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Hull BT, Miller KM, Corban C, Backer G, Sheehan S, Korstanje R, Sutphin GL. 3-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid Delays Paralysis in Caenorhabditis elegans Models of Amyloid-Beta and Polyglutamine Proteotoxicity. Biomolecules 2024; 14:599. [PMID: 38786006 PMCID: PMC11117628 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Age is the primary risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and a leading cause of death in the elderly population of the United States. No effective treatments for these diseases currently exist. Identifying effective treatments for Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and other neurodegenerative diseases is a major current focus of national scientific resources, and there is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we investigate the potential for targeting the kynurenine pathway metabolite 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) using Caenorhabditis elegans expressing amyloid-beta or a polyglutamine peptide in body wall muscle, modeling the proteotoxicity in Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease, respectively. We show that knocking down the enzyme that degrades 3HAA, 3HAA dioxygenase (HAAO), delays the age-associated paralysis in both models. This effect on paralysis was independent of the protein aggregation in the polyglutamine model. We also show that the mechanism of protection against proteotoxicity from HAAO knockdown is mimicked by 3HAA supplementation, supporting elevated 3HAA as the mediating event linking HAAO knockdown to delayed paralysis. This work demonstrates the potential for 3HAA as a targeted therapeutic in neurodegenerative disease, though the mechanism is yet to be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford T. Hull
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Kayla M. Miller
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | | | - Grant Backer
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
| | | | | | - George L. Sutphin
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Cancer Biology Graduate Interdisciplinary Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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2
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Summers BS, Thomas Broome S, Pang TWR, Mundell HD, Koh Belic N, Tom NC, Ng ML, Yap M, Sen MK, Sedaghat S, Weible MW, Castorina A, Lim CK, Lovelace MD, Brew BJ. A Review of the Evidence for Tryptophan and the Kynurenine Pathway as a Regulator of Stem Cell Niches in Health and Disease. Int J Tryptophan Res 2024; 17:11786469241248287. [PMID: 38757094 PMCID: PMC11097742 DOI: 10.1177/11786469241248287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cells are ubiquitously found in various tissues and organs in the body, and underpin the body's ability to repair itself following injury or disease initiation, though repair can sometimes be compromised. Understanding how stem cells are produced, and functional signaling systems between different niches is critical to understanding the potential use of stem cells in regenerative medicine. In this context, this review considers kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolism in multipotent adult progenitor cells, embryonic, haematopoietic, neural, cancer, cardiac and induced pluripotent stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, and mesenchymal stromal cells. The KP is the major enzymatic pathway for sequentially catabolising the essential amino acid tryptophan (TRP), resulting in key metabolites including kynurenine, kynurenic acid, and quinolinic acid (QUIN). QUIN metabolism transitions into the adjoining de novo pathway for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) production, a critical cofactor in many fundamental cellular biochemical pathways. How stem cells uptake and utilise TRP varies between different species and stem cell types, because of their expression of transporters and responses to inflammatory cytokines. Several KP metabolites are physiologically active, with either beneficial or detrimental outcomes, and evidence of this is presented relating to several stem cell types, which is important as they may exert a significant impact on surrounding differentiated cells, particularly if they metabolise or secrete metabolites differently. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in mesenchymal stromal cells, for instance, highly upregulates rate-limiting enzyme indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO-1), initiating TRP depletion and production of metabolites including kynurenine/kynurenic acid, known agonists of the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factor. AhR transcriptionally regulates an immunosuppressive phenotype, making them attractive for regenerative therapy. We also draw attention to important gaps in knowledge for future studies, which will underpin future application for stem cell-based cellular therapies or optimising drugs which can modulate the KP in innate stem cell populations, for disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Sebastian Summers
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Thomas Broome
- Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Hamish D Mundell
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, New South Wales Brain Tissue Resource Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Naomi Koh Belic
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole C Tom
- Formerly of the Department of Physiology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mei Li Ng
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Maylin Yap
- Formerly of the Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Monokesh K Sen
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sara Sedaghat
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael W Weible
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Alessandro Castorina
- Faculty of Science, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chai K Lim
- Faculty of Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael D Lovelace
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bruce J Brew
- Applied Neurosciences Program, Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St. Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Departments of Neurology and Immunology, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- University of Notre Dame, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Fongsaran C, Dineley KT, Paessler S, Cisneros IE. VEEV TC-83 Triggers Dysregulation of the Tryptophan-Kynurenine Pathway in the Central Nervous System That Correlates with Cognitive Impairment in Tg2576 Mice. Pathogens 2024; 13:397. [PMID: 38787249 PMCID: PMC11124172 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta in the limbic and cortical brain regions. AD is presumed to result from genetic abnormalities or environmental factors, including viral infections, which may have deleterious, long-term effects. In this study, we demonstrate that the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) commonly induces neurodegeneration and long-term neurological or cognitive sequelae. Notably, the effects of VEEV infection can persistently influence gene expression in the mouse brain, suggesting a potential link between the observed neurodegenerative outcomes and long-term alterations in gene expression. Additionally, we show that alphavirus encephalitis exacerbates the neuropathological profile of AD through crosstalk between inflammatory and kynurenine pathways, generating a range of metabolites with potent effects. Using a mouse model for β-amyloidosis, Tg2576 mice, we found that cognitive deficits and brain pathology were more severe in Tg2576 mice infected with VEEV TC-83 compared to mock-infected controls. Thus, during immune activation, the kynurenine pathway plays a more active role in the VEEV TC-83-infected cells, leading to increases in the abundance of transcripts related to the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism. This pathway generates several metabolites with potent effects on neurotransmitter systems as well as on inflammation, as observed in VEEV TC-83-infected animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanida Fongsaran
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (C.F.); (S.P.)
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Kelly T. Dineley
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (C.F.); (S.P.)
