Functional Antagonism Research Articles

Natural compounds boldine and menthol are antagonists of human 5‐HT3 receptors: implications for treating gastrointestinal disorders

Impaired 5-HT3 receptor function is likely involved in the pathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) and 5-HT3 receptor antagonists are effective treatments for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The monoterpene alcohol menthol and the aporphine alkaloid boldine combat symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases; both interact with other members of the Cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel family and may therefore also act on 5-HT3 receptors. The impact of boldine and menthol on human recombinant homomeric 5-HT3 A- and heteromeric 5-HT3 AB receptors in HEK293 cells was determined by radioligand binding, a luminescence-based Ca(2+) assay, and a membrane potential assay. 5-HT3 protein and mRNA expression was assessed in human colon tissue. Boldine and menthol inhibited the 5-HT-induced activation of 5-HT3 receptors in the low and middle micromolar range, respectively. Boldine was a competitive antagonist of both receptors being 6.5- to 10-fold more potent at 5-HT3 A- vs 5-HT3 AB receptors. Menthol non-competitively and stereoselectively inhibited both receptors: In contrast to (+)-menthol, (-)-menthol was significantly more potent toward 5-HT3 A- vs 5-HT3 AB receptors. We show co-expression of 5-HT3A and 5-HT3B subunits in the human gut epithelium, the lamina propria, the myenteric plexus, and the muscular cell layer. The demonstrated 5-HT3 inhibitory effects may be relevant for boldine's and menthol's alleviating properties on FGID and may encourage clinical studies with the compounds or the plant extracts for CINV and IBS treatment. The found receptor-discriminative properties make boldine and (-)-menthol to potentially useful tools for analyzing structural differences between these receptor subtypes.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) displays sustained S1P1 receptor agonism and signaling through S1P lyase-dependent receptor recycling

The sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) type 1 receptor (S1P1R) is a novel therapeutic target in lymphocyte-mediated autoimmune diseases. S1P1 receptor desensitization caused by synthetic S1P1 receptor agonists prevents T-lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid organs into the circulation. The selective S1P1 receptor agonist ponesimod, which is in development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, efficiently reduces peripheral lymphocyte counts and displays efficacy in animal models of autoimmune disease. Using ponesimod and the natural ligand S1P, we investigated the molecular mechanisms leading to different signaling, desensitization and trafficking behavior of S1P1 receptors. In recombinant S1P1 receptor-expressing cells, ponesimod and S1P triggered Gαi protein-mediated signaling and β-arrestin recruitment with comparable potency and efficiency, but only ponesimod efficiently induced intracellular receptor accumulation. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), ponesimod and S1P triggered translocation of the endogenous S1P1 receptor to the Golgi compartment. However, only ponesimod treatment caused efficient surface receptor depletion, receptor accumulation in the Golgi and degradation. Impedance measurements in HUVEC showed that ponesimod induced only short-lived Gαi protein-mediated signaling followed by resistance to further stimulation, whereas S1P induced sustained Gαi protein-mediated signaling without desensitization. Inhibition of S1P lyase activity in HUVEC rendered S1P an efficient S1P1 receptor internalizing compound and abrogated S1P-mediated sustained signaling. This suggests that S1P lyase – by facilitating S1P1 receptor recycling – is essential for S1P-mediated sustained signaling, and that synthetic agonists are functional antagonists because they are not S1P lyase substrates.

Lactam and oxazolidinone derived potent 5-hydroxytryptamine 6 receptor antagonists

Lactam and oxazolidinone derived potent 5-hydroxytryptamine 6 (5-HT6) receptor antagonists have been disclosed. One potent member from the lactam series, racemic compound 14 (Ki of 2.6nM in binding assay, IC50 of 15nM in functional cAMP antagonism assay) was separated into corresponding enantiomers that displayed the effect of chirality on binding potency (Ki of 1.6nM and 3000nM, respectively). The potent enantiomer displayed an IC50 of 8nM in cAMP antagonism assay, selectivity against a number of family members as well as brain permeability in rats after 6h post oral administration.

