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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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2
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Li D, Yu S, Long Y, Shi A, Deng J, Ma Y, Wen J, Li X, Liu S, Zhang Y, Wan J, Li N, Ao R. Tryptophan metabolism: Mechanism-oriented therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Front Immunol 2022; 13:985378. [PMID: 36159806 PMCID: PMC9496178 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.985378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological and psychiatric disorders are a category of chronic diseases that are widespread and pose serious mental and physical health problems for patients. The substrates, products, and enzymes of Tryptophan metabolism all contribute to the development of neurological and psychiatric disorders. This paper deals with three metabolic pathways of tryptophan that produce a series of metabolites called tryptophan Catabolics (TRYCATs). These metabolites are involved in pathological processes such as excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage and are closely associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Here, we review the elements that affect how tryptophan metabolism is regulated, including inflammation and stress, exercise, vitamins, minerals, diet and gut microbes, glucocorticoids, and aging, as well as the downstream regulatory effects of tryptophan metabolism, including the regulation of glutamate (Glu), immunity, G-protein coupled receptor 35 (Gpr35), nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and dopamine (DA). In order to advance the general understanding of tryptophan metabolism in neurological and psychiatric disorders, this paper also summarizes the current situation and effective drugs of tryptophan metabolism in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders and considers its future research prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Long
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ai Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Songyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinyan Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Nan Li, ; Rui Ao,
| | - Rui Ao
- Oncology Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Nan Li, ; Rui Ao,
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3
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Guan X, Xu J, Xiu M, Li X, Liu H, Wu F. Kynurenine pathway metabolites and therapeutic response to olanzapine in female patients with schizophrenia: A longitudinal study. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:1539-1546. [PMID: 35769008 PMCID: PMC9437236 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM A metabolomics approach has recently been used to identify metabolites associated with response to antipsychotic treatment. This study was designed to identify the predictive biomarkers of response to olanzapine monotherapy using a metabolomics-based strategy. METHODS Twenty-five first-episode and drug-naïve female patients with schizophrenia were recruited and treated with olanzapine for 4 weeks. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) at baseline and 4-week follow-up. RESULTS Positive subscore, general psychopathology subscore, and PANSS total score were significantly decreased after treatment. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS)-based metabolomics approach identified 72 differential metabolites after treatment. In addition, the baseline levels of methyl n-formylanthranilate (MNFT) were correlated with the rate of reduction in the positive subscore or PANSS total score. However, increase in MNFT after treatment was not associated with the rate of reduction in the PANSS total score or its subscores. Subsequent regression analysis revealed that the baseline MNFT levels predicted the treatment outcomes after olanzapine monotherapy for 4 weeks in patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS Our study results suggest that the baseline MNFT levels in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism may be predictive of the treatment response to olanzapine in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoni Guan
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Qingdao Mental Health Center, Qingdao Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Meihong Xiu
- Peking University HuiLongGuan Clinical Medical School, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xirong Li
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Haixia Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Shandong Mental Health Center, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fengchun Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Translational Medicine of Mental Disorders, Guangzhou, China
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Liu Y, Fu H, Wang T. Neuroinflammation in perioperative neurocognitive disorders: From bench to the bedside. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:484-496. [PMID: 34990087 PMCID: PMC8928922 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PNDs) are one of the most common complications in elderly patients characterized by various forms of cognitive decline after anesthesia and surgery. Although the etiology for PNDs remained unclear, neuroinflammation has been characterized as one of the major causes, especially in the elderly patients. The activation of glial cells including microglia and astrocytes plays a significant role in the inflammatory responses in central nerve system (CNS). Although carefully designed, clinical studies on PNDs showed controversial results. Meanwhile, preclinical studies provided evidence from various levels, including behavior performance, protein levels, and gene expression. In this review, we summarize high‐quality studies and recent advances from both clinical and preclinical studies and provide a broad view from the onset of PNDs to its potential therapeutic targets. Future studies are needed to investigate the signaling pathways in PNDs for prevention and treatment, as well as the relationship of PNDs and future neurocognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huiqun Fu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianlong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Wisłowska-Stanek A, Kołosowska K, Maciejak P. Neurobiological Basis of Increased Risk for Suicidal Behaviour. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102519. [PMID: 34685499 PMCID: PMC8534256 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 700,000 people die per year due to suicide. Suicide risk factors include a previous suicide attempt and psychiatric disorders. The highest mortality rate in suicide worldwide is due to depression. Current evidence suggests that suicide etiopathogenesis is associated with neuroinflammation that activates the kynurenine pathway and causes subsequent serotonin depletion and stimulation of glutamate neurotransmission. These changes are accompanied by decreased BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels in the brain, which is often linked to impaired neuroplasticity and cognitive deficits. Most suicidal patients have a hyperactive hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Epigenetic mechanisms control the above-mentioned neurobiological changes associated with suicidal behaviour. Suicide risk could be attenuated by appropriate psychological treatment, electroconvulsive treatment, and drugs: lithium, ketamine, esketamine, clozapine. In this review, we present the etiopathogenesis of suicide behaviour and explore the mechanisms of action of anti-suicidal treatments, pinpointing similarities among them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Wisłowska-Stanek
- Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CEPT), Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1B Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-221166160
| | - Karolina Kołosowska
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Street, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Maciejak
- Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CEPT), Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, 1B Banacha Street, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, 9 Sobieskiego Street, 02-957 Warsaw, Poland;
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6
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Afia AB, Vila È, MacDowell KS, Ormazabal A, Leza JC, Haro JM, Artuch R, Ramos B, Garcia-Bueno B. Kynurenine pathway in post-mortem prefrontal cortex and cerebellum in schizophrenia: relationship with monoamines and symptomatology. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:198. [PMID: 34511126 PMCID: PMC8436477 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02260-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuit has been implicated in the emergence of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia (SZ). The kynurenine pathway (KP) has been linked to alterations in glutamatergic and monoaminergic neurotransmission and to SZ symptomatology through the production of the metabolites quinolinic acid (QA) and kynurenic acid (KYNA). METHODS This work describes alterations in KP in the post-mortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) and cerebellum (CB) of 15 chronic SZ patients and 14 control subjects in PFC and 13 control subjects in CB using immunoblot for protein levels and ELISA for interleukins and QA and KYNA determinations. Monoamine metabolites were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography and SZ symptomatology was assessed by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The association of KP with inflammatory mediators, monoamine metabolism and SZ symptomatology was explored. RESULTS In the PFC, the presence of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 together with IDO2 and KATII enzymes decreased in SZ, while TDO and KMO enzyme expression increased. A network interaction analysis showed that in the PFC IL-10 was coupled to the QA branch of the kynurenine pathway (TDO-KMO-QA), whereas IL-10 associated with KMO in CB. KYNA in the CB inversely correlated with negative and general PANSS psychopathology. Although there were no changes in monoamine metabolite content in the PFC in SZ, a network interaction analysis showed associations between dopamine and methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol degradation metabolite. Direct correlations were found between general PANSS psychopathology and the serotonin degradation metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Interestingly, KYNA in the CB inversely correlated with 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the PFC. CONCLUSIONS Thus, this work found alterations in KP in two brain areas belonging to the cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuit associated with SZ symptomatology, with a possible impact across areas in 5-HT degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amira Ben Afia
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Bioresource Valorization, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Èlia Vila
- Psiquiatria Molecular, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Karina S MacDowell
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica UCM, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM (Biomedical Network Research Center of Mental Health), Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida Ormazabal
- Clinical Chemistry Department, Institut de recerca Sant Joan de Déu and CIBERER-ISCIII, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2. 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan C Leza
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica UCM, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM (Biomedical Network Research Center of Mental Health), Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep M Haro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM (Biomedical Network Research Center of Mental Health), Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.,Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Artuch
- Clinical Chemistry Department, Institut de recerca Sant Joan de Déu and CIBERER-ISCIII, Passeig Sant Joan de Déu, 2. 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Belén Ramos
- Psiquiatria Molecular, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, 08830 Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM (Biomedical Network Research Center of Mental Health), Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. .,Dept. de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Borja Garcia-Bueno
- Departamento de Farmacología y Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica UCM, Avda. Complutense s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM (Biomedical Network Research Center of Mental Health), Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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7
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Imbeault S, Gubert Olivé M, Jungholm O, Erhardt S, Wigström H, Engberg G, Jardemark K. Blockade of KAT II Facilitates LTP in Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Depleted Mice. Int J Tryptophan Res 2021; 14:11786469211041368. [PMID: 34483669 PMCID: PMC8411644 DOI: 10.1177/11786469211041368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Excess of brain kynurenic acid (KYNA), a neuroactive metabolite of the kynurenine
pathway, is known to elicit cognitive dysfunction. In the present study, we
investigated spatial working memory in mice with elevated levels of KYNA,
induced by targeted deletion of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), as well as
long-term potentiation (LTP) of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials
(fEPSPs) in hippocampal brain slices from these mice. The KMO knock-out
(KMO−/−) mice performed more poorly in the spatial working memory
task as compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts, as reflected by fewer
