Vangelis Kondylis - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Vangelis Kondylis

Research paper thumbnail of Sphingomyelin synthases: double trouble in the family

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of ADAR1 averts fatal type I interferon induction by ZBP1

Nature

Mutations of the ADAR1 gene encoding an RNA deaminase cause severe diseases associated with chron... more Mutations of the ADAR1 gene encoding an RNA deaminase cause severe diseases associated with chronic activation of type I interferon (IFN) responses, including Aicardi–Goutières syndrome and bilateral striatal necrosis1–3. The IFN-inducible p150 isoform of ADAR1 contains a Zα domain that recognizes RNA with an alternative left-handed double-helix structure, termed Z-RNA4,5. Hemizygous ADAR1 mutations in the Zα domain cause type I IFN-mediated pathologies in humans2,3 and mice6–8; however, it remains unclear how the interaction of ADAR1 with Z-RNA prevents IFN activation. Here we show that Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1), the only other protein in mammals known to harbour Zα domains9, promotes type I IFN activation and fatal pathology in mice with impaired ADAR1 function. ZBP1 deficiency or mutation of its Zα domains reduced the expression of IFN-stimulated genes and largely prevented early postnatal lethality in mice with hemizygous expression of ADAR1 with mutated Zα domain (Adar1mZα...

Research paper thumbnail of Autophagy-related activation of hepatic stellate cells reduces cellular miR-29a by promoting its vesicular secretion

Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of JCB: ARTICLE Sphingomyelin synthase-related protein SMSr controls ceramide homeostasis in the ER

Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell or... more Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell organization and survival. They are synthesized on the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transported by ceramide transfer protein to the Golgi for conversion to sphingomyelin (SM) by SM synthase SMS1. In this study, we report the identification of an SMS1-related (SMSr) enzyme, which catalyses the synthesis of the SM analogue ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) in the ER lumen. Strikingly, SMSr

Research paper thumbnail of Hepatocyte IKK2 Protects Mdr2 2/2 Mice from Chronic Liver Failure

Mice lacking the Abc4 protein encoded by the multidrug resistance-2 gene (Mdr2 2/2) develop chron... more Mice lacking the Abc4 protein encoded by the multidrug resistance-2 gene (Mdr2 2/2) develop chronic periductular inflammation and cholestatic liver disease resulting in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Inhibition of NF-kB by expression of an IkBa super-repressor (IkBaSR) transgene in hepatocytes was shown to prevent HCC development in Mdr2 2/2 mice, suggesting that NF-kB acts as a tumour promoter in this model of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. On the other hand, inhibition of NF-kB by hepatocyte specific ablation of IKK2 resulted in increased liver tumour development induced by the chemical carcinogen DEN. To address the role of IKK2-mediated NF-kB activation in hepatocytes in the pathogenesis of liver disease and HCC in Mdr2 2/2 mice, we generated Mdr2-deficient animals lacking IKK2 specifically in hepatocytes using the Cre-loxP system. Mdr2 2/2 mice lacking IKK2 in hepatocytes developed spontaneously a severe liver disease characterized by cholestasis, m...

Research paper thumbnail of Single-cell resolution unravels spatial alterations in metabolism, transcriptome and epigenome of ageing liver

ABSTRACTEpigenetic ageing clocks have revealed that tissues within an organism can age with diffe... more ABSTRACTEpigenetic ageing clocks have revealed that tissues within an organism can age with different velocity. However, it has not been explored whether cells of one type experience different ageing trajectories within a tissue depending on their location. Here, we employed lipidomics, spatial transcriptomics and single-cell ATAC-seq in conjunction with available single-cell RNA-seq data to address how cells in the murine liver are affected by age-related changes of the microenvironment. Integration of the datasets revealed zonation-specific and age-related changes in metabolic states, the epigenome and transcriptome. Particularly periportal hepatocytes were characterized by decreased mitochondrial function and strong alterations in the epigenetic landscape, while pericentral hepatocytes – despite accumulation of large lipid droplets – did not show apparent functional differences. In general, chromatin alterations did not correlate well with transcriptional changes, hinting at post...