(341) Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 antagonism prevents morphine-induced antinociceptive tolerance and hyperalgesia

The clinical utility of morphine is hampered by the development of antinociceptive tolerance and hyperalgesia. We have reported these conditions arise in part from sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling and ensuing nitroxidative and neuroinflammatory processes in the spinal cord of tolerant rats. We now provide support for pharmacological targeting the S1P-S1PR1 signaling pathway as a viable option for the prevention of morphine antinociceptive tolerance and hyperalgesia. Administration of clinically relevant selective S1PR1 antagonists or functional S1PR1 antagonists, in a dose-dependent manner, effectively prevents the development of tolerance and hyperalgesia with chronic morphine administration in normal rats or rats with neuropathic pain.

No Differences Observed among Multiple Clinical S1P1 Receptor Agonists (Functional Antagonists) in S1P1 Receptor Down-regulation and Degradation

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive metabolite with pleiotropic effects on multiple cellular processes in health and disease. Responses elicited by S1P are a result of binding to five specific G-protein–coupled receptors. We have developed multiple assays to systematically study the downstream signaling of these receptors, including early events such as direct receptor activation (GTPγS) as well as more distal events such as S1P1 receptor degradation. Employing such assays, we have characterized and compared multiple S1P1 agonists that are in clinical development including FTY720, BAF312, CS-0777, and other molecules from the S1P1 patent literature. Our parallel assessment has allowed us to compare their potency against S1P1, their selectivity against the four other S1P receptors, as well as species cross-reactivity. We note that all of the compounds studied signal in an identical manner through S1P1, leading to receptor degradation.

Heat Shock Protein 70 Modulates Influenza A Virus Polymerase Activity

The role of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in virus replication has been discussed for many viruses. The known suppressive role of Hsp70 in influenza virus replication is based on studies conducted in cells with various Hsp70 expression levels. In this study, we determined the role of Hsp70 in influenza virus replication in HeLa and HEK293T cells, which express Hsp70 constitutively. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies revealed that Hsp70 interacted with PB2 or PB1 monomers and PB2/PB1 heterodimer but not with the PB1/PA heterodimer or PB2/PB1/PA heterotrimer and translocated into the nucleus with PB2 monomers or PB2/PB1 heterodimers. Knocking down Hsp70 resulted in reduced virus transcription and replication activities. Reporter gene assay, immunofluorescence assay, and Western blot analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions from infected cells demonstrated that the increase in viral polymerase activity during the heat shock phase was accompanied with an increase in Hsp70 and viral polymerases levels in the nuclei, where influenza virus replication takes place, whereas a reduction in viral polymerase activity was accompanied with an increase in cytoplasmic relocation of Hsp70 along with viral polymerases. Moreover, significantly higher levels of viral genomic RNA (vRNA) were observed during the heat shock phase than during the recovery phase. Overall, for the first time, these findings suggest that Hsp70 may act as a chaperone for influenza virus polymerase, and the modulatory effect of Hsp70 appears to be a sequel of shuttling of Hsp70 between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments.

Alkylsulfone-containing trisubstituted cyclohexanes as potent and bioavailable chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) antagonists

We describe novel alkylsulfones as potent CCR2 antagonists with reduced hERG channel activity and improved pharmacokinetics over our previously described antagonists. Several of these new alkylsulfones have a profile that includes functional antagonism of CCR2, in vitro microsomal stability, and oral bioavailability. With this improved profile, we demonstrate that two of these antagonists, 2 and 12, are orally efficacious in an animal model of inflammatory recruitment.

