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Progress in Lipid Research Oct 2014Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the major anionic phospholipid class particularly enriched in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in neural tissues. PS is synthesized... (Review)
Review
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the major anionic phospholipid class particularly enriched in the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in neural tissues. PS is synthesized from phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylethanolamine by exchanging the base head group with serine, and this reaction is catalyzed by phosphatidylserine synthase 1 and phosphatidylserine synthase 2 located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Activation of Akt, Raf-1 and protein kinase C signaling, which supports neuronal survival and differentiation, requires interaction of these proteins with PS localized in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane. Furthermore, neurotransmitter release by exocytosis and a number of synaptic receptors and proteins are modulated by PS present in the neuronal membranes. Brain is highly enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and brain PS has a high DHA content. By promoting PS synthesis, DHA can uniquely expand the PS pool in neuronal membranes and thereby influence PS-dependent signaling and protein function. Ethanol decreases DHA-promoted PS synthesis and accumulation in neurons, which may contribute to the deleterious effects of ethanol intake. Improvement of some memory functions has been observed in cognitively impaired subjects as a result of PS supplementation, but the mechanism is unclear.
Topics: Animals; Biosynthetic Pathways; Brain; Cell Differentiation; Cell Survival; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Humans; Models, Biological; Neurons; Phosphatidylserines
PubMed: 24992464
DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2014.06.002 -
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology Aug 2023Cellular membranes function as permeability barriers that separate cells from the external environment or partition cells into distinct compartments. These membranes are... (Review)
Review
Cellular membranes function as permeability barriers that separate cells from the external environment or partition cells into distinct compartments. These membranes are lipid bilayers composed of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids and cholesterol, in which proteins are embedded. Glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids freely move laterally, whereas transverse movement between lipid bilayers is limited. Phospholipids are asymmetrically distributed between membrane leaflets but change their location in biological processes, serving as signalling molecules or enzyme activators. Designated proteins - flippases and scramblases - mediate this lipid movement between the bilayers. Flippases mediate the confined localization of specific phospholipids (phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) and phosphatidylethanolamine) to the cytoplasmic leaflet. Scramblases randomly scramble phospholipids between leaflets and facilitate the exposure of PtdSer on the cell surface, which serves as an important signalling molecule and as an 'eat me' signal for phagocytes. Defects in flippases and scramblases cause various human diseases. We herein review the recent research on the structure of flippases and scramblases and their physiological roles. Although still poorly understood, we address the mechanisms by which they translocate phospholipids between lipid bilayers and how defects cause human diseases.
Topics: Humans; Lipid Bilayers; Phospholipids; Cell Membrane; Glycerophospholipids; Phosphatidylserines
PubMed: 37106071
DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00604-z -
Cytometry Jan 1998Apoptosis is a programmed, physiological mode of cell death that plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. Understanding of the basic mechanisms that underlie... (Review)
Review
Apoptosis is a programmed, physiological mode of cell death that plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. Understanding of the basic mechanisms that underlie apoptosis will point to potentially new targets of therapeutic treatment of diseases that show an imbalance between cell proliferation and cell loss. In order to conduct such research, techniques and tools to reliably identify and enumerate death by apoptosis are essential. This review focuses on a novel technique to detect apoptosis by targeting for the loss of phospholipid asymmetry of the plasma membrane. It was recently shown that loss of plasma membrane asymmetry is an early event in apoptosis, independent of the cell type, resulting in the exposure of phosphatidylserine (PS) residues at the outer plasma membrane leaflet. Annexin V was shown to interact strongly and specifically with PS and can be used to detect apoptosis by targeting for the loss of plasma membrane asymmetry. Labeled annexin V can be applied both in flow cytometry and in light microscopy in both vital and fixed material by using appropriate protocols. The annexin V method is an extension to the current available methods. This review describes the basic mechanisms underlying the loss of membrane asymmetry during apoptosis and discusses the novel annexin V-binding assay.