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
| | - Irma E. Cisneros
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; (C.F.); (S.P.)
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Neuroinfectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA;
- Center for Addiction Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Kondo T, Okada Y, Shizuya S, Yamaguchi N, Hatakeyama S, Maruyama K. Neuroimmune modulation by tryptophan derivatives in neurological and inflammatory disorders. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151418. [PMID: 38729083 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2024.151418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The nervous and immune systems are highly developed, and each performs specialized physiological functions. However, they work together, and their dysfunction is associated with various diseases. Specialized molecules, such as neurotransmitters, cytokines, and more general metabolites, are essential for the appropriate regulation of both systems. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is converted into functional molecules such as serotonin and kynurenine, both of which play important roles in the nervous and immune systems. The role of kynurenine metabolites in neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases has recently received particular attention. Recently, we found that hyperactivity of the kynurenine pathway is a critical risk factor for septic shock. In this review, we first outline neuroimmune interactions and tryptophan derivatives and then summarized the changes in tryptophan metabolism in neurological disorders. Finally, we discuss the potential of tryptophan derivatives as therapeutic targets for neuroimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Kondo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 060-8636, Japan
| | - Yuka Okada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan
| | - Saika Shizuya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan
| | - Naoko Yamaguchi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
| | - Shigetsugu Hatakeyama
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido 060-8636, Japan
| | - Kenta Maruyama
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Aichi 480-1195, Japan.
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5
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Sadek M, Stover KR, Liu X, Reed MA, Weaver DF, Reid AY. IDO-1 inhibition improves outcome after fluid percussion injury in adult male rats. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25338. [PMID: 38706427 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
The enzyme indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway (KP) which produces both neuroprotective and neurotoxic metabolites. Neuroinflammatory signals produced as a result of pathological conditions can increase production of IDO1 and boost its enzymatic capacity. IDO1 and the KP have been implicated in behavioral recovery after human traumatic brain injury (TBI), but their roles in experimental models of TBI are for the most part unknown. We hypothesized there is an increase in KP activity in the fluid percussion injury (FPI) model of TBI, and that administration of an IDO1 inhibitor will improve neurological recovery. In this study, adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to FPI or sham injury and received twice-daily oral administration of the IDO1 inhibitor PF-06840003 (100 mg/kg) or vehicle control. FPI resulted in a significant increase in KP activity, as demonstrated by an increased ratio of kynurenine: tryptophan, in the perilesional neocortex and ipsilateral hippocampus 3 days postinjury (DPI), which normalized by 7 DPI. The increase in KP activity was prevented by PF-06840003. IDO1 inhibition also improved memory performance as assessed in the Barnes maze and anxiety behaviors as assessed in open field testing in the first 28 DPI. These results suggest increased KP activity after FPI may mediate neurological dysfunction, and IDO1 inhibition should be further investigated as a potential therapeutic target to improve recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marawan Sadek
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kurt R Stover
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Xiaojing Liu
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mark A Reed
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Donald F Weaver
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aylin Y Reid
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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6
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Osuch B, Misztal T, Pałatyńska K, Tomaszewska-Zaremba D. Implications of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolism for the Immune System, Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis, and Neurotransmission in Alcohol Use Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4845. [PMID: 38732064 PMCID: PMC11084367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in interest in the role of the kynurenine pathway (KP) in mechanisms associated with addictive behavior. Numerous reports implicate KP metabolism in influencing the immune system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and neurotransmission, which underlie the behavioral patterns characteristic of addiction. An in-depth analysis of the results of these new studies highlights interesting patterns of relationships, and approaching alcohol use disorder (AUD) from a broader neuroendocrine-immune system perspective may be crucial to better understanding this complex phenomenon. In this review, we provide an up-to-date summary of information indicating the relationship between AUD and the KP, both in terms of changes in the activity of this pathway and modulation of this pathway as a possible pharmacological approach for the treatment of AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Osuch
- Department of Animal Physiology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Instytucka 3, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland; (T.M.); (K.P.); (D.T.-Z.)
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7
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do Nascimento Amorim MDS, Silva França ÁR, Santos-Oliveira R, Rodrigues Sanches J, Marinho Melo T, Araújo Serra Pinto B, Barbosa LRS, Alencar LMR. Atomic Force Microscopy Applied to the Study of Tauopathies. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:699-715. [PMID: 38305187 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a scanning probe microscopy technique which has a physical principle, the measurement of interatomic forces between a very thin tip and the surface of a sample, allowing the obtaining of quantitative data at the nanoscale, contributing to the surface study and mechanical characterization. Due to its great versatility, AFM has been used to investigate the structural and nanomechanical properties of several inorganic and biological materials, including neurons affected by tauopathies. Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases featured by aggregation of phosphorylated tau protein inside neurons, leading to functional loss and progressive neurotoxicity. In the broad universe of neurodegenerative diseases, tauopathies comprise the most prevalent, with Alzheimer's disease as its main representative. This review highlights the use of AFM as a suitable research technique for the study of cellular damages in tauopathies, even in early stages, allowing elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria do Socorro do Nascimento Amorim
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Nanosystems, Department of Physics, Federal University of Maranhão, Campus Bacanga, São Luís 65080-805, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Álefe Roger Silva França
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Nanosystems, Department of Physics, Federal University of Maranhão, Campus Bacanga, São Luís 65080-805, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Ralph Santos-Oliveira
- Nuclear Engineering Institute, Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission, Rio de Janeiro 21941906, Brazil
- Laboratory of Nanoradiopharmacy, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro 23070200, Brazil
| | - Jonas Rodrigues Sanches
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, Campus Bacanga, São Luís, 65080-805, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Thamys Marinho Melo
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, Campus Bacanga, São Luís, 65080-805, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Bruno Araújo Serra Pinto
- Laboratory of Experimental Physiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Federal University of Maranhão, Campus Bacanga, São Luís, 65080-805, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Leandro R S Barbosa
- Department of General Physics, Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
- Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas 13083-100, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana Magalhães Rebelo Alencar
- Laboratory of Biophysics and Nanosystems, Department of Physics, Federal University of Maranhão, Campus Bacanga, São Luís 65080-805, Maranhão, Brazil
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8
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Karimi Tari P, Parsons CG, Collingridge GL, Rammes G. Memantine: Updating a rare success story in pro-cognitive therapeutics. Neuropharmacology 2024; 244:109737. [PMID: 37832633 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The great potential for NMDA receptor modulators as druggable targets in neurodegenerative disorders has been met with limited success. Considered one of the rare exceptions, memantine has consistently demonstrated restorative and prophylactic properties in many AD models. In clinical trials memantine slows the decline in cognitive performance associated with AD. Here, we provide an overview of the basic properties including pharmacological targets, toxicology and cellular effects of memantine. Evidence demonstrating reductions in molecular, physiological and behavioural indices of AD-like impairments associated with memantine treatment are also discussed. This represents both an extension and homage to Dr. Chris Parson's considerable contributions to our fundamental understanding of a success story in the AD treatment landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Karimi Tari
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Chris G Parsons
- Galimedix Therapeutics, Inc., 2704 Calvend Lane, Kensington, 20895, MD, USA
| | - Graham L Collingridge
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada; TANZ Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
| | - Gerhard Rammes
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine of the Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, 22, 81675, Munich, Germany.