Acamprosate: An Alcoholism Treatment That May Not Be What We Thought

Acamprosate: An Alcoholism Treatment That May Not Be What We Thought

Structure-Based Design, Synthesis and Validation of CD4-Mimetic Small Molecule Inhibitors of HIV-1 Entry: Conversion of a Viral Entry Agonist to an Antagonist

ConspectusThis Account provides an overview of a multidisciplinary consortium focused on structure-based strategies to devise small molecule antagonists of HIV-1 entry into human T-cells, which if successful would hold considerable promise for the development of prophylactic modalities to prevent HIV transmission and thereby alter the course of the AIDS pandemic.Entry of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into target T-cells entails an interaction between CD4 on the host T-cell and gp120, a component of the trimeric envelope glycoprotein spike on the virion surface. The resultant interaction initiates a series of conformational changes within the envelope spike that permits binding to a chemokine receptor, formation of the gp41 fusion complex, and cell entry. A hydrophobic cavity at the CD4–gp120 interface, defined by X-ray crystallography, provided an initial site for small molecule antagonist design. This site however has evolved to facilitate viral entry. As such, the binding of prospective small molecule inhibitors within this gp120 cavity can inadvertently trigger an allosteric entry signal.Structural characterization of the CD4–gp120 interface, which provided the foundation for small molecule structure-based inhibitor design, will be presented first. An integrated approach combining biochemical, virological, structural, computational, and synthetic studies, along with a detailed analysis of ligand binding energetics, revealed that modestly active small molecule inhibitors of HIV entry can also promote viral entry into cells lacking the CD4 receptor protein; these competitive inhibitors were termed small molecule CD4 mimetics. Related congeners were subsequently identified with both improved binding affinity and more potent viral entry inhibition. Further assessment of the affinity-enhanced small molecule CD4 mimetics demonstrated that premature initiation of conformational change within the viral envelope spike, prior to cell encounter, can lead to irreversible deactivation of viral entry machinery. Related congeners, which bind the same gp120 site, possess different propensities to elicit the allosteric response that underlies the undesired enhancement of CD4-independent viral entry.Subsequently, key hotspots in the CD4–gp120 interface were categorized using mutagenesis and isothermal titration calorimetry according to the capacity to increase binding affinity without triggering the allosteric signal. This analysis, combined with cocrystal structures of small molecule viral entry agonists with gp120, led to the development of fully functional antagonists of HIV-1 entry. Additional structure-based design exploiting two hotspots followed by synthesis has now yielded low micromolar inhibitors of viral entry.

Promising neuroprotective effects of the angiotensin‐(1–7)–angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2–Mas axis in stroke

Promising neuroprotective effects of the angiotensin‐(1–7)–angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2–Mas axis in stroke

Monovalent mannose-based DC-SIGN antagonists: Targeting the hydrophobic groove of the receptor

Dendritic cell-specific, intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) is a C-type lectin expressed specifically on dendritic cells. It is a primary site for recognition and binding of various pathogens and thus a promising therapeutic target for inhibition of pathogen entry and subsequent prevention of immune defense cell infection. We report the design and synthesis of d-mannose-based DC-SIGN antagonists bearing diaryl substituted 1,3-diaminopropanol or glycerol moieties incorporated to target the hydrophobic groove of the receptor. The designed glycomimetics were evaluated by in vitro assay of the isolated DC-SIGN extracellular domain for their ability to compete with HIV-1 gp120 for binding to the DC-SIGN carbohydrate recognition domain. Compounds 14d and 14e, that display IC50 values of 40 μM and 50 μM, are among the most potent monovalent DC-SIGN antagonists reported. The antagonistic effect of all the synthesized compounds was further evaluated by a one-point in vitro assay that measures DC adhesion. Compounds 14d, 14e, 18d and 18e were shown to act as functional antagonists of DC-SIGN-mediated DC adhesion. The binding mode of 14d was also studied by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation, which revealed flexibility of 14d in the binding site and provides a basis for further optimization.

Discovery of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a): Histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist demonstrating potent cognitive enhancing and wake promoting activity

A series of fused cyclopropyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-one (3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one) phenoxypiperidine analogs was designed and synthesized, leading to the identification of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a) as a second-generation pyridazin-3-one H3R antagonist. Compound R,S-4a was a potent H3R functional antagonist in vivo in the rat dipsogenia model, demonstrated potent wake activity in the rat EEG/EMG model, and enhanced short-term memory in the rat social recognition memory model at doses as low as 0.03–0.3mg/kg po.

