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Eichwald T, da Silva LDB, Staats Pires AC, Niero L, Schnorrenberger E, Filho CC, Espíndola G, Huang WL, Guillemin GJ, Abdenur JE, Latini A. Tetrahydrobiopterin: Beyond Its Traditional Role as a Cofactor. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1037. [PMID: 37237903 PMCID: PMC10215290 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an endogenous cofactor for some enzymatic conversions of essential biomolecules, including nitric oxide, and monoamine neurotransmitters, and for the metabolism of phenylalanine and lipid esters. Over the last decade, BH4 metabolism has emerged as a promising metabolic target for negatively modulating toxic pathways that may result in cell death. Strong preclinical evidence has shown that BH4 metabolism has multiple biological roles beyond its traditional cofactor activity. We have shown that BH4 supports essential pathways, e.g., to generate energy, to enhance the antioxidant resistance of cells against stressful conditions, and to protect from sustained inflammation, among others. Therefore, BH4 should not be understood solely as an enzyme cofactor, but should instead be depicted as a cytoprotective pathway that is finely regulated by the interaction of three different metabolic pathways, thus assuring specific intracellular concentrations. Here, we bring state-of-the-art information about the dependency of mitochondrial activity upon the availability of BH4, as well as the cytoprotective pathways that are enhanced after BH4 exposure. We also bring evidence about the potential use of BH4 as a new pharmacological option for diseases in which mitochondrial disfunction has been implicated, including chronic metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and primary mitochondriopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuany Eichwald
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
- Laboratory for Energy Metabolism, Division of Metabolic Disorders, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Orange, CA 92868, USA; (W.-L.H.); (J.E.A.)
| | - Lucila de Bortoli da Silva
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
| | - Ananda Christina Staats Pires
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
- Neuroinflammation Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Laís Niero
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
| | - Erick Schnorrenberger
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
| | - Clovis Colpani Filho
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
| | - Gisele Espíndola
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
- Neuroinflammation Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Wei-Lin Huang
- Laboratory for Energy Metabolism, Division of Metabolic Disorders, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Orange, CA 92868, USA; (W.-L.H.); (J.E.A.)
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - José E. Abdenur
- Laboratory for Energy Metabolism, Division of Metabolic Disorders, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Orange, CA 92868, USA; (W.-L.H.); (J.E.A.)
| | - Alexandra Latini
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo—LABOX, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-100, SC, Brazil; (T.E.); (L.N.); (C.C.F.); (G.E.)
- Laboratory for Energy Metabolism, Division of Metabolic Disorders, CHOC Children’s Hospital, Orange, CA 92868, USA; (W.-L.H.); (J.E.A.)
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Vasquez-Vivar J, Shi Z, Tan S. Tetrahydrobiopterin in Cell Function and Death Mechanisms. Antioxid Redox Signal 2022; 37:171-183. [PMID: 34806400 PMCID: PMC9293684 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Significance: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is most well known as a required cofactor for enzymes regulating cellular redox homeostasis, aromatic amino acid metabolism, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Less well known are the effects dependent on the cofactor's availability, factors governing its synthesis and recycling, redox implications of the cofactor itself, and protein-protein interactions that underlie cell death. This review provides an understanding of the recent advances implicating BH4 in the mechanisms of cell death and suggestions of possible therapeutic interventions. Recent Advances: The levels of BH4 often reflect the sum of synthetic and recycling enzyme activities. Enhanced expression of GTP cyclohydrolase, the rate-limiting enzyme in biosynthesis, increases BH4, leading to improved cell function and survival. Pharmacologically increasing BH4 levels has similar beneficial effects, leading to enhanced production of neurotransmitters and nitric oxide or reducing oxidant levels. The GTP cyclohydrolase-BH4 pairing has been implicated in a type of cell death, ferroptosis. At the cellular level, BH4 counteracts anticancer therapies directed to enhance ferroptosis via glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity inhibition. Critical Issues: Because of the multitude of intertwined mechanisms, a clear relationship between BH4 and cell death is not well understood yet. The possibility that the cofactor directly influences cell viability has not been excluded in previous studies when modulating BH4-producing enzymes. Future Directions: The importance of cellular BH4 variations and BH4 biosynthetic enzymes to cell function and viability makes it essential to better characterize temporal changes, cofactor activity, and the influence on redox status, which in turn would help develop novel therapies. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 171-183.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette Vasquez-Vivar
