Inhibition of sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase activates human keratinocyte differentiation and attenuates psoriasis in mice.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) lyase is an intracellular enzyme that catalyzes the irreversible degradation of S1P and has been suggested as a therapeutic target for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. Because S1P induces differentiation of keratinocytes, we examined whether modulation of S1P lyase and altered intracellular S1P levels regulate proliferation and differentiation of human neonatal epidermal keratinocyte (HEKn) cells. To identify the physiological functions of S1P lyase in skin, we inhibited S1P lyase in HEKn cells with an S1P lyase-specific inhibitor (SLI) and with S1P lyase 1 (SGPL1)-specific siRNA (siSGPL1). In HEKn cells, pharmacological treatment with the SLI caused G1 arrest by upregulation of p21 and p27 and induced keratin 1, an early differentiation marker. Similarly, genetic suppression by siSGPL1 arrested the cell cycle at the G1 phase and activated differentiation. In addition, enzyme suppression by siSGPL1 upregulated keratin 1 and differentiation markers including involucrin and loricrin. When hyperproliferation of HEKn cells was induced by interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22, pharmacologic inhibition of S1P lyase by SLI decreased proliferation and activated differentiation of HEKn cells simultaneously. In addition, SLI administration ameliorated imiquimod-induced psoriatic symptoms including erythema, scaling, and epidermal thickness in vivo. We thus demonstrated that S1P lyase inhibition reduces cell proliferation and induces keratinocyte differentiation, and that inhibition may attenuate psoriasiform changes. Collectively, these findings suggest that S1P lyase is a modulating factor for proliferation and differentiation, and support its potential as a therapeutic target for psoriasis in human keratinocytes.

Real-time monitoring strategies for optimization of in vitro transcription and quality control of RNA.

RNA-based therapeutics and vaccines are opening up new avenues for modern medicine. To produce these useful RNA-based reagents, in vitro transcription (IVT) is an important reaction that primarily determines the yield and quality of the product. Therefore, IVT condition should be well optimized to achieve high yield and purity of transcribed RNAs. To this end, real-time monitoring of RNA production during IVT, which allows for fine tuning of the condition, would be required. Currently, light-up RNA aptamer and fluorescent dye pairs are considered as useful strategies to monitor IVT in real time. Fluorophore-labeled antisense probe-based methods can also be used for real-time IVT monitoring. In addition, a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based method that can monitor IVT reagent consumption has been developed as a powerful tool to monitor IVT reaction in near real-time. This mini-review briefly introduces some strategies and examples for real-time IVT monitoring and discusses pros and cons of IVT monitoring methods.

Efficient circular RNA engineering by end-to-end self-targeting and splicing reaction using Tetrahymena group I intron ribozyme.

Circular RNA (circRNA) has various advantages over linear mRNA that is gaining success as a new vaccine and therapeutic agent. Thus, circRNA and its engineering methods have attracted attention recently. In this study, we developed a new in vitro circRNA engineering method by end-to-end self-targeting and splicing (STS) reaction using Tetrahymena group I intron ribozyme. We found that only the P1 helix structure of the group I intron was enough to generate circRNA by STS reaction. The efficacy of circRNA generation by STS reaction was comparable to the method using a permuted intron-exon (PIE) reaction. However, an end-to-end STS reaction does not introduce any extraneous fragments, such as an intronic scar that can be generated by PIE reaction and might trigger unwanted innate immune responses in cells, into circRNA sequences. Moreover, generated circRNA was efficiently purified by ion pair-reversed phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and used for cell-based analysis. Of note, efficient protein expression and stability with least innate immune induction by the circRNA with coxsackievirus B3 IRES were observed in cells. In conclusion, our new in vitro circRNA strategy can effectively generate highly useful circRNAs in vitro as an alternative circRNA engineering method.

Bioactive Sphingolipids as Major Regulators of Coronary Artery Disease.