Unique pharmacology of heteromeric α7β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes

α7β2 is a novel type of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor shown to be uniquely expressed in cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain and in hippocampal interneurons. We have compared the pharmacological properties of recombinant homomeric α7 and heteromeric α7β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in order to reveal the pharmacological consequences of β2 subunit incorporation into the pentamer. The non-selective agonist epibatidine did not distinguish α7β2 from α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, but three other non-selective agonists (nicotine, cytisine and varenicline) were less efficacious on α7β2 than on α7. A more dramatic change in efficacy was seen with eight different selective α7 agonists. Because of their very low intrinsic efficacy, some compounds became very efficacious functional antagonists at α7β2 receptors. Three α4β2 nicotinic receptor selective agonists that were not active on α7, were also inactive on α7β2, and dihydro-β-erythroidine, an α4β2 receptor-preferring antagonist, inhibited α7 and α7β2 in a similar manner. These results reveal significant effects of β2 incorporation in determining the relative efficacy of several non-selective and α7 selective agonists, and also show that incorporation of β2 subunits does not cause a shift to a more “β2-like” pharmacology of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

Prostaglandin E2 inhibits in‐vitro mineral deposition by human periodontal ligament cells via modulating the expression of TWIST1 and RUNX2

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to be able to influence both bone formation and resorption. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PGE2 on the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament (HPDL) cells. HPDL cells were cultured with 0.001-1μm PGE2 in osteogenic medium. In-vitro mineral deposition was determined by Alizarin Red S staining, and gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. PGE2 inhibited in-vitro mineral deposition by HPDL cells in a dose-dependent manner. PCR analyses showed that PGE2 upregulated the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), but had no effect on osteocalcin expression. Upregulation of TWIST-related protein1 (TWIST1), a functional antagonist of RUNX2, was also observed. In addition, increased levels of RUNX2 and TWIST1 proteins, induced by PGE2, were detected by western blot analysis. Using a chemical activator of E prostanoid (EP) receptors as well as small interfering RNA against an EP receptor, it was shown that PGE2 regulated RUNX2 and TWIST1 via the EP2 receptor. The role of protein kinase A in the inductive effect of PGE2 was also demonstrated. The results of this study revealed that PGE2 modulates the osteogenic differentiation of HPDL cells via regulating the expression of RUNX2 and TWIST1. The results suggest a possible role for PGE2 in regulating the homeostasis of periodontal ligament tissue.

Role of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and effects of fingolimod, an S1P receptor 1 functional antagonist in lymphocyte circulation and autoimmune diseases

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), a multi-functional phospholipid mediator, is generated from sphingosine by sphingosine kinases and binds to five known G protein-coupled S1P receptors (S1P₁, S1P₂, S1P₃, S1P₄, and S1P₅). It is widely accepted that S1P receptor 1 (S1P₁) plays an essential role in lymphocyte egress from the secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) and thymus, because lymphocyte egress from these organs to periphery is at extremely low levels in mice lacking lymphocytic S1P₁. Fingolimod hydrochloride (FTY720) is a first-in-class, orally active S1P₁ functional antagonist which was discovered by chemical modification of a natural product, myriocin. Since FTY720 has a structure closely related to sphingosine, the phosphorylated FTY720 (FTY720-P) is converted by sphingosine kinases and binds 4 types of S1P receptors. FTY720-P strongly induces down-regulation of S1P₁ by internalization and degradation of this receptor and acts as a functional antagonist at S1P₁. Consequently, FTY720 inhibits S1P₁-dependent lymphocyte egress from the SLO and thymus to reduce circulating lymphocytes including autoreactive Th17 cells, and is highly effective in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). In relapsing remitting MS patients, oral FTY720 shows a superior efficacy when compared to intramuscular interferon-β-1a. Based on these data, it is presumed that modulation of the S1P-S1P₁ axis provides an effective therapy for autoimmune diseases including MS.