Research paper thumbnail of A novel liposomal Clodronate depletes tumor-associated macrophages in primary and metastatic melanoma: Anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society, Jan 29, 2015

Abstract The depletion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), involved in different stages of ca... more Abstract The depletion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), involved in different stages of cancer development and progression, is an appealing strategy in cancer therapy. We developed novel Clodronate-containing liposomes (Clo-Lipo-DOTAP) presenting physicochemical properties (size distribution, polydispersity index and Z-potential) suited for safe storage and injections. In vitro, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP inhibited proliferation, reduced viability and induced apoptosis of a macrophage-like cell line in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In proof of functionality experiments, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP depleted macrophages in a genetic mouse model of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma leading to a significant reduction of F4/80-positive cells in the liver and spleen of treated mice compared to PBS-treated controls. The number of granulocytes, B and T lymphocytes was not affected. In B16/F10 subcutaneous melanoma-bearing mice, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP significantly reduced the volume of primary tumors (P In conclusion, the depletion of TAMs in primary and metastatic melanoma presents anti-tumor efficacy via inhibition of angiogenesis and modulation of inflammation related cytokines.

Research paper thumbnail of FADD prevents RIP3-mediated epithelial cell necrosis and chronic intestinal inflammation

Nature, 2011

Intestinal immune homeostasis depends on a tightly regulated cross talk between commensal bacteri... more Intestinal immune homeostasis depends on a tightly regulated cross talk between commensal bacteria, mucosal immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Epithelial barrier disruption is considered to be a potential cause of inflammatory bowel disease; however, the mechanisms regulating intestinal epithelial integrity are poorly understood. Here we show that mice with IEC-specific knockout of FADD (FADD(IEC-KO)), an adaptor protein required for death-receptor-induced apoptosis, spontaneously developed epithelial cell necrosis, loss of Paneth cells, enteritis and severe erosive colitis. Genetic deficiency in RIP3, a critical regulator of programmed necrosis, prevented the development of spontaneous pathology in both the small intestine and colon of FADD(IEC-KO) mice, demonstrating that intestinal inflammation is triggered by RIP3-dependent death of FADD-deficient IECs. Epithelial-specific inhibition of CYLD, a deubiquitinase that regulates cellular necrosis, prevented colitis development in FADD(IEC-KO) but not in NEMO(IEC-KO) mice, showing that different mechanisms mediated death of colonic epithelial cells in these two models. In FADD(IEC-KO) mice, TNF deficiency ameliorated colon inflammation, whereas MYD88 deficiency and also elimination of the microbiota prevented colon inflammation, indicating that bacteria-mediated Toll-like-receptor signalling drives colitis by inducing the expression of TNF and other cytokines. However, neither CYLD, TNF or MYD88 deficiency nor elimination of the microbiota could prevent Paneth cell loss and enteritis in FADD(IEC-KO) mice, showing that different mechanisms drive RIP3-dependent necrosis of FADD-deficient IECs in the small and large bowel. Therefore, by inhibiting RIP3-mediated IEC necrosis, FADD preserves epithelial barrier integrity and antibacterial defence, maintains homeostasis and prevents chronic intestinal inflammation. Collectively, these results show that mechanisms preventing RIP3-mediated epithelial cell death are critical for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and indicate that programmed necrosis of IECs might be implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, in which Paneth cell and barrier defects are thought to contribute to intestinal inflammation.

Research paper thumbnail of Sphingomyelin synthase-related protein SMSr controls ceramide homeostasis in the ER

The Journal of Cell Biology, 2009

Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell or... more Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell organization and survival. They are synthesized on the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transported by ceramide transfer protein to the Golgi for conversion to sphingomyelin (SM) by SM synthase SMS1. In this study, we report the identification of an SMS1-related (SMSr) enzyme, which catalyses the synthesis of the SM analogue ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) in the ER lumen. Strikingly, SMSr produces only trace amounts of CPE, i.e., 300-fold less than SMS1-derived SM. Nevertheless, blocking its catalytic activity causes a substantial rise in ER ceramide levels and a structural collapse of the early secretory pathway. We find that the latter phenotype is not caused by depletion of CPE but rather a consequence of ceramide accumulation in the ER. Our results establish SMSr as a key regulator of ceramide homeostasis that seems to operate as a sensor rather than a conver...

