scholarly journals Sphingosine 1- Phosphate Lyase Insufficiency Syndrome (SPLIS); A Role in Multiple Endocrinopathies

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A662-A662
Author(s):  
Ruth Ming Wai Kwong ◽  
Avinaash Vickram Maharaj ◽  
Louise Metherell ◽  
Rathi Prasad

Abstract Sphingosine 1-phosphate lyase insufficiency syndrome (SPLIS) was described in 2017 as a novel condition affecting sphingolipid metabolism. There is a multisystemic phenotype including nephrotic syndrome and primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) and to a lesser extent ichthyosis, neurological disease and lymphopenia. A proportion of patients also presented with hypothyroidism and hypogonadism. To interrogate the endocrine aspect of the syndrome we reviewed clinical data within our patient cohort with SPLIS and those within the wider literature. To date there have been 45 patients identified with SPLIS with significant associated mortality (n=23/45, 51%; 4 of these in utero). There is no clear genotype-phenotype correlation. Whilst nephrotic syndrome is most prevalent (n=34/45; 76%), a significant proportion of patients (n=27/45, 60%) also presented with glucocorticoid deficiency, some with additional mineralocorticoid deficiency (n=7/27). Five further patients were noted to have adrenal calcifications though biochemistry was not undertaken. Most patients presented with PAI in the first 2 years of life (n=21/27), with the oldest presentation being 11 years of age. Adrenal calcifications are a common finding in those who had documented imaging (n=13/15, 87%). Primary gonadal failure has been reported in 8 male cases, all with concomitant PAI. Presenting features included microphallus (n=7/8) and cryptorchidism (n=8/8), indicating reduced in utero androgen exposure. All who had biochemical evaluation demonstrated raised basal LH and FSH/ exaggerated response to LHRH stimulation, a lack of testosterone response to HCG stimulation and low antimullerian hormone (AMH) levels. To date there are no reports of pubertal delay in female patients, and those of age within our cohort have normal ovarian reserve as evidenced by AMH levels (n=2). Primary hypothyroidism, with mildly raised TSH and low Free T4 is reported in 12 patients. Most did not have goiters and had concomitant PAI and nephrotic syndrome (n=11/12). SPLIS is unique amongst sphingolipid disorders in presenting with significant endocrinopathy. This may be the consequence of the particular sphingolipid signature of the disease and the pathogenic mechanisms need to be explored further. It is clear that endocrine dysfunction needs to be considered at diagnosis and surveillance undertaken to detect evolving disease which could have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality.

2018 ◽  
Vol 104 (5) ◽  
pp. 1484-1490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Settas ◽  
Rebecca Persky ◽  
Fabio R Faucz ◽  
Nicole Sheanon ◽  
Antonis Voutetakis ◽  
...  

Abstract Context Multiple autosomal recessive genes have been etiologically linked to primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI). Recently, sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1 (SGPL1) gene mutations were recognized as a cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome type 14 (NPHS14), a sphingolipidosis with multisystemic manifestations, including PAI. Objective To check if SGPL1 mutations are involved in the pathogenesis of PAI in patients who do not exhibit nephrotic syndrome. Methods Sequencing of the SGPL1 gene in 21 patients with familial glucocorticoid disease or triple A syndrome. Results We identified two missense SGPL1 variants in four patients, two of whom were first cousins. We describe in detail the proband, a boy born to Saudi Arabian consanguineous parents with a homozygous c.665G>A, p.R222Q SGPL1 variant. The patient presented with hypoglycemia and seizures at age 2 years and was ultimately diagnosed with PAI (isolated glucocorticoid deficiency). Brain MRI showed abnormalities in the basal ganglia consistent with a degenerative process albeit the patient had no neurologic symptoms. Conclusions New genetic causes of PAI continue to be identified. We suggest that screening for SGPL1 mutations should not be reserved only for patients with nephrotic syndrome but may also include patients with PAI who lack other clinical manifestations of NPHS14 because, in certain cases, kidney disease and accompanying features might develop. Timely diagnosis of this specific sphingolipidosis while the kidneys still function normally can lead to prompt initiation of therapy and improve outcome.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 1763-1769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica A. Taylor ◽  
Hillarey K. Stone ◽  
Meredith P. Schuh ◽  
Xueheng Zhao ◽  
Kenneth D. Setchell ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (3) ◽  
pp. 942-953 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rathi Prasad ◽  
Irene Hadjidemetriou ◽  
Avinaash Maharaj ◽  
Eirini Meimaridou ◽  
Federica Buonocore ◽  
...  