HIV Cell Fusion Assay: Phenotypic Screening Tool for the Identification of HIV Entry Inhibitors via CXCR4

The health and disease-related biology of the CXCR4 chemokine receptor presents the challenge of finding a small molecule that can bind CXCR4 and block T-cell tropic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cell entry, while preserving the ability of CXCR4 to respond to its native ligand, CXCL12. HIV entry into the host cell involves the interaction of the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120 binding to CD4, followed by a rearrangement in gp120, and subsequent interaction with the chemokine receptor CXCR4 or CCR5. These initial events can be re-created in a cell fusion assay that represents a surrogate system, mimicking the early stages of viral entry via these host cell receptors. In the current study, a T-tropic HIV cell fusion assay was established using U2OS cells expressing the envelope glycoprotein gp160 from the T-tropic HIV NL4-3 and HeLa cells expressing CD4 and CXCR4. Detection of the cell fusion event was based on a Gal4/VP16-activated β-lactamase signal and was measured by automated microscopy or laser scanning plate cytometry. Changes in morphology associated with cell fusion were combined with β-lactamase activity to generate results with robust assay statistics in both 384-well and 1536-well plates. Compounds were subsequently characterized by CXCR4 signaling assays to eliminate functional antagonists and allow the identification of a function-sparing HIV entry inhibitor.

Sphingosine-1 phosphate and central nervous system.

The development of fingolimod, an unselective functional antagonist of the interactions between sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) and sphingosine 1 phosphate receptors (S1PRs), as the first oral therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) has been a milestone. The parallel intensive research on the role of S1P, sphingosine kinases, and the five known S1PRs, their tissue distribution and expression in physiological and pathological conditions have led to a wide range of interesting findings. The initial focus of this research in the context of developing fingolimod as a treatment of MS has been on its immunological effects. The wide distribution and important roles of sphingosine, its metabolites, and their receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) in general, in myelin, and in all cell types of this organ have spurred interest to examine S1P and its five receptors in the brain as well. The present review will concentrate on the latter area and give a brief overview of what is known about S1P/S1PR interactions in the CNS in physiological and pathological conditions.

Binding kinetics differentiates functional antagonism of orexin‐2 receptor ligands

Orexin receptor antagonism represents a novel approach for the treatment of insomnia that directly targets sleep/wake regulation. Several such compounds have entered into clinical development, including the dual orexin receptor antagonists, suvorexant and almorexant. In this study, we have used equilibrium and kinetic binding studies with the orexin-2 (OX₂) selective antagonist radioligand, [³H]-EMPA, to profile several orexin receptor antagonists. Furthermore, selected compounds were studied in cell-based assays of inositol phosphate accumulation and ERK-1/2 phosphorylation in CHO cells stably expressing the OX2 receptor that employ different agonist incubation times (30 and 5 min, respectively). EMPA, suvorexant, almorexant and TCS-OX-29 all bind to the OX₂ receptor with moderate to high affinity (pk(I) values ≥ 7.5), whereas the primarily OX1 selective antagonists SB-334867 and SB-408124 displayed low affinity (pK(I) values ca. 6). Competition kinetic analysis showed that the compounds displayed a range of dissociation rates from very fast (TCS-OX2-29, k(off) = 0.22 min⁻¹) to very slow (almorexant, k(off) = 0.005 min⁻¹). Notably, there was a clear correlation between association rate and affinity. In the cell-based assays, fast-offset antagonists EMPA and TCS-OX2-29 displayed surmountable antagonism of orexin-A agonist activity. However, both suvorexant and particularly almorexant cause concentration-dependent depression in the maximal orexin-A response, a profile that is more evident with a shorter agonist incubation time. Analysis according to a hemi-equilibrium model suggests that antagonist dissociation is slower in a cellular system than in membrane binding; under these conditions, almorexant effectively acts as a pseudo-irreversible antagonist.