Research paper thumbnail of Minireview TANGOing along the protein secretion pathway

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be

Research paper thumbnail of Single organoid RNA-sequencing reveals high organoid-to-organoid variability

ABSTRACTOver the last decades, organoids have been established from the majority of tissue reside... more ABSTRACTOver the last decades, organoids have been established from the majority of tissue resident stem and iPS cells. They hold great promise for our understanding of mammalian organ development, but also for the study of disease or even personalized medicine. In recent years, several reports hinted at intraculture organoid variability, but a systematic analysis of such a heterogeneity has not been performed before. Here, we used RNA-seq of individual organoids to address this question. Importantly, we find that batch-to-batch variation is very low, even when prepared by different researchers. On the other hand, there is organoid-to-organoid variability within a culture. Using differential gene expression, we did not identify specific pathways that drive this variability, pointing towards possible effects of the microenvironment within the culture condition. Taken together, our study provides a framework for organoid researchers to properly consider experimental design.

Research paper thumbnail of Autophosphorylation at serine 166 regulates RIP kinase 1-mediated cell death and inflammation

Nature Communications, Apr 8, 2020

Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) regulates cell death and inflammatory responses dow... more Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) regulates cell death and inflammatory responses downstream of TNFR1 and other receptors, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and degenerative diseases. RIPK1 kinase activity induces apoptosis and necroptosis, however the mechanisms and phosphorylation events regulating RIPK1-dependent cell death signaling remain poorly understood. Here we show that RIPK1 autophosphorylation at serine 166 plays a critical role for the activation of RIPK1 kinase-dependent apoptosis and necroptosis. Moreover, we show that S166 phosphorylation is required for RIPK1 kinase-dependent pathogenesis of inflammatory pathologies in vivo in four relevant mouse models. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that trans autophosphorylation at S166 modulates RIPK1 kinase activation but is not by itself sufficient to induce cell death. These results show that S166 autophosphorylation licenses RIPK1 kinase activity to induce downstream cell death signaling and inflammation, suggesting that S166 phosphorylation can serve as a reliable biomarker for RIPK1 kinase-dependent pathologies.

Research paper thumbnail of Distinct Cell-Specific TNFR1-Signaling Determines Liver Damage in Experimental Hepatitis

Research paper thumbnail of Depolarized Hepatocytes Express the Stem/Progenitor Cell Marker Neighbor of Punc E11 After Bile Duct Ligation in Mice

The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society, 2018

There is a medical need of biomarkers for disease stratification in cholestatic liver diseases th... more There is a medical need of biomarkers for disease stratification in cholestatic liver diseases that come along with changes in hepatocyte polarity. Neighbor of Punc E11 (Nope) is an oncofetal marker that is lost after final differentiation and polarization of hepatocytes. We analyzed the expression pattern of Nope and connexin (Cx) 26 as markers of hepatocyte polarization during murine liver development as well as in adult liver with or without bile duct ligation (BDL) by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry. Nope is highly expressed in fetal and postnatal liver but barely detectable thereafter. Cx26, however, is much higher expressed in adult than in fetal liver. Postnatally, Nope is directed to the sinusoidal membrane of early hepatocytes while Cx26 remains distributed over the whole membrane indicating limited polarization. In the adult liver, only Cx26 is detectable and restricted to the...

Research paper thumbnail of CLUH regulates mitochondrial metabolism by controlling translation and decay of target mRNAs

The Journal of cell biology, Mar 6, 2017

Mitochondria are essential organelles that host crucial metabolic pathways and produce adenosine ... more Mitochondria are essential organelles that host crucial metabolic pathways and produce adenosine triphosphate. The mitochondrial proteome is heterogeneous among tissues and can dynamically change in response to different metabolic conditions. Although the transcriptional programs that govern mitochondrial biogenesis and respiratory function are well known, posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we show that the cytosolic RNA-binding protein clustered mitochondria homologue (CLUH) regulates the expression of a mitochondrial protein network supporting key metabolic programs required under nutrient deprivation. CLUH exerts its function by controlling the stability and translation of target messenger RNAs. In the absence of Cluh, mitochondria are severely depleted of crucial enzymes involved in catabolic energy-converting pathways. CLUH preserves oxidative mitochondrial function and glucose homeostasis, thus preventing death at the fetal-neonatal transi...