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9
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Fertan E, Böken D, Murray A, Danial JSH, Lam JYL, Wu Y, Goh PA, Alić I, Cheetham MR, Lobanova E, Zhang YP, Nižetić D, Klenerman D. Cerebral organoids with chromosome 21 trisomy secrete Alzheimer's disease-related soluble aggregates detectable by single-molecule-fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:369-386. [PMID: 38102482 PMCID: PMC11116105 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02333-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the role of small, soluble aggregates of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is of great importance for the rational design of preventative therapies. Here we report a set of methods for the detection, quantification, and characterisation of soluble aggregates in conditioned media of cerebral organoids derived from human iPSCs with trisomy 21, thus containing an extra copy of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene. We detected soluble beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau aggregates secreted by cerebral organoids from both control and the isogenic trisomy 21 (T21) genotype. We developed a novel method to normalise measurements to the number of live neurons within organoid-conditioned media based on glucose consumption. Thus normalised, T21 organoids produced 2.5-fold more Aβ aggregates with a higher proportion of larger (300-2000 nm2) and more fibrillary-shaped aggregates than controls, along with 1.3-fold more soluble phosphorylated tau (pTau) aggregates, increased inflammasome ASC-specks, and a higher level of oxidative stress inducing thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Importantly, all this was detectable prior to the appearance of histological amyloid plaques or intraneuronal tau-pathology in organoid slices, demonstrating the feasibility to model the initial pathogenic mechanisms for AD in-vitro using cells from live genetically pre-disposed donors before the onset of clinical disease. Then, using different iPSC clones generated from the same donor at different times in two independent experiments, we tested the reproducibility of findings in organoids. While there were differences in rates of disease progression between the experiments, the disease mechanisms were conserved. Overall, our results show that it is possible to non-invasively follow the development of pathology in organoid models of AD over time, by monitoring changes in the aggregates and proteins in the conditioned media, and open possibilities to study the time-course of the key pathogenic processes taking place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Fertan
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Dorothea Böken
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Aoife Murray
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - John S H Danial
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Jeff Y L Lam
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Yunzhao Wu
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Pollyanna A Goh
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Ivan Alić
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matthew R Cheetham
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Evgeniia Lobanova
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Yu P Zhang
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Dean Nižetić
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David Klenerman
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
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Knapskog AB, Aksnes M, Edwin TH, Ueland PM, Ulvik A, Fang EF, Eldholm RS, Halaas NB, Saltvedt I, Giil LM, Watne LO. Higher concentrations of kynurenic acid in CSF are associated with the slower clinical progression of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:5573-5582. [PMID: 37264981 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The kynurenine pathway's (KP) malfunction is closely related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), for antagonistic kynurenic acid (KA) and agonistic quinolinic acid act on the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, a possible therapeutic target in treating AD. METHODS In our longitudinal case-control study, KP metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed in 311 patients with AD and 105 cognitively unimpaired controls. RESULTS Patients with AD exhibited higher concentrations of KA (β = 0.18, P < 0.01) and picolinic acid (β = 0.20, P < 0.01) than the controls. KA was positively associated with tau pathology (β = 0.29, P < 0.01), and a higher concentration of KA was associated with the slower progression of dementia. DISCUSSION The higher concentrations of neuroprotective metabolites KA and picolinic acid suggest that the activation of the KP's neuroprotective branch is an adaptive response in AD and may be a promising target for intervention and treatment. Highlights Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibited higher concentrations of kynurenic acid and picolinic acid than controls. Higher concentrations of kynurenic acid were associated with slower progression of AD. Potential neurotoxic kynurenines were not increased among patients with AD. Activation of the kynurenine pathway's neuroprotective branch may be an adaptive response in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mari Aksnes
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine Holt Edwin
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Evandro Fei Fang
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- The Norwegian Centre on Healthy Ageing (NO-Age), University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Rannveig Sakshaug Eldholm
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Ingvild Saltvedt
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lasse M Giil
- Neuro-SysMed, Department of Internal Medicine, Haraldsplass Deaconess Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Leiv Otto Watne
- Oslo Delirium Research Group, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
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11
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Bakker L, Köhler S, Eussen SJPM, Choe K, van den Hove DLA, Kenis G, Rutten BPF, Ulvik A, Ueland PM, Verhey FRJ, Ramakers IHGB. Correlations between kynurenines in plasma and CSF, and their relation to markers of Alzheimer's disease pathology. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 111:312-319. [PMID: 37149106 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Altered levels of kynurenines in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is still largely unknown whether peripheral kynurenine concentrations resemble those found in CSF and how they relate to AD pathology. We therefore studied correlations between kynurenines in plasma and CSF and their associations with CSF amyloid-beta (Aβ1-42) and tau levels in patients from the memory clinic spanning the whole cognitive spectrum. METHODS The Biobank Alzheimer Center Limburg study is a prospective cohort study of consecutive patients referred to the memory clinic of the Alzheimer Center Limburg. Plasma and CSF concentrations of tryptophan (TRP), eight kynurenines and neopterin from 138 patients were determined by means of LC-MS/MS. Additionally, CSF Aβ1-42, total-tau (t-tau) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) concentrations were determined using commercially available single-parameter ELISA methods. Partial correlations were used to analyze cross-sectional associations between kynurenines in plasma and CSF and their relation to AD related CSF-biomarkers adjusted for age, sex, educational level, and kidney function. RESULTS Moderate to strong correlations were observed between plasma and CSF levels for quinolinic acid (QA; r = 0.63), TRP (r = 0.47), anthranilic acid (r = 0.59), picolinic acid (r = 0.55), and the kynurenine (KYN)/TRP ratio (KTR; r = 0.55; all p < 0.0001), while other kynurenines correlated only weakly with their corresponding CSF values. No correlations were found between plasma and CSF levels of KA/QA. Several kynurenines were also weakly correlated with Aβ1-42, t-tau or p-tau. Plasma levels of KA/QA were negatively correlated with Aβ1-42 (r = -0.21, p < 0.05). Plasma levels of TRP were negatively correlated with t-tau (r = -0.19) and levels of KYN with p-tau (r = -0.18; both p < 0.05). CSF levels of KYN (r = 0.20, p < 0.05), KA (r = 0.23, p < 0.01), and KTR (r = 0.18, p < 0.05) were positively correlated with Aβ1-42. Finally, TRP and KYN were negatively (r = -0.22 and r = -0.18, respectively), and neopterin positively (r = 0.19) correlated with p-tau (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Plasma concentrations of TRP, KP metabolites, KTR, and neopterin all significantly correlated positively with their corresponding CSF concentrations, but many correlations were weak. Additionally, our results suggest a relation between higher kynurenine levels and lower AD pathology load. These results need verification in future studies and require more research into (shared) underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lieke Bakker
- Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University, 6229 ET Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Sebastian Köhler
- Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University, 6229 ET Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Simone J P M Eussen
- Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, 6229 HA Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Cardiovascular Diseases (CARIM) and Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Kyonghwan Choe
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Daniel L A van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany.
| | - Gunter Kenis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Bart P F Rutten
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | - Frans R J Verhey
- Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University, 6229 ET Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Inez H G B Ramakers
- Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University, 6229 ET Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs) and European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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12
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VanderZwaag J, Halvorson T, Dolhan K, Šimončičová E, Ben-Azu B, Tremblay MÈ. The Missing Piece? A Case for Microglia's Prominent Role in the Therapeutic Action of Anesthetics, Ketamine, and Psychedelics. Neurochem Res 2023; 48:1129-1166. [PMID: 36327017 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03772-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
There is much excitement surrounding recent research of promising, mechanistically novel psychotherapeutics - psychedelic, anesthetic, and dissociative agents - as they have demonstrated surprising efficacy in treating central nervous system (CNS) disorders, such as mood disorders and addiction. However, the mechanisms by which these drugs provide such profound psychological benefits are still to be fully elucidated. Microglia, the CNS's resident innate immune cells, are emerging as a cellular target for psychiatric disorders because of their critical role in regulating neuroplasticity and the inflammatory environment of the brain. The following paper is a review of recent literature surrounding these neuropharmacological therapies and their demonstrated or hypothesized interactions with microglia. Through investigating the mechanism of action of psychedelics, such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide, ketamine, and propofol, we demonstrate a largely under-investigated role for microglia in much of the emerging research surrounding these pharmacological agents. Among others, we detail sigma-1 receptors, serotonergic and γ-aminobutyric acid signalling, and tryptophan metabolism as pathways through which these agents modulate microglial phagocytic activity and inflammatory mediator release, inducing their therapeutic effects. The current review includes a discussion on future directions in the field of microglial pharmacology and covers bidirectional implications of microglia and these novel pharmacological agents in aging and age-related disease, glial cell heterogeneity, and state-of-the-art methodologies in microglial research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared VanderZwaag
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Torin Halvorson
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kira Dolhan
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Eva Šimončičová
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Benneth Ben-Azu
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Département de médecine moléculaire, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Institute for Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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13
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Shen H, Xu X, Bai Y, Wang X, Wu Y, Zhong J, Wu Q, Luo Y, Shang T, Shen R, Xi M, Sun H. Therapeutic potential of targeting kynurenine pathway in neurodegenerative diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 251:115258. [PMID: 36917881 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Kynurenine pathway (KP), the primary pathway of L-tryptophan (Trp) metabolism in mammals, contains several neuroactive metabolites such as kynurenic acid (KA) and quinolinic acid (QA). Its imbalance involved in aging and neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) has attracted much interest in therapeutically targeting KP enzymes and KP metabolite-associated receptors, especially kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO). Currently, many agents have been discovered with significant improvement in animal models but only one aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist 30 (laquinimod) has entered clinical trials for treating Huntington's disease (HD). In this review, we describe neuroactive KP metabolites, discuss the dysregulation of KP in aging and NDs and summarize the development of KP regulators in preclinical and clinical studies, offering an outlook of targeting KP for NDs treatment in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hualiang Shen
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Xinde Xu
- Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312500, China
| | - Yalong Bai
- Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing, 312500, China
| | | | - Yibin Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Jia Zhong
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Qiyi Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Yanjuan Luo
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Tianbo Shang
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Runpu Shen
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China
| | - Meiyang Xi
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, 312000, China.
