic long-chain ceramides on mitochondrial function in vitro. Ceramide in a dodecane/ethanol delivery system inhibited the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) induced by either oxidative stress, SH group cross-linking, or high Ca2+ load, suggesting that the inhibitory point is at a level at which major PTP regulatory pathways converge. Moreover, ceramide had no effect on well known mitochondrial components that modulate PTP activity, such as cyclophilin D, voltage-dependent anion channel, adenine nucleotide transporter, and ATP synthase. The inhibitory effect of ceramide on PTP was not stereospecific, nor was there a preference for ceramide over dihydroceramide. However, the effect of ceramide on PTP was significantly influenced by the fatty acid moiety chain length. These studies are the first to show that long-chain ceramide can influence PTP at physiologically relevant concentrations, suggesting that it is the only known potent natural inhibitor of PTP. These results suggest a novel mechanism of ceramide regulation of mitochondrial function.

Physicochemical and biological characterization of ceramide-containing liposomes: paving the way to ceramide therapeutic application

Ceramides mediate antiproliferative responses, and it has been proposed that increasing the level of ceramides in cancer cells may have a therapeutic antitumor effect. However, ceramides, because of their high "packing parameter" (PP), do not form lipid assemblies that can be dispersed in a form suitable for intravenous administration. We found that nanoliposomes containing short- or medium-chain ceramides are unstable because of their very high (>1.3) PP. To overcome this major obstacle, we included the lipopolymer 2kPEG-DSPE, which reduces the additive PP. The presence of PEG-DSPE allows the formation of highly stable (>1 year) ceramide (Cer)-containing nanoliposomes suitable for systemic administration. Using tumor cell lines, we found that the ceramide cytotoxicity was not impaired by their inclusion in nanoliposomes. The use of 14C-labeled ceramides shows that the C6Cer, but not C16Cer, was transferred from the nanoliposomes to the cells and metabolized efficiently. The difference between the two ceramides is related to the large difference between their critical aggregation concentration and was correlated with the much higher cytotoxity of liposomal C6Cer. The activity of 2kPEG-DSPE as a steric stabilizer (as previously shown for Doxil) was also confirmed for C6Cer-containing nanoliposomes. The 2kPEG-DSPE lipopolymer significantly reduced the desorption rate of the ceramide from the liposome bilayer, thereby allowing liposomes containing C6Cer to reach the tumor site and to demonstrate therapeutic efficacy.

Long-chain ceramide is elevated in presenilin 1 (PS1M146V) mouse brain and induces apoptosis in PS1 astrocytes

The pro-apoptotic sphingolipid ceramide plays an emergent role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), although its function for neurodegeneration is not known. We determined the concentration and composition of ceramide in hippocampal tissue from newborn presenilin 1 (PS1) knock-in (PS1M146V) mice, a mouse model for early-onset familial AD. We found that PS1 tissue contains 3.1 (+/-0.5)-fold more total ceramide than wild-type tissue. In particular, the proportion of C20 and C24 ceramide is increased by 4.0- or 8.5-fold, respectively. The ceramide elevation in PS1 brain is consistent with a 3.7 (+/-0.5)-fold increase of the protein level of the neurotrophin receptor p75NTR, which has been suggested to stimulate the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin to generate ceramide. The predominance of C20 and C24 ceramide is concurrent with the elevated gene expression of lass 2 and lass 4, two isoforms of ceramide synthase that generate dihydroceramide with long-chain fatty acid. Our study indicates that primary cultured astrocytes but not neurons from PS1 mice undergo apoptosis when incubated with C20 ceramide. In contrast, wild-type astrocytes remain unaffected. The sensitivity of PS1 astrocytes is most likely due to the 9.5 (+/-0.4)-fold elevated expression of PAR-4 (prostate apoptosis response-4), a protein that inhibits atypical PKC zeta/lambda in the presence of ceramide. Our results suggest that astroglial death due to ceramide/PAR-4-induced apoptosis may critically contribute to the etiology of AD.

Ceramide inhibits development and cytokinesis and induces apoptosis in preimplantation bovine embryos