Atherosclerosis is the deposition of plaque in the main arteries. It is an inflammatory condition involving the accumulation of macrophages and various lipids (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, ceramide, S1P). Moreover, endothelial cells, macrophages, leukocytes, and smooth muscle cells are the major players in the atherogenic process. Sphingolipids are now emerging as important regulators in various pathophysiological processes, including the atherogenic process. Various sphingolipids exist, such as the ceramides, ceramide-1-phosphate, sphingosine, sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), sphingomyelin, and hundreds of glycosphingolipids. Among these, ceramides, glycosphingolipids, and S1P play important roles in the atherogenic processes. The atherosclerotic plaque consists of higher amounts of ceramide, glycosphingolipids, and sphingomyelin. The inhibition of the de novo ceramide biosynthesis reduces the development of atherosclerosis. S1P regulates atherogenesis via binding to the S1P receptor (S1PR). Among the five S1PRs (S1PR1-5), S1PR1 and S1PR3 mainly exert anti-atherosclerotic properties. This review mainly focuses on the effects of ceramide and S1P via the S1PR in the development of atherosclerosis. Moreover, it discusses the recent findings and potential therapeutic implications in atherosclerosis.

Ceramide and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in Liver Diseases.

The liver is an important organ in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. It is responsible for systemic energy homeostasis. When energy need exceeds the storage capacity in the liver, fatty acids are shunted into nonoxidative sphingolipid biosynthesis, which increases the level of cellular ceramides. Accumulation of ceramides alters substrate utilization from glucose to lipids, activates triglyceride storage, and results in the development of both insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis, increasing the likelihood of major metabolic diseases. Another sphingolipid metabolite, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive signaling molecule that acts via S1P-specific G protein coupled receptors. It regulates many cellular and physiological events. Since an increase in plasma S1P is associated with obesity, it seems reasonable that recent studies have provided evidence that S1P is linked to lipid pathophysiology, including hepatosteatosis and fibrosis. Herein, we review recent findings on ceramides and S1P in obesity-mediated liver diseases and the therapeutic potential of these sphingolipid metabolites.

Celecoxib-mediated activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress induces de novo ceramide biosynthesis and apoptosis in hepatoma HepG2 cells mobilization.

Ceramides are the major sphingolipid metabolites involved in cell survival and apoptosis. When HepG2 hepatoma cells were treated with celecoxib, the expression of the genes in de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis and sphingomyelinase pathway was upregulated and cellular ceramide was elevated. In addition, celecoxib induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in a time-dependent manner. SPTLC2, a subunit of serine palmitoyltransferase, was overexpressed by adenovirus. Adenoviral overexpression of SPTLC2 (AdSPTLC2) decreased cell viability of HEK293 and HepG2 cells. In addition, AdSPTLC2 induced apoptosis via the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway and elevated cellular ceramide, sphingoid bases, and dihydroceramide. However, overexpression of SPTLC2 did not induce ER stress. Collectively, celecoxib activates de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis and the combined effects of elevated ceramide and transcriptional activation of ER stress induce apoptosis. However, activation of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis does not activate ER stress in hepatoma cells and is distinct from the celecoxib-mediated activation of ER stress. [BMB Reports 2017; 50(3): 144-149].

Adipocyte-Specific Deficiency of De Novo Sphingolipid Biosynthesis Leads to Lipodystrophy and Insulin Resistance.

Sphingolipids have been implicated in the etiology of chronic metabolic diseases. Here, we investigated whether sphingolipid biosynthesis is associated with the development of adipose tissues and metabolic diseases. SPTLC2, a subunit of serine palmitoyltransferase, was transcriptionally upregulated in the adipose tissues of obese mice and in differentiating adipocytes. Adipocyte-specific SPTLC2-deficient (aSPTLC2 KO) mice had markedly reduced adipose tissue mass. Fatty acids that were destined for the adipose tissue were instead shunted to liver and caused hepatosteatosis. This impaired fat distribution caused systemic insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, indicating severe lipodystrophy. Mechanistically, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) was reduced in the adipose tissues of aSPTLC2 KO mice, and this inhibited adipocyte proliferation and differentiation via the downregulation of S1P receptor 1 and decreased activity of the peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor γ. In addition, downregulation of SREBP (sterol regulatory element-binding protein)-1c prevented adipogenesis of aSPTLC2 KO adipocytes. Collectively, our observations suggest that the tight regulation of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis and S1P signaling plays an important role in adipogenesis and hepatosteatosis.