S1P lyase in thymic perivascular spaces promotes egress of mature thymocytes via up-regulation of S1P receptor 1

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and S1P receptor 1 (S1P1) play an important role in the egress of mature CD4 or CD8 single-positive (SP) thymocytes from the thymus. Fingolimod hydrochloride (FTY720), an S1P1 functional antagonist, induced significant accumulation of CD62L(high)CD69(low) mature SP thymocytes in the thymic medulla. Immunohistochemical staining using anti-S1P1 antibody revealed that S1P1 is predominantly expressed on thymocytes in the thymic medulla and is strongly down-regulated even at 3h after FTY720 administration. 2-Acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI), an S1P lyase inhibitor, also induced accumulation of mature SP thymocytes in the thymic medulla with an enlargement of the perivascular spaces (PVS). At 6h after THI administration, S1P1-expressing thymocytes reduced partially as if to form clusters and hardly existed in the proximity of CD31-expressing blood vessels in the thymic medulla, suggesting S1P lyase expression in the cells constructing thymic medullary PVS. To determine the cells expressing S1P lyase in the thymus, we newly established a mAb (YK19-2) specific for mouse S1P lyase. Immunohistochemical staining with YK19-2 revealed that S1P lyase is predominantly expressed in non-lymphoid thymic stromal cells in the thymic medulla. In the thymic medullary PVS, S1P lyase was expressed in ER-TR7-positive cells (reticular fibroblasts and pericytes) and CD31-positive vascular endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that S1P lyase expressed in the thymic medullary PVS keeps the tissue S1P concentration low around the vessels and promotes thymic egress via up-regulation of S1P1.

Abstract P2-05-06: Does the lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate have a role in obesity-related cancer progression?

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Obesity, which is the number one health risk in US ranked by the CDC, is an established independent prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. While the link between obesity and elevated breast cancer mortality is well known, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. The pleiotropic bioactive lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has emerged as a key regulatory molecule in cancer progression and inflammation. S1P is generated by two sphingosine kinases, SphK1 and SphK2, and exerts its functions by binding to specific G protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1-5). We have recently shown that SphK1, but not SphK2, produces S1P that is exported from breast cancer cells, mediated by the ATP-binding cassette transporter, ABCC1. Furthermore, we discovered that another S1P transporter, Spns2, is important for the lymphatic network formation in the LNs. FTY720, which after phosphorylation is a S1PR1 functional antagonist, was recently approved by FDA for multiple sclerosis. FTY720 also has been suggested to have some anti-cancer actions. Our hypothesis is that obesity up-regulates SphK1, which produces more S1P; the elevated levels of S1P in both tumor and its microenvironment stimulate breast cancer progression. FTY720 is expected to disrupt the SphK1/S1P/S1PR1 axis, which is strengthened by obesity, and to reduce cancer metastasis and prolong survival. We tested our hypothesis by utilizing animal models of breast cancer with obesity treated with FTY720. METHODS: We utilized two different syngeneic breast cancer mouse models: 4T1-luc2 cells in BALB/c mice and E0771 cells in C57Bl/6 mice, both inoculated into mammary fat pads of mice fed with normal or high fat diet. FTY720 was given orally. Western blot, QPCR and LC-ESI-MS/MS assays were used. RESULTS: We observed that breast tumors in obese animals expressed higher levels of SphK1 and S1P transporters, such as ABCC1 and Spns2, as compared to animals on a normal diet. The levels of S1P in the plasma of obese mice were also elevated, which appears to be a consequence of the higher production of S1P by SphK1 in the tumor and its microenvironment. Importantly, tumor progression in both models was suppressed significantly by administration of FTY720. Interestingly, the cancer progression was suppressed more efficiently in the obese mice than the lean mice. Further, LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis showed that FTY720 suppressed S1P levels not only in the blood, but also in the tumor interstitial fluid. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the S1P axis is strengthened by obesity, and has a role in cancer progression. Targeting the S1P axis with FTY720 may be useful for treating breast cancer in individuals with obesity. M.N. is a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellow. This work was supported by NIH grants R37GM043880, R01CA61774 (to S.S.) and R01CA160688 (to K.T.). Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-05-06.