Biology subjects

Hla, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Hla, T..

11 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

S1PR1 signaling biases neutrophils toward long-lived low-inflammatory functional states

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a lipid mediator that signals through five G protein-coupled S1P receptors (S1PRs), regulates T cell trafficking, tissue residency, and inflammatory processes. In contrast to the established roles of S1P signaling in T cell trafficking, its role in neutrophil biology remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that S1PR1, one of the two S1PRs expressed in neutrophils, promotes mitochondrial fitness, enhances survival, and reduces inflammatory output. Using myeloid- and neutrophil-selective S1PR1 overexpression (S1PR1hi) mouse models, we show that elevated S1PR1 signaling promotes redistribution of neutrophils from the bone marrow to peripheral tissues under steady-state conditions, without inducing overt inflammation or tissue injury. S1PR1hi neutrophils display altered surface marker profiles consistent with a less mature state. These cells also exhibit reduced in vivo turnover, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative phosphorylation, and transcriptional programs linked to survival and dampened inflammatory signaling. Functionally, S1PR1hi neutrophils exhibit a reduced oxidative burst while preserving phagocytic capacity. However, in vivo bacterial challenge revealed impaired bacterial clearance in the lung. In contrast, in a model of influenza A virus infection of the lung, enhanced neutrophil-intrinsic S1PR1 signaling conferred reduced lung injury, decreased inflammatory output, and improved survival. Together, these findings support a model in which S1PR1 reprograms neutrophils, enabling their survival and dampening inflammatory potential in a context-dependent manner, thereby differentially shaping host defense and tissue protection during microbial infections.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

Sphingosine kinase 1 is integral for elastin deficiency-induced arterial hypermuscularization

Defective elastin and smooth muscle cell (SMC) accumulation characterize both arterial diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis, restenosis and supravalvular aortic stenosis [SVAS]), and physiological ductus arteriosus (DA) closure. Elastin deficiency induces SMC hyperproliferation; however, mechanisms underlying this effect are not well elucidated. Elastin (ELN) is expressed from embryonic day (E) 14 in the mouse aorta. Immunostains of Eln(+/+) and Eln(-/-) aortas indicate that SMCs of the Eln null aorta are first hyperproliferative at E15.5, prior to morphological differences. Bulk RNA-seq reveals that sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1) is the most upregulated transcript in Eln(-/-) aortic SMCs at E15.5. Reduced ELN increases levels of transcription factor early growth response 1 (EGR1), resulting in increased SPHK1 levels in cultured human aortic SMCs and in the mouse aorta at E15.5 and P0.5. Aortic tissue from Williams-Beuren Syndrome patients, who have elastin insufficiency and SVAS, also has upregulated SPHK1 expression. SMC-specific Sphk1 deletion or pharmacological inhibition of SPHK1 attenuates SMC proliferation and mitigates aortic disease, leading to extended survival of Eln(-/-) mice. In addition, EGR1 and SPHK1 are increased in the wild-type mouse DA compared to adjacent descending aorta. Treatment with a SPHK1 inhibitor attenuates SMC proliferation and reduces SMC accumulation, leading to DA patency. In sum, SPHK1 is a key node in elastin deficiency-induced hypermuscularization, and inhibiting this kinase may be a therapeutic strategy for SVAS and select congenital heart diseases in which a patent DA maintains circulation. One Sentence SummarySphingosine kinase 1-induced by defective elastin promotes muscularization in pathological aortic stenosis and physiological ductus arteriosus occlusion.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Therapeutic activation of endothelial sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 by chaperone-bound S1P suppresses proliferative retinal vasculopathy

