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Zhang J, Liu Y, Zhi X, Xu L, Tao J, Cui D, Liu TF. Tryptophan catabolism via the kynurenine pathway regulates infection and inflammation: from mechanisms to biomarkers and therapies. Inflamm Res 2024; 73:979-996. [PMID: 38592457 DOI: 10.1007/s00011-024-01878-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND L-Tryptophan (L-Trp), an essential amino acid, is the only amino acid whose level is regulated specifically by immune signals. Most proportions of Trp are catabolized via the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway (KP) which has evolved to align the food availability and environmental stimulation with the host pathophysiology and behavior. Especially, the KP plays an indispensable role in balancing the immune activation and tolerance in response to pathogens. SCOPE OF REVIEW In this review, we elucidate the underlying immunological regulatory network of Trp and its KP-dependent catabolites in the pathophysiological conditions by participating in multiple signaling pathways. Furthermore, the KP-based regulatory roles, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies in pathologically immune disorders are summarized covering from acute to chronic infection and inflammation. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The immunosuppressive effects dominate the functions of KP induced-Trp depletion and KP-produced metabolites during infection and inflammation. However, the extending minor branches from the KP are not confined to the immune tolerance, instead they go forward to various functions according to the specific condition. Nevertheless, persistent efforts should be made before the clinical use of KP-based strategies to monitor and cure infectious and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingpu Zhang
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Highway, Shanghai, 201508, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanlei Liu
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Zhi
- Shanghai Institute of Virology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 227 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Xu
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Highway, Shanghai, 201508, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Tao
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Highway, Shanghai, 201508, People's Republic of China
| | - Daxiang Cui
- Institute of Nano Biomedicine and Engineering, Department of Instrument Science and Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Tie Fu Liu
- Scientific Research Center, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, 2901 Caolang Highway, Shanghai, 201508, People's Republic of China.
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Zhao X, Wang S, Du T, Jiang Y, Zhao Y, Ma Y, Shen D, Shen Y, Ma J. Demystifying the landscape of endometrial immune microenvironment in luteal-phase from cuprotosis: Implications for the mechanism and treatment of RPL. Gene 2024; 903:148191. [PMID: 38253297 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adaptive changes in the endometrial immune microenvironment during the luteal phase are essential for pregnancy, and their abnormalities are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Nevertheless, the specific mechanism is still unknown. Cuprotosis, an innovatively discovered type of programmed cell death, provides us with a pioneering perspective to decipher the landscape of luteal-phase endometrial immune microenvironment in RPL. This study aimed to analyze the immune landscape of luteal-phase endometrial microenvironment in RPL and explore the association of cuprotosis with it through integrative bioinformatics analysis. METHODS The microarrays involving the luteal phase endometrial tissue of RPL were obtained from the GEO database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of RPL were screened and key modules were detected by WGCNA. GO, KEGG, and GSEA immune enrichment analyses were performed on the DEGs in the most relevant modules to RPL. Then, the endometrial immune microenvironment landscape of RPL was analyzed, including immune infiltration analysis and correlation analysis between immune cells or immune functions. The interaction of cuprotosis-related genes (CRGs), the expression level between groups, the immune localization and their correlation with immune cells and immune function were analyzed. LASSO regression and Nomogram evaluated the diagnostic value of immune-related CRGS in RPL. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on the RPL signature CRGs. And RPL samples were grouped according to the expression of 7 RPL signature CRGs through unsupervised clustering analysis. After that, we analyzed the expression level of CRGs and immune infiltration, as well as performed immune function enrichment analysis in subtypes. In addition, we also screened potential drugs that might act on CRGs to improve the pathological mechanism of RPL. RESULTS In this study, we uncovered that DEGs and genes in key modules derived from weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were involved in immune regulation. And the immune infiltration landscape of RPL was significantly different from healthy controls. Furthermore, six hub genes were screened from CRGs based on Cytohubba, and their expression profilings were verified in RPL and normal mouse samples. Besides, seven CRGs closely associated with the immune regulation of RPL were identified by Spearman correlation analysis, including SLC31A1, LIAS, DLD, DLAT, DBT, ATP7B, and ATP7A, named as immune-related CRGs. Furthermore, three subgroups clustered according to these seven genes showed significant differences in immune landscape, suggesting a remarkable effect of CRGs on immune regulation. Last but not least, we analyzed the regulation network of transcription factors, miRNAs, and CRGs, and screened potential compounds for the treatment of RPL by targeting CRGs. CONCLUSIONS The abnormal endometrial immune microenvironment in the luteal phase was associated with the pathomechanism of RPL, and cuprotosis was closely involved in the immune microenvironment in the luteal phase endometrium of RPL. Collectively, this study revealed the potential contribution of CRGs to the pathogenesis of RPL, providing a novel breakthroughs in insights into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of RPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxuan Zhao
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sihui Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Du
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuepeng Jiang
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- The First Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yiming Ma
- Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
