Ceramide-induced lung destruction in emphysema

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Our laboratory previously discovered a central role for ceramide in the development of emphysema. We demonstrated that ceramide is a proximal hub of amplification for apoptosis, oxidative stress, and for its own synthesis, and is both necessary and sufficient to induce airspace enlargement and functional decreases of lung elastance, fundamental characteristics of emphysema. In this application we address the novel concept that cigarette smoke (CS) exposure disrupts sphingolipid homeostasis in the lung to generate distinct acute and chronic ceramide responses, responsible for the death of structural alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells, inhibition of clearance of apoptotic cells by alveolar macrophages, and impairment of cell repair that sustain an irreversible lung destruction in emphysema. We hypothesize that CS-induced ceramides trigger alveolar cell death, impair proper removal of apoptotic bodies, and disrupt cell repair due to sequential activation of acid sphingomyelinase followed by de novo ceramide synthesis. We will test this hypothesis by using transgenic in vivo approaches complemented with pharmacological inhibition of target enzymes and by assessing structural and functional endpoints that characterize cigarette smoke-induced emphysema. Sphingolipid measurements and their effect on alveolar apoptosis and clearance of apoptotic cells will be studied by tandem mass spectrometry and intravital/time-lapse two-photon microscopy, respectively. The specific aims are: 1) To determine that the CS-activated acid sphingomyelinase triggers alveolar cell apoptosis and causes airspace enlargement in mice. 2) To establish that CS and paracellular ceramides activate the de novo pathway in alveolar macrophages causing inhibition of apoptotic body removal. 3) To elucidate if the paracrine activation of de novo ceramide synthesis causes alveolar cell apoptosis and decreased lung repair by CS. Our experimental questions and approach will address fundamental questions of emphysema pathogenesis and will provide the rationale and basis for developing a therapeutic strategy for patients with COPD.