Ceramide is a second messenger induced by various cellular insults that plays a regulatory role in apoptosis. The objective of the present study was to determine whether ceramide signaling can occur in the preimplantation embryo by testing (1) effects of ceramide on development, cytokinesis, and apoptosis and (2) whether heat shock, which can induce apoptosis in embryos, causes activation of neutral or acidic sphingomyelinases responsible for generation of ceramide. Treatment of embryos > or =16 cells collected at Day 5 after insemination with 50 microM C(2)-ceramide increased caspase-9 activity and the proportion of blastomeres undergoing apoptosis but did not increase caspase-8 activity. Induction of apoptosis was more extensive when culture with ceramide was for 24 hr than for 9 hr. Ceramide also reduced the proportion of embryos that developed to the blastocyst stage when exposure was for 24 hr. At the two-cell stage, a period in development when apoptosis responses are blocked, culture of embryos with ceramide did not increase caspase-9 activity or the proportion of blastomeres that were apoptotic. However, culture with ceramide for 24 hr reduced cell proliferation and caused an increase in multinucleated cells because of inhibition of cytokinesis. Exposure of Day 5 embryos to a heat shock of 41 degrees C for 15 hr increased neutral sphingomyelinase activity but did not change acid sphingomyelinase activity. In conclusion, ceramide can regulate embryo development and apoptosis in a time and stage-of-development dependent manner and ceramide generation can be activated by cellular insult. Thus, the ceramide signaling pathway is present in the preimplantation embryo.

On the effects of topical synthetic pseudoceramides: comparison of possible keratinocyte toxicities provoked by the pseudoceramides, PC104 and BIO391, and natural ceramides

BACKGROUND

Ceramides (Cer) in the stratum corneum are essential for epidermal permeability barrier function. Thus, topical Cer replacement therapy has been employed to improve barrier function in clinical situations associated with Cer deficiency, e.g., atopic dermatitis. Because of the disadvantages of both natural- and skin identical-Cer (central nervous system origins and cost, respectively), synthetic chemical mimics, or pseudoceramides (pseudo-Cer), have been utilized as Cer substitutes. Whereas increased levels of intracellular Cer trigger cell growth inhibition and apoptosis, Cer levels are maintained by metabolic/catabolic pathways protecting cells from Cer-induced apoptosis. However, since the metabolic fates of each pseudo-Cer remain unknown, their widespread deployment in topical agents has raised concern about potential toxicities.

OBJECTIVE

We compared the effects of two chemically unrelated commercially available pseudo-Cer to exogenous cell-permeant (C2)- or natural (C18)-Cer on cell growth and apoptosis thresholds in cultured human keratinocytes (CHK).

METHODS

Cell growth and cell toxicity of CHK exposed to either C2-Cer or pseudo-Cer were assessed by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Mitochondrial membrane potential, an indicator of apoptosis, was measured using membrane permeabilized semi-intact keratinocytes exposed C2-Cer, natural-Cer or pseudo-Cer.

RESULTS

While the cell-permeant-Cer inhibits keratinocyte growth and increases cell toxicity, neither of the pseudo-Cer showed these effects. Decreased mitochondrial membrane potential occurred in CHK incubated with cell-permeant- and natural-Cer, but not pseudo-Cer.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together with preclinical safety studies of these pseudo-Cer and their widespread use over the counter without evidence of toxicity, these studies provide further assurance about the safety of these pseudo-Cer for topical use.

Smart drugs for smarter stem cells: making SENSe (sphingolipid-enhanced neural stem cells) of ceramide

Ceramide and its derivative sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) are important signaling sphingolipids for neural stem cell apoptosis and differentiation. Most recently, our group has shown that novel ceramide analogs can be used to eliminate teratoma (stem cell tumor)-forming cells from a neural stem cell graft. In new studies, we found that S1P promotes survival of specific neural precursor cells that undergo differentiation to cells expressing oligodendroglial markers. Our studies suggest that a combination of novel ceramide and S1P analogs eliminates tumor-forming stem cells and at the same time, triggers oligodendroglial differentiation. This review discusses recent studies on the function of ceramide and S1P for the regulation of apoptosis, differentiation, and polarity in stem cells. We will also discuss results from ongoing studies in our laboratory on the use of sphingolipids in stem cell therapy.

Ceramide kinase and ceramide-1-phosphate

It has been over a decade since the sphingolipid ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) was described. Until recently, only sparse reports on possible biological functions for this lipid have been published. A large number of reports have now surfaced demonstrating distinct biological mechanisms regulated by C1P produced from ceramide kinase (CERK). In the following methods chapter, the methodologies for examining CERK function in vitro and in cells are outlined in detail. The methodologies for examining C1P levels and the use of exogenous C1P on cells to observe lipid specific effects on a particular biology are also detailed.