- Redox Biology Program, Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Zhongjie Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Sidhartha Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University and Central Michigan University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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Vasquez-Vivar J, Shi Z, Jeong JW, Luo K, Sharma A, Thirugnanam K, Tan S. Neuronal vulnerability to fetal hypoxia-reoxygenation injury and motor deficit development relies on regional brain tetrahydrobiopterin levels. Redox Biol 2020; 29:101407. [PMID: 31926630 PMCID: PMC6928344 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertonia is pathognomonic of cerebral palsy (CP), often caused by brain injury before birth. To understand the early driving events of hypertonia, we utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of early critical brain injury in rabbit fetuses (79% term) that will predict hypertonia after birth following antenatal hypoxia-ischemia. We examined if individual variations in the tetrahydrobiopterin cofactor in the parts of the brain controlling motor function could indicate a role in specific damage to motor regions and disruption of circuit integration as an underlying mechanism for acquiring motor disorders, which has not been considered before. The rabbit model mimicked acute placental insufficiency and used uterine ischemia at a premature gestation. MRI during the time of hypoxia-ischemia was used to differentiate which individual fetal brains would become hypertonic. Four brain regions collected immediately after hypoxia-ischemia or 48 h later were analyzed in a blinded fashion. Age-matched sham-operated animals were used as controls. Changes in the reactive nitrogen species and gene expression of the tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthetic enzymes in brain regions were also studied. We found that a combination of low tetrahydrobiopterin content in the cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and thalamus brain regions, but not a unique low threshold of tetrahydrobiopterin, contributed etiologically to hypertonia. The biggest contribution was from the thalamus. Evidence for increased reactive nitrogen species was found in the cortex. By 48 h, tetrahydrobiopterin and gene expression levels in the different parts of the brain were not different between MRI stratified hypertonia and non-hypertonia groups. Sepiapterin treatment given to pregnant dams immediately after hypoxia-ischemia ameliorated hypertonia and death. We conclude that a developmental tetrahydrobiopterin variation is necessary with fetal hypoxia-ischemia and is critical for disrupting normal motor circuits that develop into hypertonia. The possible mechanistic pathway involves reactive nitrogen species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette Vasquez-Vivar
- Department of Biophysics and Redox Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Zhongjie Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jeong-Won Jeong
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kehuan Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Amit Sharma
- Neonatology Division, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Thirugnanam
- Department of Biophysics and Redox Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Sidhartha Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Neonatology Division, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Aubid NN, Liu Y, Vidal JMP, Hall VJ. Isolation and culture of porcine primary fetal progenitors and neurons from the developing dorsal telencephalon. J Vet Sci 2019; 20:e3. [PMID: 30944526 PMCID: PMC6441812 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2019.20.e3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of long-term surviving fetal cell cultures from primary cell tissue from the developing brain is important for facilitating studies investigating neural development and for modelling neural disorders and brain congenital defects. The field faces current challenges in co-culturing both progenitors and neurons long-term. Here, we culture for the first time, porcine fetal cells from the dorsal telencephalon at embryonic day (E) 50 and E60 in conditions that promoted both the survival of progenitor cells and young neurons. We applied a novel protocol designed to collect, isolate and promote survival of both progenitors and young neurons. Herein, we used a combination of low amount of fetal bovine serum, together with pro-survival factors, including basic fibroblast growth factor and retinoic acid, together with arabinofuranosylcytosine and could maintain progenitors and facilitate in vitro differentiation into calbindin 1+ neurons and reelin+ interneurons for a period of 7 days. Further improvements to the protocol that might extend the survival of the fetal primary neural cells would be beneficial. The development of new porcine fetal culture methods is of value for the field, given the pig's neuroanatomical and developmental similarities to the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niroch Nawzad Aubid
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870, Denmark
| | - Yong Liu
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870, Denmark
| | - Juan Miguel Peralvo Vidal
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870, Denmark
| | - Vanessa Jane Hall
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, DK-1870, Denmark
