LIPID DROPLET SIGNALING IN METABOLIC HEALTH AND AGING

Lipid droplets (LDs) are neutral lipid rich organelles involved in lipid storage, fatty acid trafficking, and signaling. Emerging evidence from our laboratory and others suggests that the specific LD resident proteins couple/uncouple cells and tissues from inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. However, the mechanism by which LD proteins influences these critical pathways remains unknown. We will present data delving into the role of LD proteins Perilipin (PLIN) 2 and 5 in balancing cellular energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Data will be presented defining novel mechanisms through which PLIN2 orchestrates eicosanoid production as a means to promote inflammation. We will contrast these findings to PLIN5, which uncouples LD accumulation from metabolic dysfunction and inflammation, in part due to its promotion of SIRT1 signaling. Overall, these studies will highlight a crucial role of LD metabolism and signaling in regulating cellular energy homeostatic processes known to be key players in governing healthspan.

The Role(s) of Eicosanoids and Exosomes in Human Parturition

The roles that eicosanoids play during pregnancy and parturition are crucial to a successful outcome. A better understanding of the regulation of eicosanoid production and the roles played by the various end products during pregnancy and parturition has led to our view that accurate measurements of a panel of those end products has exciting potential as diagnostics and prognostics of preterm labor and delivery. Exosomes and their contents represent an exciting new area for research of movement of key biological factors circulating between tissues and organs akin to a parallel endocrine system but involving key intracellular mediators. Eicosanoids and enzymes regulating their biosynthesis and metabolism as well as regulatory microRNAs have been identified within exosomes. In this review, the regulation of eicosanoid production, abundance and actions during pregnancy will be explored. Additionally, the functional significance of placental exosomes will be discussed.

Eicosanoids in Cancer: New Roles in Immunoregulation

Eicosanoids represent a family of active biolipids derived from arachidonic acid primarily through the action of cytosolic phospholipase A2-α. Three major downstream pathways have been defined: the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway which produces prostaglandins and thromboxanes; the 5-lipoxygenase pathway (5-LO), which produces leukotrienes, lipoxins and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, and the cytochrome P450 pathway which produces epoxygenated fatty acids. In general, these lipid mediators are released and act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion through binding to cell surface receptors. The pattern of eicosanoid production is cell specific, and is determined by cell-specific expression of downstream synthases. Increased eicosanoid production is associated with inflammation and a panel of specific inhibitors have been developed designated non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In cancer, eicosanoids are produced both by tumor cells as well as cells of the tumor microenvironment. Earlier studies demonstrated that prostaglandin E2, produced through the action of COX-2, promoted cancer cell proliferation and metastasis in multiple cancers. This resulted in the development of COX-2 inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents. However, cardiac toxicities associated with these agents limited their use as therapeutic agents. The advent of immunotherapy, especially the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment in multiple malignancies. However, the majority of patients do not respond to these agents as monotherapy, leading to intense investigation of other pathways mediating immunosuppression in order to develop rational combination therapies. Recent data have indicated that PGE2 has immunosuppressive activity, leading to renewed interest in targeting this pathway. However, little is known regarding the role of other eicosanoids in modulating the tumor microenvironment, and regulating anti-tumor immunity. This article reviews the role of eicosanoids in cancer, with a focus on their role in modulating the tumor microenvironment. While the role of PGE2 will be discussed, data implicating other eicosanoids, especially products produced through the lipoxygenase and cytochrome P450 pathway will be examined. The existence of small molecular inhibitors and activators of eicosanoid pathways such as specific receptor blockers make them attractive candidates for therapeutic trials, especially in combination with novel immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Biogenic Amine Neurotransmitters Promote Eicosanoid Production And Protein Homeostasis

ABSTRACTMulticellular organisms use multiple pathways to restore protein homeostasis (proteostasis) in response to adverse physiological conditions, changing environment, and developmental aging. The nervous system can regulate proteostasis in different tissues, but it is unclear how it mobilizes proteostasis pathways to offset physiological decline. Here we show that C. elegans employs the humoral biogenic amine neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and tyramine to regulate proteostasis and the activity of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) in epithelial tissues. Mutants for biogenic amine synthesis show decreased poly-ubiquitination and turnover of a GFP-based UPS substrate. Using RNA-seq, we determined the expression profile of genes regulated by biogenic amine signaling. We find that biogenic amines promote the expression of a subset of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases involved in eicosanoid production from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Mutants for these P450s share the same UPS phenotype observed in biogenic amine mutants. The production of n-3 PUFAs is required for UPS substrate turnover, whereas mutants that accumulate n-3 PUFAs show accelerated turnover of this GFP-based substrate. Our results suggest that neurosecretory sensory neurons release biogenic amines to modulate the lipid signaling profile, which in turn activates stress response pathways to maintain proteostasis.