Cadmium-induced ceramide formation triggers calpain-dependent apoptosis in cultured kidney proximal tubule cells

A major target of cadmium (Cd2+) toxicity is the kidney proximal tubule (PT) cell. Cd2+-induced apoptosis of PT cells is mediated by sequential activation of calpains at 3–6 h and caspases-9 and -3 after 24-h exposure. Calpains also partly contribute to caspase activation, which emphasizes the importance of calpains for PT apoptosis by Cd2+. Upstream processes underlying Cd2+-induced calpain activation remain unclear. We describe for the first time that 10–50 μM Cd2+ causes a significant increase in ceramide formation by ∼22% (3 h) and ∼72% (24 h), as measured by diacylglycerol kinase assay. Inhibition of ceramide synthase with fumonisin B1 (3 μM) prevents ceramide formation at 3 h and abolishes calpain activation at 6 h, which is associated with significant attenuation of apoptosis at 3–6 h with Hoechst 33342 nuclear staining and/or 3(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) death assays. This indicates that Cd2+ enhances de novo ceramide synthesis and that calpains are a downstream target of ceramides in apoptosis execution. Moreover, addition of C6-ceramide to PT cells increases cytosolic Ca2+ and activates calpains. Apoptosis mediated by C6-ceramide at 24 h is significantly reduced by caspase-3 inhibition, which supports cross talk between calpain- and caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways. We conclude that Cd2+-induced apoptosis of PT cells entails endogenous ceramide elevation and subsequent Ca2+-dependent calpain activation, which propagates kidney damage by Cd2+.

Fatty acid 2-hydroxylase, encoded by FA2H, accounts for differentiation-associated increase in 2-OH ceramides during keratinocyte differentiation

Ceramides in mammalian stratum corneum comprise a heterogeneous mixture of molecular species that subserve the epidermal permeability barrier, an essential function for survival in a terrestrial environment. In addition to a variation of sphingol species, hydroxylation of the amide-linked fatty acids contributes to the diversity of epidermal ceramides. Fatty acid 2-hydroxylase, encoded by the gene FA2H, the mammalian homologue of FAH1 in yeast, catalyzes the synthesis of 2-hydroxy fatty acid-containing sphingolipids. We assessed here whether FA2H accounts for 2-hydroxyceramide/2-hydroxyglucosylceramide synthesis in epidermis. Reverse transcription-PCR and Western immunoblots demonstrated that FA2H is expressed in cultured human keratinocytes and human epidermis, with FA2H expression and fatty acid 2-hydroxylase activity increased with differentiation. FA2H-siRNA suppressed 2-hydroxylase activity and decreased 2-hydroxyceramide/2-hydroxyglucosylceramide levels, demonstrating that FA2H accounts for synthesis of these sphingolipids in keratinocytes. Whereas FA2H expression and 2-hydroxy free fatty acid production increased early in keratinocyte differentiation, production of 2-hydroxyceramides/2-hydroxyglucosylceramides with longer chain amide-linked fatty acids (> or =C24) increased later. Keratinocytes transduced with FA2H-siRNA contained abnormal epidermal lamellar bodies and did not form the normal extracellular lamellar membranes required for the epidermal permeability barrier. These results reveal that 1) differentiation-dependent up-regulation of ceramide synthesis and fatty acid elongation is accompanied by up-regulation of FA2H; 2) 2-hydroxylation of fatty acid by FA2H occurs prior to generation of ceramides/glucosylceramides; and 3) 2-hydroxyceramides/2-hydroxyglucosylceramides are required for epidermal lamellar membrane formation. Thus, late differentiation-linked increases in FA2H expression are essential for epidermal permeability barrier homeostasis.

An emulsion of sulfoquinovosylacylglycerol with long-chain alkanes increases its permeability to tumor cells

The alpha-anomer form of sulfoquinovosyl-monoacylglycerol with a saturated C18 fatty acid (alpha-SQMG-C(18:0)) is a natural sulfolipid that is a clinically promising antitumor agent. It forms vesicles, micelles or an emulsion in water, depending on several physicochemical conditions. The type of aggregate formed appears to strongly influence the bioactivity level. Thus, we investigated the nature of the aggregates in relation to their bioactivities. The structure of the alpha-SQMG-C(18:0) assembly was greatly affected by the type of additive used in the preparation. Emulsification with ethanol and n-decane might be more effective at inhibiting tumor cell growth than the micelle or vesicle preparations. alpha-SQMG-C(18:0) formed an "emulsion-like-aggregate" in ethanol containing an n-decane concentration in the range of 1.03-103 mM: . These ethanol/n-alkane/alpha-SQMG-C(18:0) aggregates inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, under optimum conditions (i.e., ethanol containing 103 mM: of n-decane or n-dodecane dispersed in phosphate-buffered saline or culture medium). Based on these data, we discuss the relationship between the molecular action of and antitumor activity by alpha-SQMG-C(18:0).