correct choices in a T-maze. Both fEPSPs, or LTP, did not significantly differ
between the 2 mouse strains. However, administration of PF-04859989, a
kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) II inhibitor, limiting the production of KYNA,
facilitated fEPSP and enhanced LTP to a greater extent in hippocampal slices
from KMO−/− mice compared to WT mice. The results of the present
study point to an essential role for KYNA in modulating LTP in the hippocampus
of KMO−/− mice which may account for their dysfunctional spatial
working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Imbeault
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Max Gubert Olivé
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oscar Jungholm
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sophie Erhardt
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Holger Wigström
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Göran Engberg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kent Jardemark
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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8
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Bai MY, Lovejoy DB, Guillemin GJ, Kozak R, Stone TW, Koola MM. Galantamine-Memantine Combination and Kynurenine Pathway Enzyme Inhibitors in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Complex Psychiatry 2021; 7:19-33. [PMID: 35141700 PMCID: PMC8443947 DOI: 10.1159/000515066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) is a major route for L-tryptophan (L-TRP) metabolism, yielding a variety of bioactive compounds including kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), quinolinic acid (QUIN), and picolinic acid (PIC). These tryptophan catabolites are involved in the pathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly when the KP becomes dysregulated. Accordingly, the enzymes that regulate the KP such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)/tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs), and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) represent potential drug targets as enzymatic inhibition can favorably rebalance KP metabolite concentrations. In addition, the galantamine-memantine combination, through its modulatory effects at the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, may counteract the effects of KYNA. The aim of this review is to highlight the effectiveness of IDO-1, KAT II, and KMO inhibitors, as well as the galantamine-memantine combination in the modulation of different KP metabolites. KAT II inhibitors are capable of decreasing the KYNA levels in the rat brain by a maximum of 80%. KMO inhibitors effectively reduce the central nervous system (CNS) levels of 3-HK, while markedly boosting the brain concentration of KYNA. Emerging data suggest that the galantamine-memantine combination also lowers L-TRP, kynurenine, KYNA, and PIC levels in humans. Presently, there are only 2 pathophysiological mechanisms (cholinergic and glutamatergic) that are FDA approved for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction for which purpose the galantamine-memantine combination has been designed for clinical use against Alzheimer's disease. The alpha7 nicotinic-NMDA hypothesis targeted by the galantamine-memantine combination has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various CNS diseases. Similarly, KYNA is well capable of modulating the neuropathophysiology of these disorders. This is known as the KYNA-centric hypothesis, which may be implicated in the management of certain neuropsychiatric conditions. In line with this hypothesis, KYNA may be considered as the "conductor of the orchestra" for the major pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CNS disorders. Therefore, there is great opportunity to further explore and compare the biological effects of these therapeutic modalities in animal models with a special focus on their effects on KP metabolites in the CNS and with the ultimate goal of progressing to clinical trials for many neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y. Bai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David B. Lovejoy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rouba Kozak
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trevor W. Stone
- Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maju Mathew Koola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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9
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Taleb O, Maammar M, Klein C, Maitre M, Mensah-Nyagan AG. A Role for Xanthurenic Acid in the Control of Brain Dopaminergic Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22136974. [PMID: 34203531 PMCID: PMC8268472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Xanthurenic acid (XA) is a metabolite of the kynurenine pathway (KP) synthetized in the brain from dietary or microbial tryptophan that crosses the blood-brain barrier through carrier-mediated transport. XA and kynurenic acid (KYNA) are two structurally related compounds of KP occurring at micromolar concentrations in the CNS and suspected to modulate some pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric and/or neurodegenerative diseases. Particularly, various data including XA cerebral distribution (from 1 µM in olfactory bulbs and cerebellum to 0.1–0.4 µM in A9 and A10), its release, and interactions with G protein-dependent XA-receptor, glutamate transporter and metabotropic receptors, strongly support a signaling and/or neuromodulatory role for XA. However, while the parent molecule KYNA is considered as potentially involved in neuropsychiatric disorders because of its inhibitory action on dopamine release in the striatum, the effect of XA on brain dopaminergic activity remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that acute local/microdialysis-infusions of XA dose-dependently stimulate dopamine release in the rat prefrontal cortex (four-fold increase in the presence of 20 µM XA). This stimulatory effect is blocked by XA-receptor antagonist NCS-486. Interestingly, our results show that the peripheral/intraperitoneal administration of XA, which has been proven to enhance intra-cerebral XA concentrations (about 200% increase after 50 mg/kg XA i.p), also induces a dose-dependent increase of dopamine release in the cortex and striatum. Furthermore, our in vivo electrophysiological studies reveal that the repeated/daily administrations of XA reduce by 43% the number of spontaneously firing dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area. In the substantia nigra, XA treatment does not change the number of firing neurons. Altogether, our results suggest that XA may contribute together with KYNA to generate a KYNA/XA ratio that may crucially determine the brain normal dopaminergic activity. Imbalance of this ratio may result in dopaminergic dysfunctions related to several brain disorders, including psychotic diseases and drug dependence.