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Fernández-Lainez C, Ibarra-González I, Alcántara-Ortigoza MÁ, Fernández-Hernández L, Enríquez-Flores S, González-Del Ángel A, Blau N, Thöny B, Guillén-López S, Belmont-Martínez L, Ruiz-García M, Vela-Amieva M. Mutational spectrum of PTS gene and in silico pathological assessment of a novel variant in Mexico. Brain Dev 2018; 40:530-536. [PMID: 29685341 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is the cofactor for 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS); it is involved in BH4 biosynthesis and is encoded by PTS gene. Its deficiency (PTPSD) is characterized by hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and deficit in central monoamine neurotransmitters. We describe the clinical and mutational spectrum of five patients with PTPSD, from four unrelated Mexican families. All patients had symptomatic diagnosis and presented severe early neurological manifestations and HPA. METHODS Clinical and biochemical data from studied patients were recorded. Responsible PTPSD genotypes was determined by direct and bidirectional Sanger DNA sequencing of the six PTS coding exons and their exon-intron borders, and these were directly searched in the available relatives. The novel PTS missense variant [NM_3000317.2:331G > T, p.(Ala111Ser)] was subjected to in silico, to predict a possible deleterious effect. RESULTS Diminished fetal movements were perceived as a uniform characteristic in the studied group. DNA sequencing showed two known p.(Arg25∗) and p.(Val132TyrFs∗19) and the novel missense p.(Ala111Ser) PTS variants, the latter representing potentially a frequent PTPSD-responsible allele (50%, 4/8) in Mexican patients. In silico protein modeling analysis of the p.(Ala111Ser) variant revealed loss of hydrophobic interactions between the alanine and neighboring valines, suggesting that these changes in polarity may be detrimental for enzyme function, structure and/or stability. CONCLUSIONS This work contributes to the knowledge of PTPS molecular spectrum. The delayed diagnosis of these patients emphasizes the importance of considering BH4 metabolism defects in the differential diagnosis of HPA, especially for countries that are beginning their HPA newborn screening programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Fernández-Lainez
- Laboratory of Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Isabel Ibarra-González
- Nutritional Genetics Unit, Biomedical Research Institute, UNAM-National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Liliana Fernández-Hernández
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sergio Enríquez-Flores
- Division of Experimental Medicine, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ariadna González-Del Ángel
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Department of Genetics, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nenad Blau
- Dietmar-Hopp-Metabolic Center, University Children's Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beat Thöny
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Centre (CRC), University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sara Guillén-López
- Laboratory of Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Leticia Belmont-Martínez
- Laboratory of Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Matilde Ruiz-García
- Department of Neurology, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marcela Vela-Amieva
- Laboratory of Inborn Errors of Metabolism and Screening, National Institute of Pediatrics, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Gamal M, Moawad J, Rashed L, Morcos MA, Sharawy N. Possible involvement of tetrahydrobiopterin in the disturbance of redox homeostasis in sepsis - Induced brain dysfunction. Brain Res 2018; 1685:19-28. [PMID: 29428597 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential co-factor that regulates nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by nitric oxide synthases (NOS). In this study, we evaluated the effects of sepsis on BH4 level and redox status in the brain by using the rat model of sepsis-induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and examined whether BH4 and/or acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) could prevent the neuronal apoptosis and neurological changes induced by sepsis. MATERIAL AND METHOD Male albino rats were randomly and blindly divided into 8 groups: sham, sham + BH4, sham + ALC, sham +BH4+ ALC, CLP, CLP + BH4, CLP + ALC, and CLP+BH4+ ALC. We measured neurological indicators, brain levels of BH4, guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase (GTPCH), sepiapterin reductase (SR) and dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) genes expression (Essential enzymes in BH4 biosynthesis and recycling pathways). We investigated also brain redox status and both endothelial and inducible NOS expressions. RESULTS Brain of septic rats demonstrated a reduced BH4 bioavailability, downregulation of BH4 synthetic enzymes, increased production of hydrogen peroxide and impaired antioxidant enzymes activities. Treatments with BH4 and/or ALC increased BH4 level, upregulated BH4 synthetic enzymes expressions, and attenuated oxidative-induced neuronal apoptosis. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that BH4 and/or ALC might protect the brain against oxidative stress induced neuronal apoptosis by restoring bioavailability of BH4 and upregulating of BH4 synthetic enzymes in the brain during sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Gamal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jackline Moawad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Laila Rashed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mary Attia Morcos
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nivin Sharawy
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Cairo University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt.
