Role of sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine-1-phosphate in CD40 signaling and IgE class switching

Loss of sphingosine kinase 2 protects against cisplatin-induced kidney injury

Cisplatin is an established chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of solid-organ cancers and is the primary drug used in the treatment of head and neck cancer; however, cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity largely limits its clinical use. Inhibition of sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) has been demonstrated to alleviate various kidney diseases. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhibition of SphK2 could also protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Results from the present study showed that the SphK2 inhibitor ABC294640 or knockdown of SphK2 by siRNA blocked the cisplatin-induced increase of cellular injury markers (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, kidney injury molecule-1, and cleaved caspase-3) by Western blot analysis in HK-2 cells, a human renal tubular cell line. In addition, SphK2 inhibition blocked cisplatin-induced activation of NF-κB by Western blot analysis and immunostaining analysis. Furthermore, SphK2 inhibition suppressed cisplatin-induced increases of proinflammatory markers (NLR family pyrin domain containing 3, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6). Genetic deletion of the SphK2 gene in mice further confirmed that inhibition of SphK2 protected against cisplatin-induced kidney damage in vivo. Compared with wild-type mice, SphK2 knockout mice exhibited less renal dysfunction and reduced promotion of kidney injury markers, inflammatory factors, tubular morphology damage, and fibrotic staining. At the same time, the SphK2 inhibitor ABC294640 failed to interfere with the activity of cisplatin or radiation in two cell culture models of head and neck cancer. It is concluded that inhibition of Sphk2 protects against cisplatin-induced kidney injury. SphK2 may be used as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention or treatment of cisplatin-induced kidney injury.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study provides new findings that sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2) is highly expressed in renal tubules, cisplatin treatment increases the expression of SphK2 in proximal tubular cells and kidneys, and inhibition of SphK2 alleviates cisplatin-induced kidney injury by suppressing the activation of NF-κB, production of inflammatory factors, and apoptosis. SphK2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention or treatment of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Known and potential molecules associated with altered B cell development leading to predominantly antibody deficiencies

Predominantly antibody deficiencies (PADs) encompass a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by low immunoglobulin serum levels in the presence or absence of peripheral B cells. Clinical presentation of affected patients may include recurrent respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, invasive infections, autoimmune manifestations, allergic reactions, lymphoproliferation, and increased susceptibility to malignant transformation. In the last decades, several genetic alterations affecting B-cell development/maturation have been identified as causative of several forms of PADs, adding important information on the genetic background of PADs, which in turn should lead to a better understanding of these disorders and precise clinical management of affected patients. This review aimed to present a comprehensive overview of the known and potentially involved molecules in the etiology of PADs to elucidate the pathogenesis of these disorders and eventually offer a better prognosis for affected patients.

Molecular cloning of duck CD40 and its immune function research

Cosignal molecules are cell surface molecules that transduce signals to other cells to modulate immune response positively (costimulate) or negatively (cosuppress). Costimulatory signals are key factors in determining whether T/B cells are capable of responding to specific antigens and ultimately mediating an appropriate immune response. In this study, the cDNA sequence containing the complete coding frame of the costimulatory molecule duck CD40 gene was cloned and reported for the first time, and its mediated antiviral innate immune was verified in vitro. Results suggested duck CD40 molecule plays an important role in the innate immune responsiveness against some viruses. These data will be beneficial for the further understand of the avian immune system.

CD40 Enhances Sphingolipids in Orbital Fibroblasts: Potential Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate in Inflammatory T-Cell Migration in Graves' Orbitopathy

Purpose

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is an autoimmune orbital disorder associated with Graves' disease caused by thyrotropin receptor autoantibodies. Orbital fibroblasts (OFs) and CD40 play a key role in disease pathogenesis. The bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has been implicated in promoting adipogenesis, fibrosis, and inflammation in OFs. We investigated the role of CD40 signaling in inducing S1P activity in orbital inflammation.

Methods

OFs and T cells were derived from GO patients and healthy control (Ctl) persons. S1P abundance in orbital tissues was evaluated by immunofluorescence. OFs were stimulated with CD40 ligand and S1P levels were determined by ELISA. Further, activities of acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), acid ceramidase, and sphingosine kinase were measured by ultraperformance liquid chromatography. Sphingosine and ceramide contents were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Finally, the role for S1P in T-cell attraction was investigated by T-cell migration assays.

Results

GO orbital tissue showed elevated amounts of S1P as compared to control samples. Stimulation of CD40 induced S1P expression in GO-derived OFs, while Ctl-OFs remained unaffected. A significant increase of ASM and sphingosine kinase activities, as well as lipid formation, was observed in GO-derived OFs. Migration assay of T cells in the presence of SphK inhibitor revealed that S1P released by GO-OFs attracted T cells for migration.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that CD40 ligand stimulates GO fibroblast to produce S1P, which is a driving force for T-cell migration. The results support the use of S1P receptor signaling modulators in GO management.

