title: Sphingosine 1-phosphate cross-activates the Smad signaling cascade and mimics transforming growth factor-beta-induced cell responses.
abstract: Exposure of renal mesangial cells to sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) leads to a rapid and transient activation of the mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinases but also the protein kinase B. Here, we show that S1P also induces phosphorylation of Smad proteins, which are members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling device. However, Smad phosphorylation occurred more slowly with a maximal effect after 20-30 min of S1P stimulation when compared with the rapid activation of the MAPKs. Interestingly, Smad phosphorylation is increased by pertussis toxin, which is in contrast to the complete inhibition of S1P-induced MAPK phosphorylation by pertussis toxin. TGF-beta is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine, which in mesangial cells attenuates the expression of (i) inducible nitricoxide synthase (iNOS) caused by interleukin (IL)-1beta, (ii) secreted phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)), and (iii) matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). These gene products are also down-regulated by S1P in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the expression of connective tissue growth factor is enhanced by both TGF-beta(2) and S1P. These effects of S1P are not mediated by the MAPK cascade as neither pertussis toxin nor the MAPK cascade inhibitor U0126 are able to reverse this inhibition. Overexpression of the inhibitory Smad-7 or down-regulation of co-Smad-4 lead to a reversal of the blocking effect of S1P on IL-1beta-induced NO release. Moreover, down-regulating the TGF-beta receptor type II by the siRNA technique or antagonizing the S1P(3) receptor subtype with suramin abrogates S1P-stimulated Smad phosphorylation. In summary, our data show that S1P trans-activates the TGF-beta receptor and triggers activation of Smads followed by activation of connective tissue growth factor gene transcription and inhibition of IL-1beta-induced expression of iNOS, sPLA(2), and MMP-9.
authors.affiliation: Pharmazentrum Frankfurt, Klinikum der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Cuiyan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Shuyu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Burkhardt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kleuser
authors.forename: Soheyla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shabahang
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Eberhardt
authors.forename: Heinfried
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Radeke
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schäfer-Korting
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pfeilschifter
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Huwiler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002070:Butadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005920:Glomerular Mesangium / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051381:Rats; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002070:Butadienes; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008246:Lysophospholipids; D009570:Nitriles; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; C113580:U 0126; C060506:sphingosine 1-phosphate; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D013110:Sphingosine