Research paper thumbnail of Abstract 3844: A novel liposomal Clodronate depletes tumor-associated macrophages in primary and metastatic melanoma: anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects

Research paper thumbnail of RIPK1 and death receptor signaling drive biliary damage and early liver tumorigenesis in mice with chronic hepatobiliary injury

Cell Death & Differentiation

Hepatocyte apoptosis is intrinsically linked to chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis. C... more Hepatocyte apoptosis is intrinsically linked to chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis. Conversely, necroptosis of hepatocytes and other liver cell types and its relevance for liver disease is debated. Using liver parenchymal cell (LPC)specific TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-deficient (TAK1 LPC-KO) mice, which exhibit spontaneous hepatocellular and biliary damage, hepatitis, and early hepatocarcinogenesis, we have investigated the contribution of apoptosis and necroptosis in hepatocyte and cholangiocyte death and their impact on liver disease progression. Here, we provide in vivo evidence showing that TAK1-deficient cholangiocytes undergo spontaneous necroptosis induced primarily by TNFR1 and dependent on RIPK1 kinase activity, RIPK3, and NEMO. In contrast, TAK1-deficient hepatocytes die by FADD-dependent apoptosis, which is not significantly inhibited by LPC-specific RIPK1 deficiency, inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity, RIPK3 deficiency or combined LPC-specific deletion of TNFR1, TRAILR, and Fas. Accordingly, normal mouse cholangiocytes can undergo necroptosis, while primary hepatocytes are resistant to it and die exclusively by apoptosis upon treatment with cell death-inducing stimuli in vitro, likely due to the differential expression of RIPK3. Interestingly, the genetic modifications that conferred protection from biliary damage also prevented the spontaneous lethality that was often observed in TAK1 LPC-KO mice. In the presence of chronic hepatocyte apoptosis, preventing biliary damage delayed but did not avert hepatocarcinogenesis. On the contrary, inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis fully prevented liver tumorigenesis even in mice with extensive biliary damage. Altogether, our results suggest that using RIPK1 kinase activity inhibitors could be therapeutically useful for cholestatic liver disease patients.

Research paper thumbnail of RIP Kinases in Liver Cell Death, Inflammation and Cancer

Trends in Molecular Medicine

Research paper thumbnail of Kinase-independent functions of RIPK1 regulate hepatocyte survival and liver carcinogenesis

Journal of Clinical Investigation

Research paper thumbnail of RIPK1 and allies in the battle against hepatocyte apoptosis and liver cancer

Translational Cancer Research

Research paper thumbnail of Sphingomyelin synthases: double trouble in the family

Chemistry and Physics of Lipids, 2007

Research paper thumbnail of ADAR1 averts fatal type I interferon induction by ZBP1

Nature

Mutations of the ADAR1 gene encoding an RNA deaminase cause severe diseases associated with chron... more Mutations of the ADAR1 gene encoding an RNA deaminase cause severe diseases associated with chronic activation of type I interferon (IFN) responses, including Aicardi–Goutières syndrome and bilateral striatal necrosis1–3. The IFN-inducible p150 isoform of ADAR1 contains a Zα domain that recognizes RNA with an alternative left-handed double-helix structure, termed Z-RNA4,5. Hemizygous ADAR1 mutations in the Zα domain cause type I IFN-mediated pathologies in humans2,3 and mice6–8; however, it remains unclear how the interaction of ADAR1 with Z-RNA prevents IFN activation. Here we show that Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1), the only other protein in mammals known to harbour Zα domains9, promotes type I IFN activation and fatal pathology in mice with impaired ADAR1 function. ZBP1 deficiency or mutation of its Zα domains reduced the expression of IFN-stimulated genes and largely prevented early postnatal lethality in mice with hemizygous expression of ADAR1 with mutated Zα domain (Adar1mZα...

Research paper thumbnail of Autophagy-related activation of hepatic stellate cells reduces cellular miR-29a by promoting its vesicular secretion

Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2022

Research paper thumbnail of JCB: ARTICLE Sphingomyelin synthase-related protein SMSr controls ceramide homeostasis in the ER

Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell or... more Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell organization and survival. They are synthesized on the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transported by ceramide transfer protein to the Golgi for conversion to sphingomyelin (SM) by SM synthase SMS1. In this study, we report the identification of an SMS1-related (SMSr) enzyme, which catalyses the synthesis of the SM analogue ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) in the ER lumen. Strikingly, SMSr

Research paper thumbnail of Hepatocyte IKK2 Protects Mdr2 2/2 Mice from Chronic Liver Failure