Biomolecules ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Victor Blokhin ◽  
Maria Shupik ◽  
Ulyana Gutner ◽  
Ekaterina Pavlova ◽  
Albert T. Lebedev ◽  
...  

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease incurable due to late diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, one of the priorities of neurology is to study the mechanisms of PD pathogenesis at the preclinical and early clinical stages. Given the important role of sphingolipids in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, we aimed to analyze the gene expression of key sphingolipid metabolism enzymes (ASAH1, ASAH2, CERS1, CERS3, CERS5, GBA1, SMPD1, SMPD2, UGCG) and the content of 32 sphingolipids (subspecies of ceramides, sphingomyelins, monohexosylceramides and sphinganine, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate) in the nigrostriatal system in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse models of the preclinical and clinical stages of PD. It has been shown that in PD models, the expression of five of the nine studied genes (CERS1, CERS5, ASAH1, ASAH2, and GBA1) increases but only in the substantia nigra (SN) containing dopaminergic cell bodies. Changes in the expression of enzyme genes were accompanied by an increase in the content of 7 of the 32 studied sphingolipids. Such findings suggest these genes as attractive candidates for diagnostic purposes for preclinical and clinical stages of PD.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Al-Kawaaz ◽  
Teresa Sanchez ◽  
Michael J Kluk

AbstractAggressive, mature B-cell lymphomas represent a heterogeneous group of diseases including Burkitt Lymphoma (BL), High Grade B Cell Lymphomas (HGBL) (eg, Double-Hit B cell lymphomas (HGBL-DH: HGBL with MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 translocations)), HGBL, Not Otherwise Specified (HGBL, NOS) and Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. The overlapping morphologic and immunohistochemical features of these lymphomas may pose diagnostic challenges in some cases, and a better understanding of potential diagnostic biomarkers and possible therapeutic targets is needed. Sphingosine 1 Phosphate Receptors (S1PR1-5) represent a family of G-protein coupled receptors that bind the sphingolipid (S1P) and influence migration and survival pathways in a variety of cell types, including lymphocytes. S1PRs are emerging as biomarkers in B cell biology and interaction between S1PR pathways and STAT3 or FOXP1 has been reported, especially in DLBCL. Our aim was to extend the understanding of the S1PR1, STAT3 and S1PR2, FOXP1 expression beyond DLBCL, into additional aggressive, mature B cell lymphomas such as BL, HGBL-DH and HGBL,NOS.Herein, we report that S1PR1 and S1PR2 showed different patterns of expression in mantle zones and follicle centers in reactive lymphoid tissue and, among the lymphomas in this study, Burkitt lymphomas showed a unique pattern of expression compared to HGBL and DLBCL. Additionally, we found that S1PR1 and S1PR2 expression was typically mutually exclusive and were expressed in a low proportion of cases (predominantly HGBL involving extranodal sites). Lastly, FOXP1 was expressed in a high proportion of the various case types and pSTAT3 was detected in a significant proportion of HGBL and DLBCL cases. Taken together, these findings provide further evidence that S1PR1, pSTAT3, S1PR2 and FOXP1 play a role in a subset of aggressive mature B cell lymphomas.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastien Granier ◽  
Robert D Healey ◽  
Essa Saied ◽  
Xiaojing Cong ◽  
Gergely Karsai ◽  
...  

