Abstract
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors are widely expressed in the central nervous system where they are thought to regulate glia cell function. The phosphorylated version of fingolimod/FTY720 (FTY720P) is active on a broad spectrum of S1P receptors and the parent compound is currently in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Here, we aimed to identify which cell type(s) and S1P receptor(s) of the central nervous system are targeted by FTY720P. Using calcium imaging in mixed cultures from embryonic rat cortex we show that astrocytes are the major cell type responsive to FTY720P in this assay. In enriched astrocyte cultures, we detect expression of S1P1 and S1P3 receptors and demonstrate that FTY720P activates Gi protein-mediated signaling cascades. We also show that FTY720P as well as the S1P1-selective agonist SEW2871 stimulate astrocyte migration. The data indicate that FTY720P exerts its effects on astrocytes predominantly via the activation of S1P1 receptors, whereas S1P signals through both S1P1 and S1P3 receptors. We suggest that this distinct pharmacological profile of FTY720P, compared with S1P, could play a role in the therapeutic effects of FTY720 in multiple sclerosis.
MeSH terms
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2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases / metabolism
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Animals
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Astrocytes / drug effects*
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Astrocytes / physiology
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Calcium Signaling / drug effects
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Cell Movement / drug effects*
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Cell Movement / physiology
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Cell Proliferation / drug effects
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Cells, Cultured
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Cerebral Cortex / cytology
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Cyclic AMP / metabolism
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Embryo, Mammalian
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Fingolimod Hydrochloride
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
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Glutamic Acid / pharmacology
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Hippocampus / cytology
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Hippocampus / drug effects
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Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacology*
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Inositol Phosphates / metabolism
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Organ Culture Techniques
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Oxadiazoles / pharmacology
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Propylene Glycols / pharmacology*
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Rats
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Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / agonists
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Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / antagonists & inhibitors
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Receptors, Lysosphingolipid / physiology*
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Sphingosine / analogs & derivatives*
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Sphingosine / pharmacology
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Thiophenes / pharmacology
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beta-Alanine / analogs & derivatives
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beta-Alanine / pharmacology
Substances
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AUY 954
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Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Inositol Phosphates
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Oxadiazoles
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Propylene Glycols
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Receptors, Lysosphingolipid
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SEW2871
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Thiophenes
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beta-Alanine
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Glutamic Acid
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Cyclic AMP
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2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases
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Fingolimod Hydrochloride
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Sphingosine