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10
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Sellgren CM, Imbeault S, Larsson MK, Oliveros A, Nilsson IAK, Codeluppi S, Orhan F, Bhat M, Tufvesson-Alm M, Gracias J, Kegel ME, Zheng Y, Faka A, Svedberg M, Powell SB, Caldwell S, Kamenski ME, Vawter MP, Schulmann A, Goiny M, Svensson CI, Hökfelt T, Schalling M, Schwieler L, Cervenka S, Choi DS, Landén M, Engberg G, Erhardt S. GRK3 deficiency elicits brain immune activation and psychosis. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6820-6832. [PMID: 33976392 PMCID: PMC8760053 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01106-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) family member protein GRK3 has been linked to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Expression, as well as protein levels, of GRK3 are reduced in post-mortem prefrontal cortex of schizophrenia subjects. Here, we investigate functional behavior and neurotransmission related to immune activation and psychosis using mice lacking functional Grk3 and utilizing a variety of methods, including behavioral, biochemical, electrophysiological, molecular, and imaging methods. Compared to wildtype controls, the Grk3-/- mice show a number of aberrations linked to psychosis, including elevated brain levels of IL-1β, increased turnover of kynurenic acid (KYNA), hyper-responsiveness to D-amphetamine, elevated spontaneous firing of midbrain dopamine neurons, and disruption in prepulse inhibition. Analyzing human genetic data, we observe a link between psychotic features in bipolar disorder, decreased GRK expression, and increased concentration of CSF KYNA. Taken together, our data suggest that Grk3-/- mice show face and construct validity relating to the psychosis phenotype with glial activation and would be suitable for translational studies of novel immunomodulatory agents in psychotic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl M. Sellgren
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sophie Imbeault
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Markus K. Larsson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alfredo Oliveros
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN USA
| | - Ida A. K. Nilsson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Translational Psychiatry, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simone Codeluppi
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Funda Orhan
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Bhat
- grid.418151.80000 0001 1519 6403Research and Development, Innovative Medicines, Personalised Healthcare and Biomarkers, Translational Science Centre, Science for Life Laboratory, AstraZeneca, Solna, Sweden ,grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maximilian Tufvesson-Alm
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jessica Gracias
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Magdalena E. Kegel
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yiran Zheng
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anthi Faka
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Svedberg
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susan B. Powell
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Sorana Caldwell
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Mary E. Kamenski
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Marquis P. Vawter
- grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Anton Schulmann
- grid.416868.50000 0004 0464 0574Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Michel Goiny
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Camilla I. Svensson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Hökfelt
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Schalling
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Translational Psychiatry, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lilly Schwieler
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simon Cervenka
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm & Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Doo-Sup Choi
- grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN USA ,grid.66875.3a0000 0004 0459 167XDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN USA
| | - Mikael Landén
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden ,grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Engberg
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Sophie Erhardt
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Muneer A. Kynurenine Pathway of Tryptophan Metabolism in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Pathophysiologic and Therapeutic Considerations. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 18:507-526. [PMID: 33124585 PMCID: PMC7609208 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2020.18.4.507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Under physiological conditions 95% of the ingested essential amino acid tryptophan is metabolized by the kynurenine pathway (KP) to yield the ubiquitous co-enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, fulfilling cellular energy require-ments. Importantly, the intermediaries of KP exert crucial effects throughout the body, including the central nervous system. Besides, KP metabolites are implicated in diverse disease processes such as inflammation/immune disorders, endocrine/metabolic conditions, cancers and neuropsychiatric diseases. A burgeoning body of research indicates that the KP plays a pathogenic role in major psychiatric diseases like mood disorders and schizophrenia. Triggered by inflammatory processes, the balance between neurotoxic and neuroprotective branches of the KP is disturbed. In preclinical models these discrepancies result in behaviors reminiscent of depression and psychosis. In clinical samples, recent studies are discovering key kynurenine pathway abnormalities which incriminate it in the pathogenesis of the main psychiatric disorders. Harnessing this knowledge has the potential to find disease biomarkers helpful in identifying and prognosticating neuropsychiatric disorders. Concurrently, earnest research efforts directed towards manipulating the KP hold the promise of discovering novel pharmacological agents that have therapeutic value. In this manuscript, an in-depth appraisal of the extant literature is done to understand the working of KP as this applies to neuropsychiatric disorders. It is concluded that this pathway plays an overarching role in the development of major psychiatric disorders, the KP metabolites have the potential to serve as disease markers and new medications based on KP modulation can bring lasting cures for patients suffering from these intractable conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ather Muneer
- Islamic International Medical College, Riphah International University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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12
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Repeated administration of LPS exaggerates amphetamine-induced locomotor response and causes learning deficits in mice. J Neuroimmunol 2020; 349:577401. [PMID: 33002724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Immune activation contributes to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Administration of a single dose of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) has been shown to induce depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors in rodents through activation of the kynurenine pathway, increasing levels of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist quinolinic acid. Conversely, repeated administration of LPS produces increased levels of the NMDA receptor antagonist kynurenic acid. Here we show that repeated LPS administration increases sensitivity to D-amphetamine and produces cognitive deficits and anxiety-like behavior. Together, our behavioral data suggests that repeated LPS administration may be useful to study the contribution of inflammation to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.
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13
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Beaupre BA, Reabe KR, Roman JV, Moran GR. Hydrogen movements in the oxidative half-reaction of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase from Pseudomonas fluorescens reveal the mechanism of hydroxylation. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 690:108474. [PMID: 32687799 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Kynurenine 3-monoxygenase (KMO) catalyzes the conversion of l-kynurenine (L-Kyn) to 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OHKyn) in the pathway for tryptophan catabolism. We have investigated the effects of pH and deuterium substitution on the oxidative half-reaction of KMO from P. fluorescens (PfKMO). The three phases observed during the oxidative half reaction are formation of the hydroperoxyflavin, hydroxylation and product release. The measured rate constants for these phases proved largely unchanging with pH, suggesting that the KMO active site is insulated from exchange with solvent during catalysis. A solvent inventory study indicated that a solvent isotope effect of 2-3 is observed for the hydroxylation phase and that two or more protons are in flight during this step. An inverse isotope effect of 0.84 ± 0.01 on the rate constant for the hydroxylation step with ring perdeutero-L-Kyn as a substrate indicates a shift from sp2 to sp3 hybridization in the transition state leading to the formation of a non-aromatic intermediate. The pH dependence of transient state data collected for the substrate analog meta-nitrobenzoylalanine indicate that groups proximal to the hydroperoxyflavin are titrated in the range pH 5-8.5 and can be described by a pKa of 8.8. That higher pH values do not slow the rate of hydroxylation precludes that the pKa measured pertains to the proton of the hydroperoxflavin. Together, these observations indicate that the C4a-hydroperoxyflavin has a pKa ≫ 8.5, that a non-aromatic species is the immediate product of hydroxylation and that at least two solvent derived protons are in-flight during oxygen insertion to the substrate aromatic ring. A unifying mechanistic proposal for these observations is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett A Beaupre
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1068 W Sheridan Rd, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - Karen R Reabe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3210 N. Cramer Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53211-3029, USA
| | - Joseph V Roman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1068 W Sheridan Rd, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - Graham R Moran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 1068 W Sheridan Rd, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA.
