Macrophage immunomodulation by breast cancer-derived exosomes requires Toll-like receptor 2-mediated activation of NF-κB.

Growing evidence links tumor progression with chronic inflammatory processes and dysregulated activity of various immune cells. In this study, we demonstrate that various types of macrophages internalize microvesicles, called exosomes, secreted by breast cancer and non-cancerous cell lines. Although both types of exosomes targeted macrophages, only cancer-derived exosomes stimulated NF-κB activation in macrophages resulting in secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNFα, GCSF, and CCL2.

COH-SR4 reduces body weight, improves glycemic control and prevents hepatic steatosis in high fat diet-induced obese mice.

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, and is one of the principal causative factors in the development of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cancer. COH-SR4 ("SR4") is a novel investigational compound that has anti-cancer and anti-adipogenic properties. In this study, the effects of SR4 on metabolic alterations in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/J6 mice were investigated.

Mass spectrometric analyses of phosphatidylcholines in alkali-exposed corneal tissue.

Purpose: The aims were to determine whether exposure to sodium hydroxide results in predictable changes in phosphatidylcholine (PC) in corneal tissue and if PC profile changes correlate to exposure duration. PCs are major components of the cell membrane lipid bilayer and are often involved in biological processes such as signaling.

Methods: Enucleated porcine (n = 140) and cadaver human eyes (n = 20) were exposed to water (control) and 11 M NaOH.

A 13-Oxo-9,10-epoxytridecenoate phospholipid analogue of the genotoxic 4,5-epoxy-2E-decenal: detection in vivo, chemical synthesis, and adduction with DNA.

Often guided by analogy with nonphospholipid products from oxidative cleavage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, we previously identified a variety of biologically active oxidatively truncated phospholipids. Previously, 4,5-epoxy-2(E)-decenal (4,5-EDE) was found to be produced by oxidative cleavage of 13-(S)-hydroperoxy-9,11-(Z,E)-octadeca-dienoic acid (13-HPODE). 4,5-EDE reacts with deoxy-adenosine (dAdo) and deoxy-guanosine (dGuo) to form mutagenic etheno derivatives.

The lipid whisker model of the structure of oxidized cell membranes.

An essential feature of the innate immune system is maintaining cellular homeostasis by identifying and removing senescent and apoptotic cells and modified lipoproteins. Identification is achieved through the recognition of molecular patterns, including structurally distinct oxidized phospholipids, on target cells by macrophage receptors. Both the structural nature of the molecular patterns recognized and their orientation within membranes has remained elusive.

A role for neutral sphingomyelinase activation in the inhibition of LPS action by phospholipid oxidation products.

Previous studies from our laboratory and others presented evidence that oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (OxPAPC) and oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine can inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated induction of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in endothelial cells. Using synthetic derivatives of phosphatidylethanolamine, we now demonstrate that phospholipid oxidation products containing alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids are the most active inhibitors we examined. 5-Keto-6-octendioic acid ester of 2-phosphatidylcholine (KOdiA-PC) was 500-fold more inhibitory than OxPAPC, being active in the nanomolar range.

Identification of oxidatively truncated ethanolamine phospholipids in retina and their generation from polyunsaturated phosphatidylethanolamines.

Oxidized (ox) phospholipids are receiving growing recognition as important messengers in oxidative stress signaling pathways and as endogenous electrophilic toxins that interfere with protein function through covalent modifications. Phosphatidylcholine lipids predominate in low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Our previous studies of oxLDL identified a family of biologically active oxidatively truncated phosphatidylcholines that are also present in atherosclerotic plaques.

Total syntheses of bioactive oxidized ethanolamine phospholipids.

[reaction: see text] Truncated ethanolamine phospholipids containing aldehyde functionality, e.g. OVPE, and the corresponding acids, are generated by oxidative cleavage of polyunsaturated phospholipids.