Mice lacking the Abc4 protein encoded by the multidrug resistance-2 gene (Mdr2 2/2) develop chron... more Mice lacking the Abc4 protein encoded by the multidrug resistance-2 gene (Mdr2 2/2) develop chronic periductular inflammation and cholestatic liver disease resulting in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Inhibition of NF-kB by expression of an IkBa super-repressor (IkBaSR) transgene in hepatocytes was shown to prevent HCC development in Mdr2 2/2 mice, suggesting that NF-kB acts as a tumour promoter in this model of inflammation-associated carcinogenesis. On the other hand, inhibition of NF-kB by hepatocyte specific ablation of IKK2 resulted in increased liver tumour development induced by the chemical carcinogen DEN. To address the role of IKK2-mediated NF-kB activation in hepatocytes in the pathogenesis of liver disease and HCC in Mdr2 2/2 mice, we generated Mdr2-deficient animals lacking IKK2 specifically in hepatocytes using the Cre-loxP system. Mdr2 2/2 mice lacking IKK2 in hepatocytes developed spontaneously a severe liver disease characterized by cholestasis, m...

Research paper thumbnail of Single-cell resolution unravels spatial alterations in metabolism, transcriptome and epigenome of ageing liver

ABSTRACTEpigenetic ageing clocks have revealed that tissues within an organism can age with diffe... more ABSTRACTEpigenetic ageing clocks have revealed that tissues within an organism can age with different velocity. However, it has not been explored whether cells of one type experience different ageing trajectories within a tissue depending on their location. Here, we employed lipidomics, spatial transcriptomics and single-cell ATAC-seq in conjunction with available single-cell RNA-seq data to address how cells in the murine liver are affected by age-related changes of the microenvironment. Integration of the datasets revealed zonation-specific and age-related changes in metabolic states, the epigenome and transcriptome. Particularly periportal hepatocytes were characterized by decreased mitochondrial function and strong alterations in the epigenetic landscape, while pericentral hepatocytes – despite accumulation of large lipid droplets – did not show apparent functional differences. In general, chromatin alterations did not correlate well with transcriptional changes, hinting at post...

Research paper thumbnail of A novel liposomal Clodronate depletes tumor-associated macrophages in primary and metastatic melanoma: Anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects

Journal of controlled release : official journal of the Controlled Release Society, Jan 29, 2015

Abstract The depletion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), involved in different stages of ca... more Abstract The depletion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), involved in different stages of cancer development and progression, is an appealing strategy in cancer therapy. We developed novel Clodronate-containing liposomes (Clo-Lipo-DOTAP) presenting physicochemical properties (size distribution, polydispersity index and Z-potential) suited for safe storage and injections. In vitro, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP inhibited proliferation, reduced viability and induced apoptosis of a macrophage-like cell line in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In proof of functionality experiments, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP depleted macrophages in a genetic mouse model of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma leading to a significant reduction of F4/80-positive cells in the liver and spleen of treated mice compared to PBS-treated controls. The number of granulocytes, B and T lymphocytes was not affected. In B16/F10 subcutaneous melanoma-bearing mice, Clo-Lipo-DOTAP significantly reduced the volume of primary tumors (P In conclusion, the depletion of TAMs in primary and metastatic melanoma presents anti-tumor efficacy via inhibition of angiogenesis and modulation of inflammation related cytokines.

Research paper thumbnail of FADD prevents RIP3-mediated epithelial cell necrosis and chronic intestinal inflammation

Nature, 2011

Intestinal immune homeostasis depends on a tightly regulated cross talk between commensal bacteri... more Intestinal immune homeostasis depends on a tightly regulated cross talk between commensal bacteria, mucosal immune cells and intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Epithelial barrier disruption is considered to be a potential cause of inflammatory bowel disease; however, the mechanisms regulating intestinal epithelial integrity are poorly understood. Here we show that mice with IEC-specific knockout of FADD (FADD(IEC-KO)), an adaptor protein required for death-receptor-induced apoptosis, spontaneously developed epithelial cell necrosis, loss of Paneth cells, enteritis and severe erosive colitis. Genetic deficiency in RIP3, a critical regulator of programmed necrosis, prevented the development of spontaneous pathology in both the small intestine and colon of FADD(IEC-KO) mice, demonstrating that intestinal inflammation is triggered by RIP3-dependent death of FADD-deficient IECs. Epithelial-specific inhibition of CYLD, a deubiquitinase that regulates cellular necrosis, prevented colitis development in FADD(IEC-KO) but not in NEMO(IEC-KO) mice, showing that different mechanisms mediated death of colonic epithelial cells in these two models. In FADD(IEC-KO) mice, TNF deficiency ameliorated colon inflammation, whereas MYD88 deficiency and also elimination of the microbiota prevented colon inflammation, indicating that bacteria-mediated Toll-like-receptor signalling drives colitis by inducing the expression of TNF and other cytokines. However, neither CYLD, TNF or MYD88 deficiency nor elimination of the microbiota could prevent Paneth cell loss and enteritis in FADD(IEC-KO) mice, showing that different mechanisms drive RIP3-dependent necrosis of FADD-deficient IECs in the small and large bowel. Therefore, by inhibiting RIP3-mediated IEC necrosis, FADD preserves epithelial barrier integrity and antibacterial defence, maintains homeostasis and prevents chronic intestinal inflammation. Collectively, these results show that mechanisms preventing RIP3-mediated epithelial cell death are critical for the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and indicate that programmed necrosis of IECs might be implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, in which Paneth cell and barrier defects are thought to contribute to intestinal inflammation.