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14
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Bai JH, Zheng YL, Yu YP. Urinary kynurenine as a biomarker for Parkinson's disease. Neurol Sci 2020; 42:697-703. [PMID: 32661882 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04589-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine whether urine kynurenine (KYN) levels were associated with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD), as well as the value of urine KYN as a potential biomarker in early-stage PD. METHOD Eighty-two participants including 41 PD patients and 41 healthy controls were enrolled into this study. Urine KYN levels were measured with a KYN enzyme-linked immunoassay kit. In order to explore the correlation between some clinical parameters and urine KYN, the clinical parameters for these participants were recorded. Diagnostic value and clinical relevance of urine KYN were assessed by using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and correlation analysis. RESULTS Urine KYN levels were significantly higher in the PD group than in the healthy group (891.95 ± 276.65 pg/ml vs. 640.11 ± 122.37 pg/ml, p = 0.000). The correlations between urine KYN levels and clinical parameters are as follows: Hoehn-Yahr stage (r = 0.676, p = 0.000), disease duration (r = 0.772, p = 0.000), Mini-Mental State Examination scores (r = -0.434, p = 0.005). There was no statistically significant correlation between urine KYN with age, low-density cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), homocysteine (HCY), uric acid (UA), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The ROC analysis showed that urine KYN optimal cutoff value of 751.88 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 65.9% and a specificity of 90.2% for distinguishing between PD and controls, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.776. CONCLUSION Urine KYN were significantly associated with PD severity and mild cognitive impairment. Urine KYN may be a new biomarker for early-stage PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-He Bai
- Yu Yongpeng Innovation Studio and Department of Neurology, Weihai Central Hospital, Qingdao University, Weihai, 264400, China
| | - Ya-Li Zheng
- Yu Yongpeng Innovation Studio and Department of Neurology, Weihai Central Hospital, Qingdao University, Weihai, 264400, China
| | - Yong-Peng Yu
- Yu Yongpeng Innovation Studio and Department of Neurology, Weihai Central Hospital, Qingdao University, Weihai, 264400, China. .,Department of Neurology, Weihai Central Hospital, Weifang Medical college, Weihai, 264400, China.
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15
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Nakazawa K, Sapkota K. The origin of NMDA receptor hypofunction in schizophrenia. Pharmacol Ther 2019; 205:107426. [PMID: 31629007 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2019.107426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction plays a key role in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Since NMDAR hypofunction has also been reported in autism, Alzheimer's disease and cognitive dementia, it is crucial to identify the location, timing, and mechanism of NMDAR hypofunction for schizophrenia for better understanding of disease etiology and for novel therapeutic intervention. In this review, we first discuss the shared underlying mechanisms of NMDAR hypofunction in NMDAR antagonist models and the anti-NMDAR autoantibody model of schizophrenia and suggest that NMDAR hypofunction could occur in GABAergic neurons in both models. Preclinical models using transgenic mice have shown that NMDAR hypofunction in cortical GABAergic neurons, in particular parvalbumin-positive fast-spiking interneurons, in the early postnatal period confers schizophrenia-related phenotypes. Recent studies suggest that NMDAR hypofunction can also occur in PV-positive GABAergic neurons with alterations of NMDAR-associated proteins, such as neuregulin/ErbB4, α7nAChR, and serine racemase. Furthermore, several environmental factors, such as oxidative stress, kynurenic acid and hypoxia, may also potentially elicit NMDAR hypofunction in GABAergic neurons in early postnatal period. Altogether, the studies discussed here support a central role for GABAergic abnormalities in the context of NMDAR hypofunction. We conclude by suggesting potential therapeutic strategies to improve the function of fast-spiking neurons.
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16
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Kynurenines and the Endocannabinoid System in Schizophrenia: Common Points and Potential Interactions. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24203709. [PMID: 31619006 PMCID: PMC6832375 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24203709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia, which affects around 1% of the world’s population, has been described as a complex set of symptoms triggered by multiple factors. However, the exact background mechanisms remain to be explored, whereas therapeutic agents with excellent effectivity and safety profiles have yet to be developed. Kynurenines and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) play significant roles in both the development and manifestation of schizophrenia, which have been extensively studied and reviewed previously. Accordingly, kynurenines and the ECS share multiple features and mechanisms in schizophrenia, which have yet to be reviewed. Thus, the present study focuses on the main common points and potential interactions between kynurenines and the ECS in schizophrenia, which include (i) the regulation of glutamatergic/dopaminergic/γ-aminobutyric acidergic neurotransmission, (ii) their presence in astrocytes, and (iii) their role in inflammatory mechanisms. Additionally, promising pharmaceutical approaches involving the kynurenine pathway and the ECS will be reviewed herein.