Topics: Animals; Annexin A5; Apoptosis; Cell Membrane; Flow Cytometry; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Phosphatidylserines
PubMed: 9450519
DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0320(19980101)31:1<1::aid-cyto1>3.0.co;2-r -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Apr 2023CD8 T cells are crucial for the clearance of viral infections. During the acute phase, proinflammatory conditions increase the amount of circulating phosphatidylserine...
CD8 T cells are crucial for the clearance of viral infections. During the acute phase, proinflammatory conditions increase the amount of circulating phosphatidylserine (PS) extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs interact especially with CD8 T cells; however, it remains unclear whether they can actively modulate CD8 T cell responses. In this study, we have developed a method to analyze cell-bound PS EVs and their target cells in vivo. We show that EV cell abundance increases during viral infection and that EVs preferentially bind to activated, but not naive, CD8 T cells. Superresolution imaging revealed that PS EVs attach to clusters of CD8 molecules on the T cell surface. Furthermore, EV-binding induces antigen (Ag)-specific TCR signaling and increased nuclear translocation of the transcription factor Nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFATc1) in vivo. EV-decorated but not EV-free CD8 T cells are enriched for gene signatures associated with T-cell receptor signaling, early effector differentiation, and proliferation. Our data thus demonstrate that PS EVs provide Ag-specific adjuvant effects to activated CD8 T cells in vivo.
Topics: Humans; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Phosphatidylserines; Extracellular Vesicles; Virus Diseases; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 37040405
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210047120 -
Biochemical Pharmacology Dec 2022In mammalian cells, phospholipids and cholesterol are assembled into bilayer membranes forming the plasma membrane, nuclear envelope, mitochondria, endoplasmic... (Review)
Review
In mammalian cells, phospholipids and cholesterol are assembled into bilayer membranes forming the plasma membrane, nuclear envelope, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and endosomes. Phospholipids are divided into classes based on the molecular structures, including phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol, cardiolipin, and sphingomyelin. In addition to their structural roles, phospholipids play important roles in many cellular processes, such as membrane protein regulation, membrane trafficking, cell growth, apoptosis, and intracellular signaling. Thus, abnormal phospholipid metabolism is associated with various diseases. In mammalian cells, phospholipid classes are generated through several enzymatic steps, predominantly in the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus. In recent years, various enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of phospholipid classes have been identified. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of phospholipid classes. Using our recently developed enzymatic fluorometric assays for all major phospholipid classes, we have demonstrated changes in phospholipid composition in intracellular organelles during cell growth. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the properties and functions of phospholipid biosynthesis enzymes, and discuss their regulatory mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Phospholipids; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Mitochondria; Cell Membrane; Phosphatidylserines; Mammals
PubMed: 36241095
DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115296 -
Cellular Immunology Feb 2023Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an anionic phospholipid exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells. The exposure of PS typically recruits and signals phagocytes to engulf and...
Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an anionic phospholipid exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells. The exposure of PS typically recruits and signals phagocytes to engulf and silently clear these dying cells to maintain tolerance via immunological ignorance. However, recent and emerging evidence has demonstrated that PS converts an "immunogen" into a "tolerogen", and PS exposure on the surface of cells or vesicles actively promotes a tolerogenic environment. This tolerogenic property depends on the biophysical characteristics of PS-containing vesicles, including PS density on the particle surface to effectively engage tolerogenic receptors, such as TIM-4, which is exclusively expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. We harnessed the cellular and molecular mechanistic insight of PS-mediated immune regulation to design an effective oral tolerance approach. This immunotherapy has been shown to prevent/reduce immune response against life-saving protein-based therapies, food allergens, autoantigens, and the antigenic viral capsid peptide commonly used in gene therapy, suggesting a broad spectrum of potential clinical applications. Given the good safety profile of PS together with the ease of administration, oral tolerance achieved with PS-based nanoparticles has a very promising therapeutic impact.