Sphingosine kinase 1 activation by estrogen receptor α36 contributes to tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer

In breast cancer, 17β-estradiol (E2) plays critical roles mainly by binding to its canonical receptor, estrogen receptor (ER) α66, and eliciting genomic effects. E2 also triggers rapid, nongenomic responses. E2 activates sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), increasing sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) that binds to its receptors, leading to important breast cancer signaling. However, the E2 receptor responsible for SphK1 activation has not yet been identified. Here, we demonstrate in triple-negative breast cancer cells, which lack the canonical ERα66 but express the novel splice variant ERα36, that ERα36 is the receptor responsible for E2-induced activation of SphK1 and formation and secretion of S1P and dihydro-S1P, the ligands for S1PRs. Tamoxifen, the first-line endocrine therapy for breast cancer, is an antagonist of ERα66, but an agonist of ERα36, and, like E2, activates SphK1 and markedly increases secretion of S1P. A major problem with tamoxifen therapy is development of acquired resistance. We found that tamoxifen resistance correlated with increased SphK1 and ERα36 expression in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells, in patient-derived xenografts, and in endocrine-resistant breast cancer patients. Our data also indicate that targeting this ERα36 and SphK1 axis may be a therapeutic option to circumvent endocrine resistance and improve patient outcome.

Sphingolipids and their enigmatic role in asthma

Asthma is defined as a chronic inflammatory condition in the lung and is characterized by episodic shortness of breath with expiratory wheezing and cough. Asthma is a serious public health concern globally with an estimated incidence over 300 million. Asthma is a complex disease in that it manifests as disease of gene and environmental interactions. Sphingolipids are a unique class of lipids involved in a host of biological functions ranging from serving as key cellular membrane lipids to acting as critical signaling molecules. To date sphingolipids have been studied across various human conditions ranging from neurological disorders to cancer to infection to autoimmunity. This review will focus on the role of sphingolipids in asthma development and pathology with particular focus on the role of mast cell sphingolipid biology.

In Vivo Imaging of Immune Cells in Peyer's Patches

Peyer's patches (PPs) are secondary lymphoid organs that coordinate the immunoglobulin A (IgA) response against commensal and pathogenic bacteria. In contrast to the immune dynamics in peripheral lymph nodes, the dynamics of immune response in PP have not been extensively characterized in vivo by two-photon microscopy, mainly due to the PP location on the anti-mesenteric side of the small intestine and the associated peristaltic movement.Here, we describe an approach based on a custom-made spring-loaded platform to immobilize PPs and allow for two-photon microscopy imaging in vivo. We also list different strategies based on fluorescent dyes, as well as Cre/Lox and Reporter-based system, that can be used to image specific immune cell populations in distinct areas of PPs.

Transient receptor potential channel 1 maintains adherens junction plasticity by suppressing sphingosine kinase 1 expression to induce endothelial hyperpermeability

Stability of endothelial cell (EC) adherens junctions (AJs) is central for prevention of tissue edema, the hallmark of chronic inflammatory diseases including acute respiratory distress syndrome. Here, we demonstrate a previously unsuspected role of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) in the mechanism by which transient receptor potential channel 1 (Trpc1)-mediated Ca(2+) entry destabilizes AJs. Trpc1(-/-) monolayers showed a 2.2-fold increase in vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin cell-surface expression above wild-type (WT) monolayers. Thrombin increased endothelial permeability (evident by a 5-fold increase in interendothelial gap area and 60% decrease in transendothelial electrical resistance) in WT but not Trpc1(-/-) ECs. Trpc1(-/-) mice resisted the hyperpermeability effects of the edemagenic agonists used and exhibited 60% less endotoxin-induced mortality. Because sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) strengthens AJs, we determined if TRPC1 functioned by inhibiting SPHK1 activity, which generates S1P. Intriguingly, Trpc1(-/-) ECs or ECs transducing a TRPC1-inactive mutant showed a 1.5-fold increase in basal SPHK1 expression compared with WT ECs, resulting in a 2-fold higher S1P level. SPHK1 inhibitor SK1-I decreased basal transendothelial electrical resistance more in WT ECs (48 and 72% reduction at 20 and 50 μM, respectively) than in Trpc1(-/-) ECs. However, SK1-I pretreatment rescued thrombin-induced EC permeability in Trpc1(-/-) ECs. Thus, TRPC1 suppression of basal SPHK1 activity enables EC-barrier destabilization by edemagenic agonists.