Generation of reactive oxygen species is an early event in dolichyl phosphate-induced apoptosis

The mechanism of induction of apoptosis by dolichyl phosphate (Dol-P) was investigated in U937 cells. Studies using isolated mitochondria revealed that the respiratory complex II activity was almost completely inhibited by 20 microg/ml of Dol-P but not by the same concentration of dolichol. Activities of complex I and III were also inhibited by Dol-P, but nearly 50% of activity still remained at 20 microg/ml. Dol-P induced release of cytochrome-c from the isolated mitochondria. Fluorometric microtiter plate assay revealed that generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased in a time-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis also indicated that Dol-P caused loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsi(m)) and increased ROS generation. The addition of the antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) significantly inhibited Dol-P-induced ROS generation and activation of caspase-3. A specific inhibitor of respiratory complex II, thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTFA), increased ROS generation, potentially mimicking the consequence of inhibition of electron flow at complex II by Dol-P in U937 cells. Electron microscopy revealed that mitochondria became swollen and spherical in shape by the treatment with Dol-P. Neither the tyrosine kinase inhibitor k252a nor mitogen activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 inhibited the Dol-P-induced apoptosis. Together, these results suggest that the direct disruption of mitochondrial respiratory complexes and the consequent ROS generation play a critical role in the initiation of Dol-P-induced apoptosis.

Effects of ceramide-1-phosphate on cultured cells: dependence on dodecane in the vehicle

Ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), the product of ceramide kinase, is a sphingophospholipid with recently recognized signaling properties. In particular, it was reported to be mitogenic and capable of direct stimulation of cytosolic phospholipase A(2alpha). Much of the present knowledge has relied on the use of C1P of various acyl chain lengths, together with diverse protocols to deliver it to cultured cells. A mixture of ethanol (or methanol) with dodecane, as the vehicle, has become popular. However, the contribution of this solvent to the observed effects of C1P has not been documented. Here, we show that addition of C1P in ethanol-dodecane to culture medium leads to irreversible cytotoxic effects. These culminate in mitochondrial swelling, vacuole formation, and cell death. Not only the toxicity of C1P, but also its ability to trigger prostaglandin E2 release, is fully dependent upon addition of a premade C1P-dodecane mixture. Furthermore, we show that these effects are not restricted to C1P. They result from the capacity of dodecane to interact with phospholipids; hence, they go undetected with a vehicle control. This study should raise awareness about the use of dodecane for phospholipid delivery and, in turn, help in unraveling C1P signaling, which is still poorly understood.

Tailoring structure-function and targeting properties of ceramides by site-specific cationization

In the course of our studies on compartment-specific lipid-mediated cell regulation, we identified an intimate connection between ceramides (Cers) and the mitochondria-dependent death-signaling pathways. Here, we report on a new class of cationic Cer mimics, dubbed ceramidoids, designed to act as organelle-targeted sphingolipids (SPLs), based on conjugates of Cer and dihydroceramide (dhCer) with pyridinium salts (CCPS and dhCCPS, respectively). Ceramidoids having the pyridinium salt unit (PSU) placed internally (alpha and gamma- CCPS) or as a tether (omega-CCPS) in the N-acyl moiety were prepared by N-acylation of sphingoid bases with different omega-bromo acids or pyridine carboxylic acid chlorides following capping with respective pyridines or alkyl bromides. Consistent with their design, these analogs, showed a significantly improved solubility in water, well-resolved NMR spectra in D(2)O, broadly modified hydrophobicity, fast cellular uptake, and higher anticancer activities in cells in comparison to uncharged counterparts. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells revealed that the location of the PSU and its overall chain length affected markedly the cytotoxic effects of these ceramidoids. All omega-CCPSs were more potent (IC(50/48 h): 0.6-8.0 microM) than their alpha/gamma-CCPS (IC(50/48 h): 8-20 microM) or D-erythro-C6-Cer (IC(50/48 h): 15 microM) analogs. omega-DhCCPSs were also moderately potent (IC(50/48 h): 2.5-12.5 microM). Long-chain omega-dhCCPSs were rapidly and efficiently oxidized in cells to the corresponding omega-CCPSs, as established by LC-MS analysis. CCPS analogs also induced acute changes in the levels and composition of endogenous Cers (upregulation of C16-, C14-, and C18-Cers, and downregulation of C24:0- and C24:1-Cers). These novel ceramidoids illustrate the feasibility of compartment-targeted lipids, and they should be useful in cell-based studies as well as potential novel therapeutics.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate is released by cerebellar astrocytes in response to bFGF and induces astrocyte proliferation through Gi-protein-coupled receptors