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17
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Murakami Y, Imamura Y, Saito K, Sakai D, Motoyama J. Altered kynurenine pathway metabolites in a mouse model of human attention-deficit hyperactivity/autism spectrum disorders: A potential new biological diagnostic marker. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13182. [PMID: 31515500 PMCID: PMC6742629 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49781-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Deleterious mutations in patchd1 domain containing 1 (PTCHD1) gene have been identified in patients with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To clarify the causal relationship between Ptchd1 deficiency and behavioral defects relevant to neurodevelopmental disorders, we generated global Ptchd1 knockout (KO) mice. Ptchd1 KO mice displayed hyperlocomotion, increased impulsivity, and lower recognition memory, which resemble attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behaviors. Acute or chronic treatment with atomoxetine ameliorated almost all behavioral deficits in Pthcd1 KO mice. We next determined possible involvement of the kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites in neurodevelopmental disorders in Ptchd1 KO mice and assessed the potential of KP metabolites as biomarkers for ADHD and/or ASD. Ptchd1 KO mice showed drastic changes in KP metabolite concentrations in the serum and the brain, indicating that the activated KP is associated with ADHD-like behaviors. Our findings indicate that Ptchd1 KO mice can be used as an animal model of human ADHD and/or ASD, and KP metabolites are potential diagnostic biomarkers for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Murakami
- Organization for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University, Kyoto, 610-0394, Japan. .,Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Kansai Medical University, Hirakata, 573-1010, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Yukio Imamura
- Organization for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University, Kyoto, 610-0394, Japan.,Department of Traumatology and Acute Critical Medicine, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kuniaki Saito
- Department of Disease Control and Prevention, Fujita Health University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Toyoake, 470-1192, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sakai
- Organization for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University, Kyoto, 610-0394, Japan.,Division of General Education, Biology, Kanazawa Medical University, Kanazawa, 920-0293, Japan
| | - Jun Motoyama
- Laboratory of Development Neurobiology, Graduate School of Brain Science, Doshisha University, Kyoto, 610-0394, Japan
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18
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Crespi BJ. Comparative psychopharmacology of autism and psychotic-affective disorders suggests new targets for treatment. Evol Med Public Health 2019; 2019:149-168. [PMID: 31548888 PMCID: PMC6748779 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoz022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The first treatments showing effectiveness for some psychiatric disorders, such as lithium for bipolar disorder and chlorpromazine for schizophrenia, were discovered by accident. Currently, psychiatric drug design is seen as a scientific enterprise, limited though it remains by the complexity of brain development and function. Relatively few novel and effective drugs have, however, been developed for many years. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how evolutionary biology can provide a useful framework for psychiatric drug development. The framework is based on a diametrical nature of autism, compared with psychotic-affective disorders (mainly schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression). This paradigm follows from two inferences: (i) risks and phenotypes of human psychiatric disorders derive from phenotypes that have evolved along the human lineage and (ii) biological variation is bidirectional (e.g. higher vs lower, faster vs slower, etc.), such that dysregulation of psychological traits varies in two opposite ways. In this context, the author review the evidence salient to the hypothesis that autism and psychotic-affective disorders represent diametrical disorders in terms of current, proposed and potential psychopharmacological treatments. Studies of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, the PI3K pathway, the NMDA receptor, kynurenic acid metabolism, agmatine metabolism, levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, and other treatments, demonstrate evidence of diametric effects in autism spectrum disorders and phenotypes compared with psychotic-affective disorders and phenotypes. These findings yield insights into treatment mechanisms and the development of new pharmacological therapies, as well as providing an explanation for the longstanding puzzle of antagonism between epilepsy and psychosis. Lay Summary: Consideration of autism and schizophrenia as caused by opposite alterations to brain development and function leads to novel suggestions for pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard J Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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19