Sphingolipid metabolism is tightly controlled by enzymes to regulate essential processes such as energy utilisation and cell proliferation. The central metabolite is ceramide, a pro-apoptotic lipid catabolized by ceramidase enzymes to ultimately produce pro-proliferative sphingosine-1-phosphate. Human ceramidases can be soluble proteins (acid and neutral ceramidase) or integral membrane proteins (alkaline ceramidases). Increasing ceramide levels to increase apoptosis has shown efficacy as a cancer treatment using small molecules inhibiting a soluble ceramidase. Due to the transmembrane nature of alkaline ceramidases, no specific small molecule inhibitors have been reported. Here, we report novel fluorescent substrates (FRETceramides) of ceramidases that can be used to monitor enzyme activity in real-time. We use FRETceramides to discover the first drug-like inhibitors of alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3) which are active in cell-based assays. Biophysical characterization of enzyme:inhibitor interactions reveal a new paradigm for inhibition of lipid metabolising enzymes with non-lipidic small molecules.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A110-A111
Author(s):  
Michael Salim ◽  
Wafa Dawahir ◽  
Janice L Gilden ◽  
Andriy Havrylyan

Abstract Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are novel immunotherapy agents that have been used to treat multiple advanced cancer. Even though they confer potential clinical advantages by regulating immune reactions, they have been linked with serious immune-mediated adverse events. Here we present a case of a patient who was treated with ICIs, Nivolumab (programmed death-1 inhibitor) and Ipilimumab (cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibitor), and subsequently developed two concurrent immune-related endocrine disorders. Clinical Case: An 83-year-old man with advanced renal cell carcinoma presented with generalized weakness. He had finished four cycles of immunotherapy with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab, and Ipilimumab was discontinued afterward. Two days after the fifth cycle of immunotherapy with Nivolumab, he developed worsening fatigue, nausea, and anorexia. He appeared mildly volume depleted with borderline hypotensive (104/63 mmHg). The rest of the physical exam was unremarkable. Initial tests showed elevated levels of TSH (13.15 uIU/mL, ref 0.45–5.33 uIU/L), reduced levels of free T4 (<0.25 ng/dL, ref 0.58–1.64 ng/dL), free T3 (1.72 pg/mL, ref 2.5–3.9 pg/mL), negative thyroglobulin antibody, and elevated levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody (429 IU/mL, ref <9 IU/mL), thus suggesting primary hypothyroidism. Serum levels of sodium and potassium were unremarkable (136 meQ/L, ref 136–145 mEq/L; 3.6 meQ/L, ref 3.5–5.1 meQ/L respectively). His baseline TSH was normal three months prior to arrival (1.31 uIU/mL) and suppressed one month prior to arrival (0.01 uIU/mL). Immune-related thyroiditis with immune checkpoint inhibitors was suspected. He was given levothyroxine and observed in the hospital. After two days of hospitalization, weakness had slightly improved. However, he still had persistent nausea. He also developed low blood pressure (90/47 mmHg) and mild hyponatremia (133 mEq/L) with a normal potassium level. Further investigation showed low cortisol (1.0 ug/dL, ref 5.0–21.0), low ACTH (13 pg/mL, ref 6–50 pg/mL), cortisol level at 30 and 60 minutes post-cosyntropin stimulation test of 10.8 ug/dL (ref 13.0–30.0 ug/dL) and 14.8 ug/dL (ref 14.0–36.0 ug/dL) respectively, and negative adrenal antibodies, suggesting of secondary adrenal insufficiency due to hypophysitis. The patient was started on hydrocortisone, and his symptoms improved afterward. Conclusion: This case report highlights the common pitfall of managing immune-related endocrine disorders of ICIs. Adrenal insufficiency may present with a broad range of nonspecific symptoms, which could be attributed to hypothyroidism, underlying illness, or medications. Although a rare adverse effect, it is prudent to recognize adrenal insufficiency superimposed on primary hypothyroidism. Introducing thyroxine before replacing glucocorticoids can lead to an adrenal crisis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 399 (10) ◽  
pp. 1157-1168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Fink ◽  
Jürgen Seibel