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive lipid mediator that signals via G protein-coupled S1P receptors (S1PR), is required for normal vascular development. The role of this signaling axis in vascular retinopathies is largely unexplored. Here we show in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) that endothelial overexpression of S1pr1 suppresses while endothelial knockout (KO) of S1pr1 worsens neovascular tuft formation. Furthermore, neovascular tufts are increased in Apom KO mice which lack HDL-bound S1P while they are suppressed in Apom TG mice which has more circulating HDL-S1P. These results suggest that circulating HDL-S1P activation of endothelial S1PR1 specifically suppresses proliferative retinal vasculopathy. Moreover, systemic administration of ApoM-Fc-bound S1P or a small molecule Gi-biased S1PR1 agonist suppressed neovascular tuft formation. Circulating HDL-S1P activation of endothelial S1PR1 may be a key protective mechanism to guard against neovascular retinopathies that occur not only in premature infants but also in diabetes and aging.

pathology↗

bioRxiv2022

Endothelial-derived sphingolipids are required for vascular development and systemic lipid homeostasis

Serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT), the rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo synthesis of sphingolipids (SL), is needed for embryonic development, physiological homeostasis, and response to stress. The functions of de novo SL synthesis in vascular endothelial cells (EC), which line the entire circulatory system, are not well understood. Here we show that the EC de novo synthesis not only impacts vascular development but also maintains normal SL metabolic homeostasis in the circulatory system and peripheral organs. Mice with an endothelial-specific gene knockout of SPTLC1 (Sptlc1 ECKO), an essential subunit of the SPT complex, exhibited EC-intrinsic effects including reduced EC proliferation and tip/stalk cell differentiation, resulting in delayed retinal vascular development. In addition, Sptlc1 ECKO mice had reduced pathological retinal neovascularization in the oxygen-induced retinopathy model, suggesting that EC SL produced from the de novo pathway are needed for efficient VEGF signaling within the vascular system. Post-natal deletion of the EC Sptlc1also showed cell-extrinsic effects, including rapid reduction of several SL metabolites in plasma, red blood cells and peripheral organs (lung and liver) but not in the retina, part of the central nervous system (CNS). In the liver, EC de novo SL synthesis was required for acetaminophen-induced ceramide elevation and hepatotoxicity. These results suggest that EC-derived SL metabolites are in constant flux between the vasculature, circulatory elements, and parenchymal cells of non-CNS organs. Taken together, our data point to the central role of the endothelial SL biosynthesis in maintaining vascular development and neovascular proliferation, non-CNS tissue metabolic homeostasis and hepatocyte response to stress.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2022

Engineered high-density lipoprotein particles that chaperone bioactive lipid mediators to combat endothelial dysfunction and thromboinflammation

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles suppress inflammation-induced tissue injury via vascular and myeloid cell-dependent mechanisms. As such, HDL-associated bioactive lipids such as sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and prostacyclin (PGI2) signal via their respective G protein-coupled receptors on target cells to promote vascular endothelial function and suppress platelet and myeloid-dependent pathophysiology. Here we have constructed a fusion protein of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein M (ApoM) (A1M) that forms HDL-like particles and chaperones S1P and Iloprost, stable PGI2 analog. The A1M/S1P complex activates S1P receptor-1 (S1PR1) as a Gi-biased agonist and attenuates the inflammation-induced NF{kappa}B pathway while A1M/Iloprost acts via IP receptor to inhibit platelet aggregation and promote endothelial barrier function. In addition to enhancing the endothelial barrier, A1M/S1P suppresses neutrophil influx, oxidative burst and inflammatory mediator secretion in a sterile inflammation model. We propose that A1M could be useful as a therapeutic to induce S1P and PGI2-dependent anti-inflammatory functions and suppress collateral tissue injury.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2020

S1PR1 regulates the quiescence of lymphatic vessels by inhibiting laminar shear stress-dependent VEGF-C signaling

