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Liu J, Liu X, Luo Y, Huang F, Xie Y, Zheng S, Jia B, Xiao Z. Sphingolipids: drivers of cardiac fibrosis and atrial fibrillation. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:149-165. [PMID: 38015241 PMCID: PMC10858135 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-023-02391-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Sphingolipids (SLs) are vital constituents of the plasma membrane of animal cells and concurrently regulate numerous cellular processes. An escalating number of research have evinced that SLs assume a crucial part in the progression of tissue fibrosis, a condition for which no efficacious cure exists as of now. Cardiac fibrosis, and in particular, atrial fibrosis, is a key factor in the emergence of atrial fibrillation (AF). AF has become one of the most widespread cardiac arrhythmias globally, with its incidence continuing to mount, thereby propelling it to the status of a major public health concern. This review expounds on the structure and biosynthesis pathways of several pivotal SLs, the pathophysiological mechanisms of AF, and the function of SLs in cardiac fibrosis. Delving into the influence of sphingolipid levels in the alleviation of cardiac fibrosis offers innovative therapeutic strategies to address cardiac fibrosis and AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ximao Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yucheng Luo
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fangze Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Xie
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaoyi Zheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Bo Jia
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zezhou Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Basu SK, Prislovsky A, Lenchik N, Stephenson DJ, Agarwal R, Chalfant CE, Mandal N. Mouse Model of Nitrogen Mustard Ocular Surface Injury Characterization and Sphingolipid Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:742. [PMID: 38255815 PMCID: PMC10815872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Vesicating chemicals like sulfur mustard (SM) or nitrogen mustard (NM) can cause devastating damage to the eyes, skin, and lungs. Eyes, being the most sensitive, have complicated pathologies that can manifest immediately after exposure (acute) and last for years (chronic). No FDA-approved drug is available to be used as medical counter measures (MCMs) against such injuries. Understanding the pathological mechanisms in acute and chronic response of the eye is essential for developing effective MCMs. Here, we report the clinical and histopathological characterization of a mouse model of NM-induced ocular surface injury (entire surface) developed by treating the eye with 2% (w/v) NM solution for 5 min. Unlike the existing models of specific injury, our model showed severe ocular inflammation, including the eyelids, structural deformity of the corneal epithelium and stroma, and diminished visual and retinal functions. We also observed alterations of the inflammatory markers and their expression at different phases of the injury, along with an activation of acidic sphingomyelinase (aSMase), causing an increase in bioactive sphingolipid ceramide and a reduction in sphingomyelin levels. This novel ocular surface mouse model recapitulated the injuries reported in human, rabbit, and murine SM or NM injury models. NM exposure of the entire ocular surface in mice, which is similar to accidental or deliberate exposure in humans, showed severe ocular inflammation and caused irreversible alterations to the corneal structure and significant vision loss. It also showed an intricate interplay between inflammatory markers over the injury period and alteration in sphingolipid homeostasis in the early acute phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandip K. Basu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
| | - Amanda Prislovsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
- Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
| | - Nataliya Lenchik
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
| | - Daniel J. Stephenson
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (D.J.S.); (C.E.C.)
| | - Rajesh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Charles E. Chalfant
- Departments of Medicine and Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (D.J.S.); (C.E.C.)
- Research Service, Richmond Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Nawajes Mandal
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA; (S.K.B.); (A.P.); (N.L.)
- Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN 38104, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Health Science Centre, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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