| | - Haopeng Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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14
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Duan Z, Shi L, He ZNT, Kuang C, Han T, Yang Q. The Protective Effect of IDO1 Inhibition in Aβ-Treated Neurons and APP/PS1 Mice. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2023; 38:15333175231214861. [PMID: 37944012 PMCID: PMC10637170 DOI: 10.1177/15333175231214861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an inflammatory associated disease, in which dysregulated kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a key role. Through KP, L-tryptophan is catabolized into neurotoxic and neuroprotective metabolites. The overactivation of indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase1 (IDO1), the first rate-limiting enzyme of KP, and the abnormal accumulation of KP metabolites have been noted in AD, and blocking IDO1 has been suggested as a therapeutic strategy. However, the expression patterns of KP enzymes in AD, and whether these enzymes are related to AD pathogenesis, have not been fully studied. Herein, we examined the expression patterns of inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic factors and KP enzymes, and the activity of IDO1 and IDO1 effector pathway AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) in AD mice. We studied the effects of IDO1 inhibitors on Aβ-related neuroinflammation in rat primary neurons, mouse hippocampal neuronal cells, and APP/PS1 mice. The results further demonstrated the importance of IDO1-catalyzed KP in neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenzhen Duan
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Ning Tony He
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunxiang Kuang
- Shanghai Key Lab of Chemical Assessment and Sustainability, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianxiong Han
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Industrial Microorganisms, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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15
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Abbasinezhad-Moud F, Mirzavi F, Rakhshandeh H, Mohebbati R, Forouzanfar F, Jalili-Nik M, Azadi N, Sanati M, Afshari AR, Soukhtanloo M. The Effects of Urolithin B and Auraptene on Quinolinic Acid-induced Toxicity in the SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cell Line. Altern Lab Anim 2023; 51:30-38. [PMID: 36550678 DOI: 10.1177/02611929221146752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The pathological accumulation of quinolinic acid (QA) is often associated with neuritis and neuronal cell death in several neurodegenerative diseases, through the overproduction of free radicals. Urolithin B and auraptene have been reported to exert potent antioxidant effects - however, little is known about the protective effects of these compounds against QA-induced neurotoxicity. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the in vitro protective effects of urolithin B and auraptene against QA-induced neurotoxicity in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. The MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability, and flow cytometry was carried out to evaluate effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis. The intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also determined. Our findings showed that auraptene at non-toxic concentrations had no protective effect on QA-induced toxicity. However, urolithin B at concentrations of 0.6 μM and 2.5 μM enhanced the viability of cells treated with QA. Moreover, while the percentage of apoptotic cells (i.e. in the sub-G1 phase) was shown to significantly increase after QA treatment, pre-treatment with urolithin B reduced the number of these apoptotic cells. Furthermore, urolithin B, as an antioxidant, also significantly reduced QA-induced ROS production. Our findings suggest that urolithin B may possess potent antioxidant and neuroprotective effects against QA-induced neurotoxicity that merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Abbasinezhad-Moud
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farshad Mirzavi
- Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, 125609Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Hassan Rakhshandeh
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Reza Mohebbati
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, 48441Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.,Applied Biomedical Research Center, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Forouzanfar
- Neuroscience Research Center, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Jalili-Nik
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nadia Azadi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehdi Sanati
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, 125609Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Amir R Afshari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, 196469North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Soukhtanloo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, 37552Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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16
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Parker DC, Kraus WE, Whitson HE, Kraus VB, Smith PJ, Cohen HJ, Pieper CF, Faldowski RA, Hall KS, Huebner JL, Ilkayeva OR, Bain JR, Newby LK, Huffman KM. Tryptophan Metabolism and Neurodegeneration: Longitudinal Associations of Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites with Cognitive Performance and Plasma Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Biomarkers in the Duke Physical Performance Across the LifeSpan Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:1141-1150. [PMID: 36565121 PMCID: PMC10074831 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The kynurenine pathway (KP) comprises a family of tryptophan-derived metabolites that some studies have reported are associated with poorer cognitive performance and an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the associations of plasma KP metabolites (kynurenine [KYN], kynurenic acid [KA], and tryptophan [TRP]) with a panel of plasma ADRD biomarkers (Aβ42/ β40 ratio, pTau-181, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], and neurofilament light [NfL]) and cognitive performance in a subset of older adults drawn from the Duke Physical Performance Across the LifeSpan (PALS) study. METHODS The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess cognitive performance. We used multivariate multiple regression to evaluate associations of the KYN/TRP and KA/KYN ratios with MoCA score and plasma ADRD biomarkers at baseline and over two years (n = 301; Age = 74.8±8.7). RESULTS Over two years, an increasing KYN/TRP ratio was associated with increasing plasma concentrations of plasma p-Tau181 (β= 6.151; 95% CI [0.29, 12.01]; p = 0.040), GFAP (β= 11.12; 95% CI [1.73, 20.51]; p = 0.020), and NfL (β= 11.13; 95% CI [2.745, 19.52]; p = 0.009), but not MoCA score or the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. There were no significant associations of KA/KYN with MoCA score or plasma ADRD biomarkers. CONCLUSION Our findings provide evidence that greater concentrations of KP metabolites are associated longitudinally over two years with greater biomarker evidence of neurofibrillary tau pathology (pTau-181), neuroinflammation (GFAP), and neurodegeneration (NfL), suggesting that dysregulated KP metabolism may play a role in ADRD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Parker
- Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
| | - William E Kraus
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Heather E Whitson
- Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Virginia B Kraus
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Patrick J Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Harvey Jay Cohen
- Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Carl F Pieper
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Richard A Faldowski
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Katherine S Hall
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Janet L Huebner
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Olga R Ilkayeva
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Durham, NC, USA
| | - James R Bain
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition, Durham, NC, USA
| | - L Kristin Newby
- Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kim M Huffman
- Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke University School of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Durham, NC, USA
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17
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Pallotta MT, Rossini S, Suvieri C, Coletti A, Orabona C, Macchiarulo A, Volpi C, Grohmann U. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1): an up-to-date overview of an eclectic immunoregulatory enzyme. FEBS J 2022; 289:6099-6118. [PMID: 34145969 PMCID: PMC9786828 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) catalyzes the initial rate-limiting step in the degradation of the essential amino acid tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway. When discovered more than 50 years ago, IDO1 was thought to be an effector molecule capable of mediating a survival strategy based on the deprivation of bacteria and tumor cells of the essential amino acid tryptophan. Since 1998, when tryptophan catabolism was discovered to be crucially involved in the maintenance of maternal T-cell tolerance, IDO1 has become the focus of several laboratories around the world. Indeed, IDO1 is now considered as an authentic immune regulator not only in pregnancy, but also in autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and tumor immunity. However, in the last years, a bulk of new information-including structural, biological, and functional evidence-on IDO1 has come to light. For instance, we now know that IDO1 has a peculiar conformational plasticity and, in addition to a complex and highly regulated catalytic activity, is capable of performing a nonenzymic function that reprograms the expression profile of immune cells toward a highly immunoregulatory phenotype. With this state-of-the-art review, we aimed at gathering the most recent information obtained for this eclectic protein as well as at highlighting the major unresolved questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofia Rossini
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PerugiaItaly
| | - Chiara Suvieri
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PerugiaItaly
| | - Alice Coletti
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of PerugiaItaly
| | - Ciriana Orabona
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PerugiaItaly
| | | | - Claudia Volpi
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PerugiaItaly
| | - Ursula Grohmann
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of PerugiaItaly
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Almulla AF, Supasitthumrong T, Amrapala A, Tunvirachaisakul C, Jaleel AKKA, Oxenkrug G, Al-Hakeim HK, Maes M. The Tryptophan Catabolite or Kynurenine Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:1325-1339. [PMID: 35786655 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is characterized by progressive brain dysfunction and memory loss, is one of the most significant global health concerns for older adults. Neuroinflammation and increased oxidative stress contribute to the pathophysiology of AD, thereby presumably inducing tryptophan (TRP) degradation through the TRP catabolite (TRYCAT) pathway. OBJECTIVE To delineate the activity of the TRYCAT pathway along with levels of TRP and tryptophan catabolites (TRYCATs) in AD patients. METHODS We used PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and SciFinder during the month of January 2022 to gather the pertinent publications. We found 19 eligible articles which involved 738 patients and 665 healthy controls. RESULTS Our results revealed a significant difference (p = 0.008) in the kynurenine (KYN)/TRP ratio (standardized mean difference, SMD = 0.216, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.057; 0.376), and a significant decrease in TRP in AD patients (SMD = -0.520, 95% CI: -0.738; -0.302, p < 0.0001). Moreover, we also found a significant increase in the central nervous system (CNS), brain, and cerebrospinal fluid kynurenic acid (KA)/KYN ratio but not in peripheral blood, as well as a significant decrease in plasma KA and xanthurenic acid in the CNS and blood. CONCLUSION AD is characterized by TRP depletion but not by an overactivity of the TRYCAT pathway. IDO-induced production of neurotoxic TRYCATs is not a key factor in the pathophysiology of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbas F Almulla
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | | | - Arisara Amrapala
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Al-Karrar Kais Abdul Jaleel
- Medical Laboratory Technology Department, College of Medical Technology, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Gregory Oxenkrug
- Department of Psychiatry, Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.,Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.,Department of Psychiatry, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Hosseinalizadeh H, Mahmoodpour M, Samadani AA, Roudkenar MH. The immunosuppressive role of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase in glioblastoma: mechanism of action and immunotherapeutic strategies. Med Oncol 2022; 39:130. [PMID: 35716323 PMCID: PMC9206138 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01724-w] [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: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a fatal brain tumor in adults with a bleak diagnosis. Expansion of immunosuppressive and malignant CD4 + FoxP3 + GITR + regulatory T cells is one of the hallmarks of GBM. Importantly, most of the patients with GBM expresses the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). While IDO1 is generally not expressed at appreciable levels in the adult central nervous system, it is rapidly stimulated and highly expressed in response to ongoing immune surveillance in cancer. Increased levels of immune surveillance in cancer are thus related to higher intratumoral IDO expression levels and, as a result, a worse OS in GBM patients. Conversion of the important amino acid tryptophan into downstream catabolite known as kynurenines is the major function of IDO. Decreasing tryptophan and increasing the concentration of immunomodulatory tryptophan metabolites has been shown to induce T-cell apoptosis, increase immunosuppressive programming, and death of tumor antigen-presenting dendritic cells. This observation supported the immunotherapeutic strategy, and the targeted molecular therapy that suppresses IDO1 activity. We review the current understanding of the role of IDO1 in tumor immunological escape in brain tumors, the immunomodulatory effects of its primary catabolites, preclinical research targeting this enzymatic pathway, and various issues that need to be overcome to increase the prospective immunotherapeutic relevance in the treatment of GBM malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Hosseinalizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Mahmoodpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Paramedicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Samadani
- Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Mehryar Habibi Roudkenar
- Burn and Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Velayat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Parastar St., 41887-94755, Rasht, Iran.