Research paper thumbnail of Sphingomyelin synthase-related protein SMSr controls ceramide homeostasis in the ER

The Journal of Cell Biology, 2009

Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell or... more Ceramides are central intermediates of sphingolipid metabolism with critical functions in cell organization and survival. They are synthesized on the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and transported by ceramide transfer protein to the Golgi for conversion to sphingomyelin (SM) by SM synthase SMS1. In this study, we report the identification of an SMS1-related (SMSr) enzyme, which catalyses the synthesis of the SM analogue ceramide phosphoethanolamine (CPE) in the ER lumen. Strikingly, SMSr produces only trace amounts of CPE, i.e., 300-fold less than SMS1-derived SM. Nevertheless, blocking its catalytic activity causes a substantial rise in ER ceramide levels and a structural collapse of the early secretory pathway. We find that the latter phenotype is not caused by depletion of CPE but rather a consequence of ceramide accumulation in the ER. Our results establish SMSr as a key regulator of ceramide homeostasis that seems to operate as a sensor rather than a conver...

Research paper thumbnail of Minireview TANGOing along the protein secretion pathway

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be

Research paper thumbnail of Single organoid RNA-sequencing reveals high organoid-to-organoid variability

ABSTRACTOver the last decades, organoids have been established from the majority of tissue reside... more ABSTRACTOver the last decades, organoids have been established from the majority of tissue resident stem and iPS cells. They hold great promise for our understanding of mammalian organ development, but also for the study of disease or even personalized medicine. In recent years, several reports hinted at intraculture organoid variability, but a systematic analysis of such a heterogeneity has not been performed before. Here, we used RNA-seq of individual organoids to address this question. Importantly, we find that batch-to-batch variation is very low, even when prepared by different researchers. On the other hand, there is organoid-to-organoid variability within a culture. Using differential gene expression, we did not identify specific pathways that drive this variability, pointing towards possible effects of the microenvironment within the culture condition. Taken together, our study provides a framework for organoid researchers to properly consider experimental design.

Research paper thumbnail of Autophosphorylation at serine 166 regulates RIP kinase 1-mediated cell death and inflammation

Nature Communications, Apr 8, 2020

Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) regulates cell death and inflammatory responses dow... more Receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) regulates cell death and inflammatory responses downstream of TNFR1 and other receptors, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and degenerative diseases. RIPK1 kinase activity induces apoptosis and necroptosis, however the mechanisms and phosphorylation events regulating RIPK1-dependent cell death signaling remain poorly understood. Here we show that RIPK1 autophosphorylation at serine 166 plays a critical role for the activation of RIPK1 kinase-dependent apoptosis and necroptosis. Moreover, we show that S166 phosphorylation is required for RIPK1 kinase-dependent pathogenesis of inflammatory pathologies in vivo in four relevant mouse models. Mechanistically, we provide evidence that trans autophosphorylation at S166 modulates RIPK1 kinase activation but is not by itself sufficient to induce cell death. These results show that S166 autophosphorylation licenses RIPK1 kinase activity to induce downstream cell death signaling and inflammation, suggesting that S166 phosphorylation can serve as a reliable biomarker for RIPK1 kinase-dependent pathologies.