Topics: Phosphatidylserines; Immunotherapy; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Autoantigens; Immune Tolerance; Apoptosis
PubMed: 36586393
DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2022.104660 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Nov 2018
Topics: Macrophages; Phosphatidylserines; Phospholipids; Precursor Cells, B-Lymphoid
PubMed: 30446613
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1817485115 -
Biochemical Society Transactions Oct 2022Phagocytosis triggered by the phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) is key for the removal of apoptotic cells in development, tissue homeostasis and infection. Modulation... (Review)
Review
Phagocytosis triggered by the phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) is key for the removal of apoptotic cells in development, tissue homeostasis and infection. Modulation of PS-mediated phagocytosis is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in the context of atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disease, and cancer. Whereas the mechanisms of target recognition, lipid and protein signalling, and cytoskeletal remodelling in opsonin-driven modes of phagocytosis are increasingly well understood, PS-mediated phagocytosis has remained more elusive. This is partially due to the involvement of a multitude of receptors with at least some redundancy in functioning, which complicates dissecting their contributions and results in complex downstream signalling networks. This review focusses on the receptors involved in PS-recognition, the signalling cascades that connect receptors to cytoskeletal remodelling required for phagocytosis, and recent progress in our understanding of how phagocytic cup formation is coordinated during PS-mediated phagocytosis.
Topics: Humans; Phosphatidylserines; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Apoptosis; Phagocytosis; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 36281986
DOI: 10.1042/BST20211254 -
Journal of Human Nutrition and... Apr 2014Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorder of childhood, affecting 3-5% of school-age children. The present... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of phosphatidylserine administration on memory and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed behavioural disorder of childhood, affecting 3-5% of school-age children. The present study investigated whether the supplementation of soy-derived phosphatidylserine (PS), a naturally occurring phospholipid, improves ADHD symptoms in children.
METHODS
Thirty six children, aged 4-14 years, who had not previously received any drug treatment related to ADHD, received placebo (n = 17) or 200 mg day(-1) PS (n = 19) for 2 months in a randomised, double-blind manner. Main outcome measures included: (i) ADHD symptoms based on DSM-IV-TR; (ii) short-term auditory memory and working memory using the Digit Span Test of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; and (iii) mental performance to visual stimuli (GO/NO GO task).
RESULTS
PS supplementation resulted in significant improvements in: (i) ADHD (P < 0.01), AD (P < 0.01) and HD (P < 0.01); (ii) short-term auditory memory (P < 0.05); and (iii) inattention (differentiation and reverse differentiation, P < 0.05) and inattention and impulsivity (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in other measurements and in the placebo group. PS was well-tolerated and showed no adverse effects.
CONCLUSIONS
PS significantly improved ADHD symptoms and short-term auditory memory in children. PS supplementation might be a safe and natural nutritional strategy for improving mental performance in young children suffering from ADHD.
Topics: Adolescent; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Child; Child, Preschool; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Male; Memory; Phosphatidylserines; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 23495677
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12090 -
Nature Reviews. Microbiology Aug 2015As opportunistic pathogens, viruses have evolved many elegant strategies to manipulate host cells for infectious entry and replication. Viral apoptotic mimicry, defined... (Review)
Review
As opportunistic pathogens, viruses have evolved many elegant strategies to manipulate host cells for infectious entry and replication. Viral apoptotic mimicry, defined by the exposure of phosphatidylserine - a marker for apoptosis - on the pathogen surface, is emerging as a common theme used by enveloped viruses to promote infection. Focusing on the four best described examples (vaccinia virus, dengue virus, Ebola virus and pseudotyped lentivirus), we summarize our current understanding of apoptotic mimicry as a mechanism for virus entry, binding and immune evasion. We also describe recent examples of non-enveloped viruses that use this mimicry strategy, and discuss future directions and how viral apoptotic mimicry could be targeted therapeutically.
Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Humans; Immune Evasion; Molecular Mimicry; Phagocytes; Phosphatidylserines; Receptors, Cell Surface; Virus Internalization; Viruses
PubMed: 26052667
DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro3469