During the growth of lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis), lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) at the growing front sprout by forming filopodia. Those tip cells are not exposed to circulating lymph, as they are not lumenized. In contrast, LECs that trail the growing front are exposed to shear stress, become quiescent and remodel into stable vessels. The mechanisms that coordinate the opposed activities of lymphatic sprouting and maturation remain poorly understood. Here we show that the canonical tip cell marker Delta-Like 4 (DLL4) promotes sprouting lymphangiogenesis by enhancing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGF-C) /VEGF Receptor 3 (VEGFR3) signaling. However, in lumenized lymphatic vessels laminar shear stress (LSS) inhibits the expression of DLL4, as well as additional tip cell markers. Paradoxically, LSS also upregulates VEGF-C/VEGFR3 signaling in LECs, but sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor 1 (S1PR1) activity antagonizes LSS-mediated VEGF-C signaling to promote lymphatic vascular quiescence. Correspondingly, S1pr1 loss in LECs induced lymphatic vascular hypersprouting and hyperbranching, which could be rescued by reducing Vegfr3 gene dosage in vivo. In addition, S1PR1 regulates lymphatic vessel maturation by promoting membrane localization of the tight junction molecule Claudin-5. Our findings suggest a new paradigm in which LSS induces quiescence and promotes the survival of LECs by downregulating DLL4 and enhancing VEGF-C signaling, respectively. S1PR1 dampens LSS/VEGF-C signaling, thereby preventing sprouting from quiescent lymphatic vessels. These results also highlight the distinct roles that S1PR1 and DLL4 play in LECs when compared to their known roles in the blood vasculature.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Sphingosine 1-phosphate-regulated transcriptomes in heterogenous arterial and lymphatic endothelium of the aorta

Despite the medical importance of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), in vivo cellular heterogeneity of GPCR signaling and downstream transcriptional responses are not understood. We report the comprehensive characterization of transcriptomes (bulk and single-cell) and chromatin domains regulated by sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1PR1) in adult mouse aortic endothelial cells. First, S1PR1 regulates NFkB and nuclear glucocorticoid receptor pathways to suppress inflammation-related mRNAs. Second, spatially distinct S1PR1 signaling in the aorta is associated with heterogenous endothelial cell (EC) subtypes. For example, a transcriptomically distinct arterial EC population at vascular branch points (aEC1) exhibits ligand- independent S1PR1/{beta}-arrestin coupling. In contrast, circulatory S1P-dependent S1PR1/{beta}-arrestin coupling was observed in non-branch point aEC2 cells that exhibit an inflammatory signature. Moreover, an adventitial lymphatic EC (LEC) population shows suppression of lymphangiogenic and inflammation-related transcripts in a S1P/S1PR1-dependent manner. These insights add resolution to existing concepts of GPCR signaling and S1P biology.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2019

TLR4-dependent signaling drives extracellular catabolism of low-density lipoprotein aggregates

ObjectiveAggregation and modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) promotes their retention and accumulation in the arteries. This is a critical initiating factor during atherosclerosis. Macrophage catabolism of aggregated LDL (agLDL) occurs using a specialized extracellular, hydrolytic compartment, the lysosomal synapse (LS). Compartment formation by local actin polymerization and delivery of lysosomal contents by exocytosis promotes acidification of the compartment and degradation of agLDL. Internalization of metabolites such as cholesterol promotes foam cell formation, a process that drives atherogenesis. Further, there is accumulating evidence for the involvement of TLR4 and its adaptor protein MyD88 in atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated the role of TLR4 in catabolism of agLDL using the LS and foam cell formation.\n\nApproach and ResultsUsing bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) from knockout mice, we find that TLR4 and MyD88 regulate compartment formation, lysosome exocytosis, acidification of the compartment and foam cell formation. Using siRNA, pharmacological inhibition and knockout BMMs, we implicate SYK, PI3 kinase and Akt in agLDL catabolism using the LS. Using bone marrow transplantation of LDL receptor knockout mice with TLR4KO bone marrow, we show that deficiency of TLR4 protects macrophages from lipid accumulation during atherosclerosis. Finally, we demonstrate that macrophages in vivo form an extracellular compartment and exocytose lysosome contents similar to that observed in vitro for degradation of agLDL.\n\nConclusionsWe present a mechanism in which interaction of macrophages with agLDL initiates a TLR4 signaling pathway, resulting in formation of the LS, catabolism of agLDL and lipid accumulation in vitro and in vivo.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Endothelial sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors promote vascular normalization to influence tumor growth and metastasis

Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1PR1) is essential for embryonic vascular development and maturation. In the adult, it is a key regulator of vascular barrier function and inflammatory processes. Its roles in tumor angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis are not well understood. In this report, we show that S1PR1 is expressed and active in tumor vessels. Tumor vessels that lack S1PR1 (S1pr1 ECKO) show excessive vascular sprouting and branching, decreased barrier function, and poor perfusion accompanied by loose attachment of pericytes. Compound knockout of S1pr1, 2 and 3 genes further exacerbated these phenotypes, suggesting compensatory function of endothelial S1PR2 and 3 in the absence of S1PR1. On the other hand, tumor vessels with high expression of S1PR1 (S1pr1 ECTG) show less branching, tortuosity and enhanced pericyte coverage. Larger tumors and enhanced lung metastasis were seen in S1pr1 ECKO whereas S1pr1 ECTG showed smaller tumors and reduced metastasis. Furthermore, anti-tumor activity of doxorubicin was more effective in S1pr1 ECTG than the wild-type counterparts. These data suggest that tumor endothelial S1PR1 induces vascular normalization and influences tumor growth, evolution and spread. Strategies to enhance S1PR1 signaling in tumor vessels may be an important adjunct to standard cancer therapy.\n\nSignificanceEndothelial sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors modulate tumor angiogenesis by inducing vascular normalization, which allows better blood circulation and enhanced anti-tumor therapeutic efficacy.

cancer biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Post-transcriptional regulation of Nrf2-mRNA by the mRNA-binding proteins HuR and AUF1

The Nrf2-driven antioxidant response (AR) is a target of covalent drugs and bioactive native electrophiles. However, much of our understanding of AR has centered on protein-level regulation of Nrf2. Here we report a post-transcriptional modality to directly regulate Nrf2-mRNA. Our initial studies focused on the effects of the key mRNA-binding protein (mRBP) HuR on global transcriptomic changes incurred upon oxidant or electrophile stimulation. These data led us to discover a novel role of HuR in regulating Nrf2/AR, and in the process we further identified the related mRBP AUF1 as an additional novel Nrf2/AR regulator. Both mRBPs regulate AR by direct interaction with the Nrf2 transcript. Our data showed that HuR enhances Nrf2-mRNA maturation and promotes its nuclear export; whereas AUF1 stabilizes Nrf2-mRNA. Both mRBPs target the 3'-UTR of Nrf2-mRNA. Using an AR-reporter zebrafish strain, we document that this post-transcriptional control of AR is conserved at the whole-vertebrate level.

biochemistry↗

bioRxiv2018

Heterotypic inter-GPCR β-arrestin coupling regulates lymphatic endothelial junctional architecture in murine lymph nodes

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) activate G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to regulate key pathobiological processes. Here we report a novel lipid mediator GPCR cross-talk mechanism that modulates lymphatic endothelial junctional architecture in lymph nodes. LPAR1 was identified as an inducer of S1PR1/ {beta}-arrestin coupling from a genome-wide CRISPR/ Cas9 transcriptional activation screen. LPAR1 activation induced S1PR1 {beta}-arrestin recruitment while suppressing Gi protein signaling. Lymphatic endothelial cells from cortical and medullary sinuses of lymph nodes which express LPAR1 and S1PR1, exhibit porous junctional architecture and constitutive S1PR1 coupling to {beta}-arrestin which was suppressed by the LPAR1 antagonist AM095. In endothelial cells, LPAR1-activation increased trans-endothelial permeability and junctional remodeling from zipper-like structures to puncta of adhesion plaques that terminate at actin-rich stress fibers with abundant intercellular gaps. Cross-talk between LPA and S1P receptors regulates complex junctional architecture of lymphatic sinus endothelial cells, a site of high lymphocyte traffic and lymph flow.

cell biology↗