The mitogenic role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its involvement in basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-induced proliferation were examined in primary cultures of cerebellar astrocytes. Exposure to bFGF resulted in a rapid increase of extracellular S1P formation, bFGF inducing astrocytes to release S1P, but not sphingosine kinase, in the extracellular milieu. The SK inhibitor N,N-dimethylsphingosine inhibited S1P release as well as bFGF-induced growth stimulation. S1P application in quiescent astrocytes caused a dose-dependent increase in DNA synthesis. This gliotrophic effect was induced by a brief exposure to low nanomolar S1P, mimicked by the S1P receptor agonist dihydro-S1P, and inhibited by pertussis toxin (PTX), an inactivator of G(i)/G(o)-proteins. S1P also induced activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase that was inhibited again by PTX. Moreover, the S1P lyase inhibitor 4-deoxypyridoxine induced the cellular accumulation of S1P but did not affect DNA synthesis. These results support the view that S1P exerted a mitogenic effect on cerebellar astrocytes extracellularly, most likely through cell surface S1P receptors. In agreement, mRNAs for S1P1, S1P2, and S1P3 receptors are expressed in cerebellar astrocytes (Anelli et al., 2005. J Neurochem 92:1204-1215). Ceramide, a negative regulator of astrocyte proliferation and down-regulated by bFGF (Riboni et al., 2002. Cerebellum 1:129-135), efficiently inhibited S1P-induced proliferation. The S1P action appears to be part of an autocrine/paracrine cascade stimulated by bFGF and, together with ceramide down-regulation, essential for astrocytes to respond to bFGF. The results suggest that S1P and bFGF/S1P may play an important role in physiopathological glial proliferation, such as brain development, reactive gliosis and brain tumor formation.

Further characterization of mammalian ceramide kinase: substrate delivery and (stereo)specificity, tissue distribution, and subcellular localization studies

Recombinant human ceramide kinase (HsCERK) was analyzed with regard to dependence on divalent cations and to substrate delivery, spectrum, specificity, and stereoselectivity. Depending on the chain length of the ceramide, either albumin for short-chain ceramide or a mixed micellar form (octylglucoside/cardiolipin) for long-chain ceramide was preferred for the substrate delivery, the former resulting in higher activities. Bacterially expressed HsCERK was highly dependent on Mg2+ ions, much less on Ca2+ ions. A clear preference for the d-erythro isomer was seen. Various N-acylated amino alcohols were no substrate, but N-hexanoyl-1-O-hexadecyl-2-desoxy-2-amino-sn-glycerol and N-tetradecanoyl-2S-amino-1-butanol were phosphorylated, suggesting that the secondary hydroxy group is not required for recognition. The properties of HsCERK, expressed in CHO cells, were similar to those of the bacterially expressed protein, including the Mg2+ dependence. In mouse, the highest activities were found in testis and cerebellum, and upon subcellular fractionation the activity was recovered mainly in the microsomal fraction. This fits with the plasma membrane localization in CHO cells, which was mediated by the N-terminal putative pleckstrin domain. No evidence for phosphorylation of ceramide by the recently described multiple lipid kinase was found. The latter kinase is localized in the mitochondria, but no firm conclusions with regard to its substrate could be drawn.

Rapid Transbilayer Movement of Ceramides in Phospholipid Vesicles and inHumanErythrocytes

The transbilayer diffusion of unlabeled ceramides with different acyl chains (C6-Cer, C10-Cer, and C16-Cer) was investigated in giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and in human erythrocytes. Incorporation of a very small percentage of ceramides (approximately 0.1% of total lipids) to the external leaflet of egg phosphatidylcholine GUVs suffices to trigger a shape change from prolate to pear shape vesicle. By observing the reversibility of this shape change the transmembrane diffusion of lipids was inferred. We found a half-time for unlabeled ceramide flip-flop below 1 min at 37 degrees C. The rapid diffusion of ceramides in a phosphatidylcholine bilayer was confirmed by flip-flop experiments with a spin-labeled ceramide analogue incorporated into large unilamellar vesicles. Shape change experiments were also carried out with human erythrocytes to determine the trans-membrane diffusion of unlabeled ceramides into a biological membrane. Addition of exogenous ceramides to the external leaflet of human erythrocytes did not trigger echinocyte formation immediately as one would anticipate from an asymmetrical accumulation of new amphiphiles in the outer leaflet but only after approximately 15 min of incubation at 20 degrees C in the presence of an excess of ceramide. We interpret these data as being indicative of a rapid ceramide equilibration between both erythrocyte leaflets as indicated also by electron spin resonance spectroscopy with a spin-labeled ceramide. The late appearance of echinocytes could reveal a progressive trapping of a fraction of the ceramide molecules in the outer erythrocytes leaflet. Thus, we cannot exclude the trapping of ceramides into plasma membrane domains.