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Shi Z, Vasquez-Vivar J, Luo K, Yan Y, Northington F, Mehrmohammadi M, Tan S. Ascending Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intrauterine Inflammation in Near-Term Rabbits Leading to Newborn Neurobehavioral Deficits. Dev Neurosci 2018; 40:534-546. [PMID: 31163416 PMCID: PMC9873358 DOI: 10.1159/000499960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chorioamnionitis from ascending bacterial infection through the endocervix is a potential risk factor for cerebral palsy. Tetrahydrobiopterin, an essential cofactor for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and amino acid hydroxylases, when augmented in the fetal brain, prevents some of the cerebral palsy-like deficits in a rabbit hypoxia-ischemia model. OBJECTIVES To study the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intrauterine inflammation in preterm gestation on motor deficits in the newborn, and whether biosynthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin or inflammatory mediators is affected in the fetal brain. METHODS Pregnant rabbits at 28 days gestation (89% term) were administered either saline or LPS into both endocervical openings. One group underwent spontaneous delivery, and neurobehavioral tests were performed at postnatal day (P) 1 and P11, with some kits being sacrificed at P1 for histological analysis. Another group underwent Cesarean section 24 h after LPS administration. Gene sequences for rabbit biosynthetic enzymes of tetra-hydrobiopterin pathways were determined and analyzed in addition to cytokines, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Exposure to 200 μg/kg/mL LPS caused a locomotion deficit and mild hypertonia at P1. By P11, most animals turned into normal-appearing kits. There was no difference in neuronal cell death in the caudate between hypertonic and nonhypertonic kits at P1 (n = 3-5 in each group). Fetal brain GTP cyclohydrolase I was increased, whereas sepiapterin reductase and 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase were decreased, 24 h after LPS administration. Neuronal NOS was also increased. Regardless of the position in the uterus or the brain region, expression of TNF-α and TGF-β was decreased, whereas that of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 was increased (n = 3-4 in each group). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study using an ascending LPS-induced intrauterine inflammation model in rabbits, showing mostly transient hypertonia and mainly locomotor deficits in the kits. Not all proinflammatory cytokines are increased in the fetal brain following LPS administration. Changes in key tetrahydro-biopterin biosynthetic enzymes possibly indicate different effects of the inflammatory insult.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjie Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | | | - Kehuan Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | | | | | - Sidhartha Tan
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
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Vasquez-Vivar J, Shi Z, Luo K, Thirugnanam K, Tan S. Tetrahydrobiopterin in antenatal brain hypoxia-ischemia-induced motor impairments and cerebral palsy. Redox Biol 2017; 13:594-599. [PMID: 28803128 PMCID: PMC5554922 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Antenatal brain hypoxia-ischemia, which occurs in cerebral palsy, is considered a significant cause of motor impairments in children. The mechanisms by which antenatal hypoxia-ischemia causes brain injury and motor deficits still need to be elucidated. Tetrahydrobiopterin is an important enzyme cofactor that is necessary to produce neurotransmitters and to maintain the redox status of the brain. A genetic deficiency of this cofactor from mutations of biosynthetic or recycling enzymes is a well-recognized factor in the development of childhood neurological disorders characterized by motor impairments, developmental delay, and encephalopathy. Experimental hypoxia-ischemia causes a decline in the availability of tetrahydrobiopterin in the immature brain. This decline coincides with the loss of brain function, suggesting this occurrence contributes to neuronal dysfunction and motor impairments. One possible mechanism linking tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency, hypoxia-ischemia, and neuronal injury is oxidative injury. Evidence of the central role of the developmental biology of tetrahydrobiopterin in response to hypoxic ischemic brain injury, especially the development of motor deficits, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette Vasquez-Vivar
- Department of Biophysics and Redox Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
| | - Zhongjie Shi
- Wayne State University School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien, Room 5177, Carls Bldg., Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Kehuan Luo
- Wayne State University School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien, Room 5177, Carls Bldg., Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Karthikeyan Thirugnanam
- Department of Biophysics and Redox Biology Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Sidhartha Tan
- Wayne State University School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien, Room 5177, Carls Bldg., Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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Williams M, Zhang Z, Nance E, Drewes JL, Lesniak WG, Singh S, Chugani DC, Rangaramanujam K, Graham DR, Kannan S. Maternal Inflammation Results in Altered Tryptophan Metabolism in Rabbit Placenta and Fetal Brain. Dev Neurosci 2017; 39:399-412. [PMID: 28490020 DOI: 10.1159/000471509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal inflammation has been linked to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders such as cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, and autism. We had previously shown that intrauterine inflammation resulted in a decrease in serotonin, one of the tryptophan metabolites, and a decrease in serotonin fibers in the sensory cortex of newborns in a rabbit model of cerebral palsy. In this study, we hypothesized that maternal inflammation results in alterations in tryptophan pathway enzymes and metabolites in the placenta and fetal brain. We found that intrauterine endotoxin administration at gestational day 28 (G28) resulted in a significant upregulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in both the placenta and fetal brain at G29 (24 h after treatment). This endotoxin-mediated IDO induction was also associated with intense microglial activation, an increase in interferon gamma expression, and increases in kynurenine and the kynurenine pathway metabolites kynurenine acid and quinolinic acid, as well as a significant decrease in 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (a precursor of serotonin) levels in the periventricular region of the fetal brain. These results indicate that maternal inflammation shunts tryptophan metabolism away from the serotonin to the kynurenine pathway, which may lead to excitotoxic injury along with impaired development of serotonin-mediated thalamocortical fibers in the newborn brain. These findings provide new targets for prevention and treatment of maternal inflammation-induced fetal and neonatal brain injury leading to neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University SOM, Baltimore, MD, USA
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