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Rad Pour S, Morikawa H, Kiani NA, Yang M, Azimi A, Shafi G, Shang M, Baumgartner R, Ketelhuth DFJ, Kamleh MA, Wheelock CE, Lundqvist A, Hansson J, Tegnér J. Exhaustion of CD4+ T-cells mediated by the Kynurenine Pathway in Melanoma. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12150. [PMID: 31434983 PMCID: PMC6704156 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48635-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenine pathway (KP) activation by the enzymatic activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase1 (IDO1) and kynurenine (KYN) production represents an attractive target for reducing tumour progression and improving anti-tumour immunity in multiple cancers. However, immunomodulatory properties of other KP metabolites such as 3-hydroxy kynurenine (3-HK) and kynurenic acid (KYNA) are poorly understood. The association of the kynurenine metabolic pathway with T-cell status in the tumour microenvironment were characterized, using gene expression data of 368 cutaneous skin melanoma (SKCM) patients from the TCGA cohort. Based on the identified correlations, we characterized the production of KYN, 3-HK, and KYNA in vitro using melanoma-derived cell lines and primary CD4+ CD25- T-cells. Activation of the CD4+ T-cells produced IFNγ, which yielded increased levels of KYN and KYNA. Concurrently, kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) expression and proliferation of CD4+ T-cells were reduced, whereas exhaustion markers such as PD-L1, AHR, FOXP3, and CTLA4 were increased. Additionally, an analysis of the correlation network reconstructed using TCGA-SKCM emphasized KMO and KYNU with high variability among BRAF wild-type compared with V600E, which underscored their role in distinct CD4+ T-cell behavior in tumour immunity. Our results suggest that, in addition to IDO1, there is an alternative immune regulatory mechanism associated with the lower KMO expression and the higher KYNA production, which contributes to dysfunctional effector CD4+ T-cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudabeh Rad Pour
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Hiromasa Morikawa
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Narsis A Kiani
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
- Algorithmic Dynamics Lab, Unit of Computational Medicine, Department of Medicine Solna, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute and SciLifeLab, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Muyi Yang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alireza Azimi
- Department of Immunology, Genetics & Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gowhar Shafi
- Department of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Positive Bioscience, Mumbai, -400 002, India
| | - Mingmei Shang
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Roland Baumgartner
- Experimental Cardiovascular Research Group, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Daniel F J Ketelhuth
- Experimental Cardiovascular Research Group, Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Muhammad Anas Kamleh
- Division of Physiological Chemistry II, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Craig E Wheelock
- Division of Physiological Chemistry II, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andreas Lundqvist
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Hansson
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Tegnér
- Unit of Computational Medicine, Department of Medicine, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division (BESE), Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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Zakrocka I, Targowska-Duda KM, Wnorowski A, Kocki T, Jóźwiak K, Turski WA. Influence of Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors on Kynurenic Acid Production in Rat Brain in Vitro. Neurotox Res 2019; 35:244-254. [PMID: 30178287 PMCID: PMC6313367 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-018-9952-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Significant body of evidence suggests that abnormal kynurenic acid (KYNA) level is involved in the pathophysiology of central nervous system disorders. In the brain, KYNA is synthesized from kynurenine (KYN) by kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs), predominantly by KAT II isoenzyme. Blockage of ionotropic glutamate (GLU) receptors is a main cellular effect of KYNA. High KYNA levels have been linked with psychotic symptoms and cognitive dysfunction in animals and humans. As immunological imbalance and impaired glutamatergic neurotransmission are one of the crucial processes in neurological pathologies, we aimed to analyze the effect of anti-inflammatory agents, inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2): celecoxib, niflumic acid, and parecoxib, on KYNA synthesis and KAT II activity in rat brain in vitro. The influence of COX-2 inhibitors was examined in rat brain cortical slices and on isolated KAT II enzyme. Niflumic acid and parecoxib decreased in a dose-dependent manner KYNA production and KAT II activity in rat brain cortex in vitro, whereas celecoxib was ineffective. Molecular docking results suggested that niflumic acid and parecoxib interact with an active site of KAT II. In conclusion, niflumic acid and parecoxib are dual COX-2 and KAT II inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Zakrocka
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland.
| | | | - Artur Wnorowski
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kocki
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Jóźwiak
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093, Lublin, Poland
| | - Waldemar A Turski
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090, Lublin, Poland
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Badawy AAB. Tryptophan Metabolism: A Versatile Area Providing Multiple Targets for Pharmacological Intervention. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 2019; 9:10.32527/2019/101415. [PMID: 31105983 PMCID: PMC6520243 DOI: 10.32527/2019/101415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The essential amino acid L-tryptophan (Trp) undergoes extensive metabolism along several pathways, resulting in production of many biologically active metabolites which exert profound effects on physiological processes. The disturbance in Trp metabolism and disposition in many disease states provides a basis for exploring multiple targets for pharmaco-therapeutic interventions. In particular, the kynurenine pathway of Trp degradation is currently at the forefront of immunological research and immunotherapy. In this review, I shall consider mammalian Trp metabolism in health and disease and outline the intervention targets. It is hoped that this account will provide a stimulus for pharmacologists and others to conduct further studies in this rich area of biomedical research and therapeutics.
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