Sodium nitroprusside-induced osteoblast apoptosis is mediated by long chain ceramide and is decreased by raloxifene

Release of high levels of nitric oxide (NO) is associated with osteoblastic cell death. The mechanisms of NO-induced cytotoxicity are not well documented and it is presently not known if estrogenic compounds prevent this effect. We studied the role of ceramides in cell death induced by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and we tested the possibility that 17beta-estradiol, the anti-estrogen ICI 182.780 and two selective estrogen receptor modulators raloxifene and tamoxifen modify osteoblastic cell apoptosis. SNP dose-dependently decreased MC3T3-E1 osteoblast viability, increased NO production in the culture media and enhanced the release of intracellular ceramides C22 and C24. Cell death induced by SNP was partially inhibited when MC3T3-E1 cells were pretreated with raloxifene and tamoxifen but was not modified when the cells were pretreated with 17beta-estradiol or ICI 182.780. Cell death induced by SNP resulted from apoptosis as demonstrated by Annexin-V and propidium iodide labeling and a reduction of SNP-induced MC3T3-E1 apoptosis was confirmed in the presence of raloxifene and tamoxifen. SNP induction of C22 and C24 production was inhibited by a pretreatment with raloxifene but not with 17beta-estradiol. Moreover, the synthetic ceramide C24 (0.75 and 1microM) decreased MC3T3-E1 cell viability and osteoblast cell death induced by C24 was partially decreased by raloxifene and to a lesser extent by 17beta-estradiol. These data demonstrate that SNP-induced cell death is mediated by the long chain ceramides C22 and C24 and that raloxifene protected osteoblast from apoptosis induced by SNP, an effect that might be relevant to its pharmacological properties on bone remodeling.

Implications of galactocerebrosidase and galactosylcerebroside metabolism in cancer cells

Galactosylcerebroside is known to be overexpressed upon the cellular surface of a variety of cancers. In squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, one explanation for galactosylcerebroside accumulation has been identified as a transcriptional repression of the galactocerebrosidase gene. Galactocerebrosidase is the enzyme responsible for degrading galactosylcerebroside to ceramide. Ceramide is an important apoptosis activator, whereas galactosylcerebroside functions as an inhibitor. A shift of the ceramide metabolism balance in favor of glycosylated forms has been identified as a mechanism of drug resistance for several antineoplastic agents. Our review elaborates on possible explanations for galactocerebrosidase suppression and on other explanations for increased glycosphingolipid concentration within cancer cell membranes. Furthermore, conjecturable influences of a repressed galactocerebrosidase expression on tumor biology are to be explained. The inhibiting transcription factors YY1 and AP2 have been identified as potential galactocerebrosidase gene suppressors. The resulting accumulation of galactosylcerebroside promotes a reduction of cellular adhesion and inhibits apoptosis, leading to increased cellular growth, migration and prolonged cell survival contributing to carcinogenesis.

P-glycoprotein is implicated in the inhibition of ceramide-induced apoptosis in TF-1 acute myeloid leukemia cells by modulation of the glucosylceramide synthase pathway

OBJECTIVE

Ceramide, an intermediate of apoptosis induction in response to chemotherapy, can be detoxified by glycosylation at the cytoplasmic surface of the Golgi membrane. P-glycoprotein (p-gp) might augment ceramide glycosylation by translocating glucosylceramide (GC) across the Golgi membrane. We aimed to show that glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) activity is linked to p-gp expression and resistance to ceramide-induced apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODS

Apoptosis and cell-cycle analysis were measured using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Fluorescent microscopy assessed p-gp expression in, and rhodamine 123 uptake by, the Golgi. P-gp interaction with GC was assessed by modulation of rhodamine accumulation. The GCS activity assay was based upon the transfer of UDP-(3)H-glucose to C8-ceramide to form radiolabeled GC, by rate-limiting cell-derived GCS. TLC and fluorimetry were used to measure the metabolites of fluorescent ceramide. Cell viability was measured using 7-amino-actinomycin D staining and flow cytometry with an internal standard for cell enumeration.

RESULTS

P-gp(+) cell lines (KG1a, TF-1) were resistant to C8-ceramide-induced apoptosis compared to p-gp(-) cell lines (HL-60, U937). P-gp inhibitors GF120918 and cyclosporin A enhanced ceramide-induced apoptosis in the p-gp expressing cells. P-gp expression was identified in the Golgi of these cells. Pgp's efflux function in TF-1 but not KG1a cells was inhibited by glucosylceramide. In the presence of p-gp inhibitors, R123 accumulation in the Golgi of TF-1 cells was lost, and GCS activity and lactosylceramide formation were downregulated. Intact cells were necessary for the involvement of p-gp in the regulation of GCS activity.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests that ceramide induces apoptosis in AML cells and that p-gp confers resistance to ceramide-induced apoptosis, with modulation of the ceramide-glucosylceramide pathway making a marked contribution to this resistance in TF-1 cells.