Immunomodulatory Efficacy of Standardized Annona muricata (Graviola) Leaf Extract via Activation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways in RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

Annona muricata, commonly known as Graviola, has been utilized as a traditional medicine to treat various human diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the immune-enhancing activity of Graviola leaf extracts in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Active ingredients in Graviola leaf extracts (GE) were identified as kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside by LC-MS/MS. When treated with steam or 50% ethanol GE, cell morphology was altered due to initiation of cell differentiation. While the cell viability was not altered by the steam GE, it was reduced by the ethanol GE. Both steam and ethanol GE induced the transcriptional expression of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß, but only the steam extract upregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In consistence with mRNA expression, the production of TNF-α and nitrite was elevated by both steam and ethanol extracts of Graviola leaves. This is mainly due to activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. These results suggest that Graviola leaves enhance immunity by activation of the MAP kinase pathways. These bioactive properties of Graviola indicate its potential as a health-promoting ingredient to boost the immune system.

Different gene expression profiles between microsatellite instability-high and microsatellite stable colorectal carcinomas.

Recent molecular genetic studies have revealed that two major types of genomic instabilities, chromosomal instability (CIN) and microsatellite instability (MSI), exist in colorectal carcinomas. In order to clarify the molecular signature related to the CIN and MSI in colorectal carcinomas, we performed transcriptomic expression analysis on eight microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal carcinomas and compared the results obtained with that of nine microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal carcinomas using oligonucleotide microarrays containing 17 334 known genes and 1331 unknown genes or expression sequence tags (ESTs). Unsupervised two-way hierarchical clustering with 5724 genes successfully classified tumors from normal mucosa, and displayed a distinctive MSI-H carcinomas subgroup. Based on intensive filtering, 57 known genes and eight ESTs were found to be highly relevant to the differentiation of MSI-H and MSS colorectal carcinomas. These genes successfully distinguish the new test set of six MSI-H and five MSS colorectal carcinomas. Many up- and downregulated genes in MSI-H colorectal carcinomas were related to the previously reported phenotypic characteristics; increased mucin production and intense peritumoral immune response in MSI-H carcinomas. Some of these differences were confirmed by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis. Our findings indicate that there are many different genetic and transcriptomic characteristics between MSI-H and MSS colorectal carcinomas, and some of these differently expressed genes can be used as diagnostic or prognostic markers.

Increased expression of histone deacetylase 2 is found in human gastric cancer.

Accumulated evidence has established that aberrant regulation of histone deacetylases (HDACs) is one of the major causes of the development of human malignancies. Among different iso-enzymes of HDAC and sirtuins grouped as the HDAC super family, little is known as to how histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) causes carcinogenesis in solid tumors. Here, in order to investigate the possible role of HDAC2 in gastric carcinogenesis, we analyzed the expression of HDAC2 in 71 gastric adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemistry. Moderate to strong expression of HDAC2 was found in 44 (62%) out of a total of 71 tumors. The majority of positive tumors, which were detected in the nucleus but not in normal gastric epithelium, did not express HDAC2 or showed only weak positive staining. Interestingly, we also noted that HDAC2 expression appeared to be associated with tumor aggressiveness as HDAC2 expression was observed to be statistically significant in advanced gastric cancer (P=0.0023, Chi-square test) and in positive lymph node metastasis (P=0.0713, Chi-square test). Taken together, these results suggest that HDAC2 may play an important role in the aggressiveness of gastric cancer.

Genetic and epigenetic alterations of the KLF6 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) is a zinc finger tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in several human cancers and is broadly involved in differentiation and development, growth-related signal transduction, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential etiological role of KLF6 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Korea. METHODS: The gene mutation, allelic loss, and methylation status of the KLF6 gene was analyzed in a series of 85 Korean patients: 21 with dysplastic nodules and 85 with HCC. RESULTS: No somatic mutations were observed in the patients with dysplastic nodules or with HCC. Allelic loss was found in five (6.8%) of 73 informative HCC tissues. Three of the five patients with allelic loss had HCC with hepatitis B virus infection and cirrhosis, and the remaining two had no viral infection and a non-specific background. In methylation analysis, unmethylated and methylated DNAs of the KLF6 gene were amplified in all corresponding non-neoplastic liver tissues. Only one HCC tissue showed methylated DNA without unmethylated DNA. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that genetic and epigenetic alteration of KLF6 may play a minor role in the development of HCC.