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Lewis EL, Reichenberger ER, Anton L, Gonzalez MV, Taylor DM, Porrett PM, Elovitz MA. Regulatory T cell adoptive transfer alters uterine immune populations, increasing a novel MHC-II low macrophage associated with healthy pregnancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1256453. [PMID: 37901247 PMCID: PMC10611509 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1256453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) - fetal loss after 20 weeks - affects 6 pregnancies per 1,000 live births in the United States, and the majority are of unknown etiology. Maternal systemic regulatory T cell (Treg) deficits have been implicated in fetal loss, but whether mucosal immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface contribute to fetal loss is under-explored. We hypothesized that the immune cell composition and function of the uterine mucosa would contribute to the pathogenesis of IUFD. To investigate local immune mechanisms of IUFD, we used the CBA mouse strain, which naturally has mid-late gestation fetal loss. We performed a Treg adoptive transfer and interrogated both pregnancy outcomes and the impact of systemic maternal Tregs on mucosal immune populations at the maternal-fetal interface. Treg transfer prevented fetal loss and increased an MHC-IIlow population of uterine macrophages. Single-cell RNA-sequencing was utilized to precisely evaluate the impact of systemic Tregs on uterine myeloid populations. A population of C1q+, Trem2+, MHC-IIlow uterine macrophages were increased in Treg-recipient mice. The transcriptional signature of this novel uterine macrophage subtype is enriched in multiple studies of human healthy decidual macrophages, suggesting a conserved role for these macrophages in preventing fetal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Lewis
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erin R. Reichenberger
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lauren Anton
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael V. Gonzalez
- Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Deanne M. Taylor
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Paige M. Porrett
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michal A. Elovitz
- Women’s Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Murakami Y, Imamura Y, Kasahara Y, Yoshida C, Momono Y, Fang K, Sakai D, Konishi Y, Nishiyama T. Maternal Inflammation with Elevated Kynurenine Metabolites Is Related to the Risk of Abnormal Brain Development and Behavioral Changes in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071087. [PMID: 37048160 PMCID: PMC10093447 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies show that genetic and environmental factors contribute to the onset and progression of neurodevelopmental disorders. Maternal immune activation (MIA) during gestation is considered one of the major environmental factors driving this process. The kynurenine pathway (KP) is a major route of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (Trp) catabolism in mammalian cells. Activation of the KP following neuro-inflammation can generate various endogenous neuroactive metabolites that may impact brain functions and behaviors. Additionally, neurotoxic metabolites and excitotoxicity cause long-term changes in the trophic support, glutamatergic system, and synaptic function following KP activation. Therefore, investigating the role of KP metabolites during neurodevelopment will likely promote further understanding of additional pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this review, we describe the changes in KP metabolism in the brain during pregnancy and represent how maternal inflammation and genetic factors influence the KP during development. We overview the patients with ASD clinical data and animal models designed to verify the role of perinatal KP elevation in long-lasting biochemical, neuropathological, and behavioral deficits later in life. Our review will help shed light on new therapeutic strategies and interventions targeting the KP for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Murakami
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata 573-1010, Japan
| | - Yukio Imamura
- Department of Architecture and Architectual Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8530, Japan
- Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Kasahara
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Chihiro Yoshida
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yuta Momono
- Department of Maternal and Fetal Therapeutics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Ke Fang
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata 573-1010, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sakai
- Department of Biology, Kanazawa Medical University, Kanazawa 920-0293, Japan
| | - Yukuo Konishi
- Center for Baby Science, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe 619-0225, Japan
- Healthcare and Medical Data Multi-Level Integration Platform Group, RIKEN Medical Sciences Innovation Hub Program, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Toshimasa Nishiyama
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata 573-1010, Japan
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Zhang D, Yu Y, Duan T, Zhou Q. The role of macrophages in reproductive-related diseases. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11686. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Reed JM, Spinelli P, Falcone S, He M, Goeke CM, Susiarjo M. Evaluating the Effects of BPA and TBBPA Exposure on Pregnancy Loss and Maternal-Fetal Immune Cells in Mice. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2022; 130:37010. [PMID: 35343813 PMCID: PMC8959013 DOI: 10.1289/ehp10640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been linked to miscarriages and pregnancy complications in humans. In contrast, the potential reproductive toxicity of BPA analogs, including tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), is understudied. Furthermore, although environmental exposure has been linked to altered immune mediators, the effects of BPA and TBBPA on maternal-fetal immune tolerance during pregnancy have not been studied. The present study investigated whether exposure resulted in higher rates of pregnancy loss in mice, lower number of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and lower indoleamine 2,3 deoxygenase 1 (Ido1) expression, which provided evidence for mechanisms related to immune tolerance in pregnancy. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the effects of BPA and TBBPA exposure on pregnancy loss in mice and to study the percentage and number of Tregs and Ido1 expression and DNA methylation. METHODS Analysis of fetal resorption and quantification of maternal and fetal immune cells by flow cytometry were performed in allogeneic and syngeneic pregnancies. Ido1 mRNA and protein expression, and DNA methylation in placentas from control and BPA- and TBBPA-exposed mice were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and bisulfite sequencing analyses. RESULTS BPA and TBBPA exposure resulted in higher rates of hemorrhaging in early allogeneic, but not syngeneic, conceptuses. In allogeneic pregnancies, BPA and TBBPA exposure was associated with higher fetal resorption rates and lower maternal Treg number. Importantly, these differences were associated with lower IDO1 protein expression in trophoblast giant cells and higher mean percentage Ido1 DNA methylation in embryonic day 9.5 placentas from BPA- and TBBPA-exposed mice. DISCUSSION BPA- and TBBPA-induced pregnancy loss in mice was associated with perturbed IDO1-dependent maternal immune tolerance. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10640.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine M. Reed
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Philip Spinelli
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sierra Falcone
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Calla M. Goeke
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Martha Susiarjo
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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