Ceramide metabolite, not intact ceramide molecule, may be responsible for cellular toxicity

Ceramides, which are produced from the hydrolysis of sphingomyelin or synthesized from serine and palmitate in a de novo pathway, are regarded as important cellular signals for inducing apoptosis. However, controversy over this proposed role of ceramides exists. Using stable isotope labelling coupled with GC (gas chromatography)-MS and mass isotopomer distribution analysis, we have studied the metabolism of exogenous long-chain ceramides in HL60 cells. Our results do not support the concept of enhanced ceramide transport into cells induced by solvent mixtures of ethanol and hydrocarbons. In addition, cell toxicity does not correlate with the amount of intact ceramide in the cells. Our results are more consistent with a disturbance of sphingomyelin metabolism induced by the solvent mixture. The characteristics of this disturbed sphingolipid disposition are the inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturation and an enhanced degradation of sphingomyelin. As a consequence, dihydroceramides accumulate and the cellular sphingomyelin content decreases. Inhibition of these pathways is most likely to be induced by the increased production of novel ceramide metabolites instead of by intact ceramides. Octadecane-1,2-diol is identified as a possible mediator. Treatments that divert ceramide degradation to the novel pathway are potential strategies in cancer therapy for inducing cell toxicity.

Ceramide-1-phosphate: a novel regulator of cell activation

Ceramide-1-phosphate (CER-1-P) is emerging as a novel bioactive sphingolipid. It is formed by phosphorylation of ceramide catalyzed by ceramide kinase, and has been implicated in different cellular processes. Cer-1-P is mitogenic for fibroblasts, blocks apoptosis in macrophages, controls phagocytosis in neutrophils, and mediates inflammatory responses. Only recently have we started to uncover the signaling pathways that cytosolic phospholipase A2 and acid sphingomyelinase are direct intracellular targets of Cer-1-P, and that it may also induce phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 and calcium mobilization. These actions of Cer-1-P seem to be cell type-specific.

Presence of unsaturated sphingomyelins and changes in their composition during the life cycle of the moth Manduca sexta

NMR and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry were used to show for the first time the presence of sphingomyelins in extracts of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera). The sphingosine in the ceramide was identified as tetradecasphing-4-enine, and the fatty acids were C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, and C24:0 (compound 1). Heterogeneity in the ceramide was observed in sphingomyelins from M. sexta. All of the sphingomyelins were associated with their doubly unsaturated sphingosine, tetradecasphing-4,6-dienine (compound 2), which contained the same set of fatty acids as compound 1 and represents a novel set of sphingomyelins not previously reported in Lepidoptera. Lipid rafts were isolated from brains of M. sexta, and the association of these novel sphingomyelins with rafts was confirmed. The existence of the additional double bond was also observed in ceramide and ceramide phosphoethanolamine isolated from M. sexta. The levels of the doubly unsaturated ceramide showed modest changes during metamorphosis of M. sexta. These results suggest that Manduca sphingomyelins may participate in the formation of lipid rafts, in keeping with their function in vertebrates.

Synthetic, non-natural sphingolipid analogs inhibit the biosynthesis of cellular sphingolipids, elevate ceramide and induce apoptotic cell death

Numerous studies have demonstrated the participation of sphingolipids in signal transduction and regulation of cell growth. Several cellular stress agents have been shown to elevate ceramide, the basic precursor of all sphingolipids, initiating a cascade of events leading to arrest of the cell cycle, apoptosis and cell death. Aiming at inhibiting metabolic pathways of sphingolipid metabolism that might lead to an increase of cellular ceramide, we have synthesized non-natural analogs of ceramide, sphingosine and trimethylsphingosine. When the respective analogs were applied to HL60 human myeloid leukemic cells they inhibited the biosynthesis of sphingomyelin (SPM) and glycosphingolipids and induced apoptosis that led to cell death. A fluorescent procedure which has been developed for quantifying the biosynthesis of cellular ceramide indicated an increase in the ceramide content following an incubation with the synthetic analogs. These results suggest that the newly synthesized sphingolipid analogs might be valuable for potential application as a therapeutic modality in leukemia and other malignancies.

Liposomal delivery enhances short-chain ceramide-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells

It is therapeutically desirable to effectively deliver ceramide, an antimitogenic and proapoptotic lipid second messenger, to transformed cell types. However, the targeted delivery of cell-permeable ceramide analogs, including C6-ceramide, to cells may be impeded by the hydrophobicity of these bioactive lipids, resulting in reduced efficacy. The objective of this study is to develop and optimize liposomal vehicles to augment ceramide delivery to a breast adenocarcinoma cell line. We designed conventional, cationic, and pegylated drug release vesicles to efficaciously deliver ceramide to MDA-MB-231 breast adenocarcinoma cells. In vitro pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that liposomal ceramide delivery resulted in significantly greater accumulation of ceramide in MDA-MB-231 cells. Ceramide-formulated liposomes significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation as compared with nonliposomal administration of ceramide. Ceramide-induced apoptosis correlated with the pharmacokinetic profile and the diminished proliferation in this highly aggressive, metastatic cell line. Liposomal ceramide formulations inhibited phosphorylated Akt levels and stimulated caspase-3/7 activity more effectively than nonliposomal ceramide, events consistent with apoptosis. Together, these results indicate that bioactive ceramide analogs can be incorporated into conventional, cationic, or pegylated liposomal vehicles for improved drug delivery and release.