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20
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Microbial-derived metabolites as a risk factor of age-related cognitive decline and dementia. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:43. [PMID: 35715821 PMCID: PMC9204954 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00548-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A consequence of our progressively ageing global population is the increasing prevalence of worldwide age-related cognitive decline and dementia. In the absence of effective therapeutic interventions, identifying risk factors associated with cognitive decline becomes increasingly vital. Novel perspectives suggest that a dynamic bidirectional communication system between the gut, its microbiome, and the central nervous system, commonly referred to as the microbiota-gut-brain axis, may be a contributing factor for cognitive health and disease. However, the exact mechanisms remain undefined. Microbial-derived metabolites produced in the gut can cross the intestinal epithelial barrier, enter systemic circulation and trigger physiological responses both directly and indirectly affecting the central nervous system and its functions. Dysregulation of this system (i.e., dysbiosis) can modulate cytotoxic metabolite production, promote neuroinflammation and negatively impact cognition. In this review, we explore critical connections between microbial-derived metabolites (secondary bile acids, trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), tryptophan derivatives and others) and their influence upon cognitive function and neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular interest in their less-explored role as risk factors of cognitive decline.
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21
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Cespedes M, Jacobs KR, Maruff P, Rembach A, Fowler CJ, Trounson B, Pertile KK, Rumble RL, Rainey-Smithe SR, Rowe CC, Villemagne VL, Bourgeat P, Lim CK, Chatterjee P, Martins RN, Ittner A, Masters CL, Doecke JD, Guillemin GJ, Lovejoy DB. Systemic perturbations of the kynurenine pathway precede progression to dementia independently of amyloid-β. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 171:105783. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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de Oliveira JADP, de Athaide MM, Rahman AU, de Mattos Barbosa MG, Jardim MM, Moraes MO, Pinheiro RO. Kynurenines in the Pathogenesis of Peripheral Neuropathy During Leprosy and COVID-19. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:815738. [PMID: 35281455 PMCID: PMC8907883 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.815738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory disorders are associated with the activation of tryptophan (TRYP) catabolism via the kynurenine pathway (KP). Several reports have demonstrated the role of KP in the immunopathophysiology of both leprosy and coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The nervous system can be affected in infections caused by both Mycobacterium leprae and SARS-CoV-2, but the mechanisms involved in the peripheral neural damage induced by these infectious agents are not fully understood. In recent years KP has received greater attention due the importance of kynurenine metabolites in infectious diseases, immune dysfunction and nervous system disorders. In this review, we discuss how modulation of the KP may aid in controlling the damage to peripheral nerves and the effects of KP activation on neural damage during leprosy or COVID-19 individually and we speculate its role during co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Atta Ur Rahman
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marcia Maria Jardim
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Milton Ozório Moraes
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberta Olmo Pinheiro
- Leprosy Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Roberta Olmo Pinheiro,
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Sharma VK, Singh TG, Prabhakar NK, Mannan A. Kynurenine Metabolism and Alzheimer's Disease: The Potential Targets and Approaches. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:1459-1476. [PMID: 35133568 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-022-03546-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid, regulates protein homeostasis and plays a role in neurotransmitter-mediated physiological events. It also influences age-associated neurological alterations and neurodegenerative changes. The metabolism of tryptophan is carried majorly through the kynurenine route, leading to the production of several pharmacologically active enzymes, substrates, and metabolites. These metabolites and enzymes influence a variety of physiological and pathological outcomes of the majority of systems, including endocrine, haemopoietic, gastrointestinal, immunomodulatory, inflammatory, bioenergetic metabolism, and neuronal functions. An extensive literature review of PubMed, Medline, Bentham, Scopus, and EMBASE (Elsevier) databases was carried out to understand the nature of the extensive work done on the kynurenine metabolites that influence cellular redox potential, immunoregulatory mechanisms, inflammatory pathways, cell survival channels, and cellular communication in close association with several neurodegenerative changes. The imbalanced state of kynurenine pathways has found a close association to several pathological disorders, including HIV infections, cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative and neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and has found special attention in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Kynurenine pathway (KP) is intricately linked to AD pathogenesis owing to the influence of kynurenine metabolites on excitotoxic neurotransmission, oxidative stress, uptake of neurotransmitters, and modulation of neuroinflammation, amyloid aggregation, microtubule disruption, and their ability to induce a state of dysbiosis. Pharmacological modulation of KP pathways has shown encouraging results, indicating that it may be a viable and explorable target for the therapy of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Kumar Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India
- Govt. College of Pharmacy, Rohru, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, 171207, India
| | - Thakur Gurjeet Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India.
| | | | - Ashi Mannan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140401, India
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Kim CK, Sachdev PS, Braidy N. Recent Neurotherapeutic Strategies to Promote Healthy Brain Aging: Are we there yet? Aging Dis 2022; 13:175-214. [PMID: 35111369 PMCID: PMC8782556 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to the global exponential increase in population ageing, there is an urgent unmet need to develop reliable strategies to slow down and delay the ageing process. Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are among the main causes of morbidity and mortality in our contemporary society and represent a major socio-economic burden. There are several controversial factors that are thought to play a causal role in brain ageing which are continuously being examined in experimental models. Among them are oxidative stress and brain inflammation which are empirical to brain ageing. Although some candidate drugs have been developed which reduce the ageing phenotype, their clinical translation is limited. There are several strategies currently in development to improve brain ageing. These include strategies such as caloric restriction, ketogenic diet, promotion of cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, removal of senescent cells, 'young blood' transfusions, enhancement of adult neurogenesis, stem cell therapy, vascular risk reduction, and non-pharmacological lifestyle strategies. Several studies have shown that these strategies can not only improve brain ageing by attenuating age-related neurodegenerative disease mechanisms, but also maintain cognitive function in a variety of pre-clinical experimental murine models. However, clinical evidence is limited and many of these strategies are awaiting findings from large-scale clinical trials which are nascent in the current literature. Further studies are needed to determine their long-term efficacy and lack of adverse effects in various tissues and organs to gain a greater understanding of their potential beneficial effects on brain ageing and health span in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chul-Kyu Kim
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Perminder S Sachdev
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, Euroa Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nady Braidy
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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25
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The Kynurenine Pathway and Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase Inhibitors. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27010273. [PMID: 35011505 PMCID: PMC8747024 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27010273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Under normal physiological conditions, the kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a critical role in generating cellular energy and catabolizing tryptophan. Under inflammatory conditions, however, there is an upregulation of the KP enzymes, particularly kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO). KMO has garnered much attention due to its production of toxic metabolites that have been implicated in many diseases and disorders. With many of these illnesses having an inadequate or modest treatment, there exists a need to develop KMO inhibitors that reduce the production of these toxic metabolites. Though prior efforts to find an appropriate KMO inhibitor were unpromising, the development of a KMO crystal structure has provided the opportunity for a rational structure-based design in the development of inhibitors. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to describe the kynurenine pathway, the kynurenine 3-monooxygenase enzyme, and KMO inhibitors and their potential candidacy for clinical use.