AbstractSphingolipids and glycosphingolipids can regulate cell recognition and signalling. Ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate are major players in the sphingolipid pathways and are involved in the initiation and regulation of signalling, apoptosis, stress responses and infection. Specific chemically synthesised sphingolipid derivatives containing small functionalities like azide or alkyne can mimic the biological properties of natural lipid species, which turns them into useful tools for the investigation of the highly complex sphingolipid metabolism by rapid and selective ‘click chemistry’ using sensitive tags like fluorophores. Subsequent analysis by various fluorescence microscopy techniques or mass spectrometry allows the identification and quantification of the corresponding sphingolipid metabolites as well as the research of associated enzymes. Here we present an overview of recent advances in the synthesis of ceramide and sphingosine analogues for bioorthogonal click reactions to study biosynthetic pathways and localization of sphingolipids for the development of novel therapeutics against lipid-dependent diseases.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 4008
Author(s):  
Valentina Vozella ◽  
Natalia Realini ◽  
Alessandra Misto ◽  
Daniele Piomelli

Previous studies have shown that the sphingolipid-derived mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) reduces food intake by activating G protein-coupled S1P receptor-1 (S1PR1) in the hypothalamus. Here, we examined whether feeding regulates hypothalamic mobilization of S1P and other sphingolipid-derived messengers. We prepared lipid extracts from the hypothalamus of C57Bl6/J male mice subjected to one of four conditions: free feeding, 12 h fasting, and 1 h or 6 h refeeding. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry was used to quantify various sphingolipid species, including sphinganine (SA), sphingosine (SO), and their bioactive derivatives SA-1-phosphate (SA1P) and S1P. In parallel experiments, transcription of S1PR1 (encoded in mice by the S1pr1 gene) and of key genes of sphingolipid metabolism (Sptlc2, Lass1, Sphk1, Sphk2) was measured by RT-PCR. Feeding increased levels of S1P (in pmol-mg−1 of wet tissue) and SA1P. This response was accompanied by parallel changes in SA and dihydroceramide (d18:0/18:0), and was partially (SA1P) or completely (S1P) reversed by fasting. No such effects were observed with other sphingolipid species targeted by our analysis. Feeding also increased transcription of Sptlc2, Lass1, Sphk2, and S1pr1. Feeding stimulates mobilization of endogenous S1PR1 agonists S1P and SA1P in mouse hypothalamus, via a mechanism that involves transcriptional up-regulation of de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis. The results support a role for sphingolipid-mediated signaling in the central control of energy balance.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyrone Dowdy ◽  
Lumin Zhang ◽  
Orieta Celiku ◽  
Sriya Movva ◽  
Adrian Lita ◽  
...  

In addition to providing integrity to cellular structure, the various classes of lipids participate in a multitude of functions including secondary messengers, receptor stimulation, lymphocyte trafficking, inflammation, angiogenesis, cell migration, proliferation, necrosis and apoptosis, thus highlighting the importance of understanding their role in the tumor phenotype. In the context of IDH1mut glioma, investigations focused on metabolic alterations involving lipidomics’ present potential to uncover novel vulnerabilities. Herein, a detailed lipidomic analysis of the sphingolipid metabolism was conducted in patient-derived IDH1mut glioma cell lines, as well as model systems, with the of identifying points of metabolic vulnerability. We probed the effect of decreasing D-2HG levels on the sphingolipid pathway, by treating these cell lines with an IDH1mut inhibitor, AGI5198. The results revealed that N,N-dimethylsphingosine (NDMS), sphingosine C17 and sphinganine C18 were significantly downregulated, while sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) was significantly upregulated in glioma cultures following suppression of IDH1mut activity. We exploited the pathway using a small-scale, rational drug screen and identified a combination that was lethal to IDHmut cells. Our work revealed that further addition of N,N-dimethylsphingosine in combination with sphingosine C17 triggered a dose-dependent biostatic and apoptotic response in a panel of IDH1mut glioma cell lines specifically, while it had little effect on the IDHWT cells probed here. To our knowledge, this is the first study that shows how altering the sphingolipid pathway in IDH1mut gliomas elucidates susceptibility that can arrest proliferation and initiate subsequent cellular death.


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