Regulation of cell death in mitotic neural progenitor cells by asymmetric distribution of prostate apoptosis response 4 (PAR-4) and simultaneous elevation of endogenous ceramide

Cell death and survival of neural progenitor (NP) cells are determined by signals that are largely unknown. We have analyzed pro-apoptotic signaling in individual NP cells that have been derived from mouse embryonic stem cells. NP formation was concomitant with elevated apoptosis and increased expression of ceramide and prostate apoptosis response 4 (PAR-4). Morpholino oligonucleotide-mediated antisense knockdown of PAR-4 or inhibition of ceramide biosynthesis reduced stem cell apoptosis, whereas PAR-4 overexpression and treatment with ceramide analogs elevated apoptosis. Apoptotic cells also stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (a nuclear mitosis marker protein), but not for nestin (a marker for NP cells). In mitotic cells, asymmetric distribution of PAR-4 and nestin resulted in one nestin(-)/PAR-4(+) daughter cell, in which ceramide elevation induced apoptosis. The other cell was nestin(+), but PAR-4(-), and was not apoptotic. Asymmetric distribution of PAR-4 and simultaneous elevation of endogenous ceramide provides a possible mechanism underlying asymmetric differentiation and apoptosis of neuronal stem cells in the developing brain.

Positive inotropic effect of ceramide in adult ventricular myocytes: mechanisms dissociated from its reduction in Ca2+ influx

Ceramide, a sphingolipid metabolite produced by activation of sphingomyelinase, has been previously shown to reduce L-type Ca2+ channel current (ICa,L) in adult rat ventricular myocytes; however, its effect on contractile function is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of ceramide on excitation-contraction coupling in adult ventricular myocytes and on left ventricular (LV) function in isolated hearts. Surprisingly, in patch-clamped myocytes, ceramide increased contraction concomitant with reductions in ICa,L. In intact myocytes, ceramide increased cell shortening (CS) concurrently with enhancing maximum rates of shortening and relaxation and the duration of contraction. Ceramide also increased the amplitudes of postrest potentiated (PRP) contraction. In fura-PE3-loaded myocytes, ceramide increased systolic Ca2+ and the magnitude and maximum rates of the rising and declining phases of Ca2+ transients. Ceramide-elicited decreases in magnitudes of PRP relative to steady-state contraction and the Ca2+ transient suggest an increased fractional Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). However, ceramide slightly reduced the caffeine-induced Ca2+ transient and had no significant effect on the amplitude of the PRP-elicited Ca2+ transient. Additionally, the ceramide-induced upward shift in the relationship of contraction and the Ca2+ transient and increase in the Ca2+ responsiveness of CS suggest an increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity. In isolated hearts, ceramide increased LV developed pressure and maximum rates of contraction and relaxation at balloon volumes of 30-50 microl. In summary, regardless of decreasing ICa,L, ceramide elicits distinct positive inotropic and lusitropic effects, resulting probably from enhanced SR Ca2+ release and uptake, and increased Ca2+ sensitivity of ventricular myocytes.

Glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine modulate calcium mobilization from brain microsomes via different mechanisms

We recently demonstrated that elevation of intracellular glucosylceramide (GlcCer) levels results in increased functional Ca2+ stores in cultured neurons, and suggested that this may be due to modulation of ryanodine receptors (RyaRs) by GlcCer (Korkotian, E., Schwarz, A., Pelled, D., Schwarzmann, G., Segal, M. and Futerman, A. H. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21673-21678). We now systematically examine the effects of exogenously added GlcCer, other glycosphingolipids (GSLs) and their lyso-derivatives on Ca2+ release from rat brain microsomes. GlcCer had no direct effect on Ca2+ release, but rather augmented agonist-stimulated Ca2+ release via RyaRs, through a mechanism that may involve the redox sensor of the RyaR, but had no effect on Ca2+ release via inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors. Other GSLs and sphingolipids, including galactosylceramide, lactosylceramide, ceramide, sphingomyelin, sphingosine 1-phosphate, sphinganine 1-phosphate, and sphingosylphosphorylcholine had no effect on Ca2+ mobilization from rat brain microsomes, but both galactosylsphingosine (psychosine) and glucosylsphingosine stimulated Ca2+ release, although only galactosylsphingosine mediated Ca2+ release via the RyaR. Finally, we demonstrated that GlcCer levels were approximately 10-fold higher in microsomes prepared from the temporal lobe of a type 2 Gaucher disease patient compared with a control, and Ca2+ release via the RyaR was significantly elevated, which may be of relevance for explaining the pathophysiology of neuronopathic forms of Gaucher disease.