Identification of large-scale molecular changes of Autotaxin(ENPP2) knock-down by small interfering RNA in breast cancer cells.

To understand comprehensive molecular mechanisms by which Autotaxin (ENPP2) mediates, we identified large-scale molecular changes responsible for aberrant expression of Autotaxin (ATX) on breast cancer cells by using DNA microarrays. Transcriptional over-expression of ENPP2 gene was endogenously silenced by using RNA interference technique, and then recapitulated corresponding molecular changes in MDA435 breast cancer cells. Application of nonparametric Wilcoxon statistical analyses (P<0.05) and the selection criteria of 2-fold differential gene expression change resulted in the identification of 368 genes including 133 up-regulated and 235 genes under-expressed in ENPP2-silencing MDA435 cells. Most of the functional categories of identified genes are associated with cellular metabolism, cytoskeleton organization, transcription regulation, signal transduction as well as cellular organization and biogenesis. Our data suggest that the molecular signature identified by the ENPP2-silencing methods may represent potential candidates that can explain the complicated characteristics of ATX and may serve as biomarkers, for the development of molecular-targeting therapy, in human breast cancer.

Autotaxin (lysoPLD/NPP2) protects fibroblasts from apoptosis through its enzymatic product, lysophosphatidic acid, utilizing albumin-bound substrate.

Autotaxin (ATX) was originally identified as a potent tumor cell motility-stimulating factor that displays multiple enzymatic activities including ATPase, Type I nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase, and lysophospholipase D, depending on its substrates. We demonstrate herein that ATX is a key regulator of extracellular lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) that can act as survival factor, in addition to its mitogenic activity in mouse fibroblasts. Introduction of atx gene into NIH3T3 cells resulted in resistance to conditional apoptosis induced by serum-deprivation, and exogenous ATX protein prevented cells from death by starvation. Flow cytometric analysis showed that co-treatment of ATX with lysophosphatidylcholine as substrate rescued NIH3T3 cells from cellular apoptosis, and this survival activity of ATX was also demonstrated by caspase-3 degradation and PARP cleavage resulting from the enzymatic activity of extracellular ATX. Furthermore, the effect of ATX in preventing apoptosis appears to be mediated through the G-protein-coupled receptor pathway followed by the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and Akt pathway leading to enhanced cell survival. These findings provide novel insights into understanding the functions of ATX as a key regulator of bioactive phospholipids and suggest interventions to correct dysfunction in conditions of tumor cell growth and metastasis.

Application of amplified RNA and evaluation of cRNA targets for spotted-oligonucleotide microarray.

Among different RNA amplification methods, T7 RNA polymerase-based in vitro transcription (IVT) that generates antisense RNA is most common in DNA microarray protocol. However, despite the fact that cRNA targets labeled during IVT are feasible for spotted-oligonucleotide microarray (spotted-oligoarray) hybridization due to complementary sequence of single-stranded oligonucleotide probe, no systemic assessment for the use of amplified cRNA targets has been reported for spotted-oligoarrays. In this investigation, we have compared the hybridization performance of amplified cRNA targets with that of cDNA targets from total RNA(T-RNA) using spotted-oligoarrays containing 18,864 genetic elements. Under the optimized hybridization conditions, we found that 86% of oligonucleotide probes were reproducibly detected by both cDNA and cRNA target protocols. In addition, cRNA targets generated by two-rounds of amplification of 10 ng T-RNA were concordant with first-round cRNA targets generated from 100 ng T-RNA by 0.858 of correlation coefficient. Taken together, we demonstrated that cRNA targets from very scant RNA amount could successfully be applied on spotted-oligoarrays, and hopefully this will facilitate the application of much smaller amount of source material based on the high-fidelity and improved target preparation of microarrays.