Research paper thumbnail of Distinct Cell-Specific TNFR1-Signaling Determines Liver Damage in Experimental Hepatitis

Research paper thumbnail of Depolarized Hepatocytes Express the Stem/Progenitor Cell Marker Neighbor of Punc E11 After Bile Duct Ligation in Mice

The journal of histochemistry and cytochemistry : official journal of the Histochemistry Society, 2018

There is a medical need of biomarkers for disease stratification in cholestatic liver diseases th... more There is a medical need of biomarkers for disease stratification in cholestatic liver diseases that come along with changes in hepatocyte polarity. Neighbor of Punc E11 (Nope) is an oncofetal marker that is lost after final differentiation and polarization of hepatocytes. We analyzed the expression pattern of Nope and connexin (Cx) 26 as markers of hepatocyte polarization during murine liver development as well as in adult liver with or without bile duct ligation (BDL) by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry. Nope is highly expressed in fetal and postnatal liver but barely detectable thereafter. Cx26, however, is much higher expressed in adult than in fetal liver. Postnatally, Nope is directed to the sinusoidal membrane of early hepatocytes while Cx26 remains distributed over the whole membrane indicating limited polarization. In the adult liver, only Cx26 is detectable and restricted to the...

Research paper thumbnail of CLUH regulates mitochondrial metabolism by controlling translation and decay of target mRNAs

The Journal of cell biology, Mar 6, 2017

Mitochondria are essential organelles that host crucial metabolic pathways and produce adenosine ... more Mitochondria are essential organelles that host crucial metabolic pathways and produce adenosine triphosphate. The mitochondrial proteome is heterogeneous among tissues and can dynamically change in response to different metabolic conditions. Although the transcriptional programs that govern mitochondrial biogenesis and respiratory function are well known, posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we show that the cytosolic RNA-binding protein clustered mitochondria homologue (CLUH) regulates the expression of a mitochondrial protein network supporting key metabolic programs required under nutrient deprivation. CLUH exerts its function by controlling the stability and translation of target messenger RNAs. In the absence of Cluh, mitochondria are severely depleted of crucial enzymes involved in catabolic energy-converting pathways. CLUH preserves oxidative mitochondrial function and glucose homeostasis, thus preventing death at the fetal-neonatal transi...

Research paper thumbnail of Abstract 3844: A novel liposomal Clodronate depletes tumor-associated macrophages in primary and metastatic melanoma: anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor effects

Research paper thumbnail of RIPK1 and death receptor signaling drive biliary damage and early liver tumorigenesis in mice with chronic hepatobiliary injury

Cell Death & Differentiation

Hepatocyte apoptosis is intrinsically linked to chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis. C... more Hepatocyte apoptosis is intrinsically linked to chronic liver disease and hepatocarcinogenesis. Conversely, necroptosis of hepatocytes and other liver cell types and its relevance for liver disease is debated. Using liver parenchymal cell (LPC)specific TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-deficient (TAK1 LPC-KO) mice, which exhibit spontaneous hepatocellular and biliary damage, hepatitis, and early hepatocarcinogenesis, we have investigated the contribution of apoptosis and necroptosis in hepatocyte and cholangiocyte death and their impact on liver disease progression. Here, we provide in vivo evidence showing that TAK1-deficient cholangiocytes undergo spontaneous necroptosis induced primarily by TNFR1 and dependent on RIPK1 kinase activity, RIPK3, and NEMO. In contrast, TAK1-deficient hepatocytes die by FADD-dependent apoptosis, which is not significantly inhibited by LPC-specific RIPK1 deficiency, inhibition of RIPK1 kinase activity, RIPK3 deficiency or combined LPC-specific deletion of TNFR1, TRAILR, and Fas. Accordingly, normal mouse cholangiocytes can undergo necroptosis, while primary hepatocytes are resistant to it and die exclusively by apoptosis upon treatment with cell death-inducing stimuli in vitro, likely due to the differential expression of RIPK3. Interestingly, the genetic modifications that conferred protection from biliary damage also prevented the spontaneous lethality that was often observed in TAK1 LPC-KO mice. In the presence of chronic hepatocyte apoptosis, preventing biliary damage delayed but did not avert hepatocarcinogenesis. On the contrary, inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis fully prevented liver tumorigenesis even in mice with extensive biliary damage. Altogether, our results suggest that using RIPK1 kinase activity inhibitors could be therapeutically useful for cholestatic liver disease patients.

Research paper thumbnail of RIP Kinases in Liver Cell Death, Inflammation and Cancer

Trends in Molecular Medicine

Research paper thumbnail of Kinase-independent functions of RIPK1 regulate hepatocyte survival and liver carcinogenesis

Journal of Clinical Investigation

Research paper thumbnail of RIPK1 and allies in the battle against hepatocyte apoptosis and liver cancer

Translational Cancer Research