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26
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She J, Sheng R, Qin ZH. Pharmacology and Potential Implications of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Precursors. Aging Dis 2021; 12:1879-1897. [PMID: 34881075 PMCID: PMC8612620 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.0523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coenzyme I (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+/NADH) and coenzyme II (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NADP+/NADPH) are involved in various biological processes in mammalian cells. NAD+ is synthesised through the de novo and salvage pathways, whereas coenzyme II cannot be synthesised de novo. NAD+ is a precursor of coenzyme II. Although NAD+ is synthesised in sufficient amounts under normal conditions, shortage in its supply due to over consumption and its decreased synthesis has been observed with increasing age and under certain disease conditions. Several studies have proved that in a wide range of tissues, such as liver, skin, muscle, pancreas, and fat, the level of NAD+ decreases with age. However, in the brain tissue, the level of NADH gradually increases and that of NAD+ decreases in aged people. The ratio of NAD+/NADH indicates the cellular redox state. A decrease in this ratio affects the cellular anaerobic glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation functions, which reduces the ability of cells to produce ATP. Therefore, increasing the exogenous NAD+ supply under certain disease conditions or in elderly people may be beneficial. Precursors of NAD+ have been extensively explored and have been reported to effectively increase NAD+ levels and possess a broad range of functions. In this review article, we discuss the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of NAD+ precursors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing She
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Rui Sheng
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Zheng-Hong Qin
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
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Lucchetti J, Fumagalli F, Olivari D, Affatato R, Fracasso C, De Giorgio D, Perego C, Motta F, Passoni A, Staszewsky L, Novelli D, Magliocca A, Garattini S, Latini R, Ristagno G, Gobbi M. Brain Kynurenine Pathway and Functional Outcome of Rats Resuscitated From Cardiac Arrest. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e021071. [PMID: 34816736 PMCID: PMC9075408 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.021071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Brain injury and neurological deficit are consequences of cardiac arrest (CA), leading to high morbidity and mortality. Peripheral activation of the kynurenine pathway (KP), the main catabolic route of tryptophan metabolized at first into kynurenine, predicts poor neurological outcome in patients resuscitated after out-of-hospital CA. Here, we investigated KP activation in hippocampus and plasma of rats resuscitated from CA, evaluating the effect of KP modulation in preventing CA-induced neurological deficit. Methods and Results Early KP activation was first demonstrated in 28 rats subjected to electrically induced CA followed by cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Hippocampal levels of the neuroactive metabolites kynurenine, 3-hydroxy-anthranilic acid, and kynurenic acid were higher 2 hours after CA, as in plasma. Further, 36 rats were randomized to receive the inhibitor of the first step of KP, 1-methyl-DL-tryptophan, or vehicle, before CA. No differences were observed in hemodynamics and myocardial function. The CA-induced KP activation, sustained up to 96 hours in hippocampus (and plasma) of vehicle-treated rats, was counteracted by the inhibitor as indicated by lower hippocampal (and plasmatic) kynurenine/tryptophan ratio and kynurenine levels. 1-Methyl-DL-tryptophan reduced the CA-induced neurological deficits, with a significant correlation between the neurological score and the individual kynurenine levels, as well as the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, in plasma and hippocampus. Conclusions These data demonstrate the CA-induced lasting activation of the first step of the KP in hippocampus, showing that this activation was involved in the evolving neurological deficit. The degree of peripheral activation of KP may predict neurological function after CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Lucchetti
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular PharmacologyIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Francesca Fumagalli
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Davide Olivari
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Roberta Affatato
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Claudia Fracasso
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular PharmacologyIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Daria De Giorgio
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Carlo Perego
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Francesca Motta
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Alice Passoni
- Department of Environmental Health SciencesIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Lidia Staszewsky
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Deborah Novelli
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Aurora Magliocca
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | | | - Roberto Latini
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Giuseppe Ristagno
- Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care and EmergencyFondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore PoliclinicoMilanItaly
- Department of Pathophysiology and TransplantationUniversity of MilanItaly
| | - Marco Gobbi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular PharmacologyIstituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCSMilanItaly
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Özkılıç Y, Tüzün NŞ. Computational Survey of Recent Experimental Developments in the Hydroxylation Mechanism of Kynurenine 3-Monooxygenase. J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:9459-9477. [PMID: 34676771 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c05397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently, two new mechanistic proposals for the kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) catalyzed hydroxylation reaction of l-Kynurenine (l-Kyn) have been proposed. According to the first proposal, instead of the distal oxygen, the proximal oxygen of the hydroperoxide intermediate of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is transferred to the substrate ring. The second study proposes that l-Kyn participates in its base form in the reaction. To address these proposals, the reaction was reconsidered with a 386 atom quantum cluster model that is based on a recent X-ray structure (PDB id: 6FOX). The computations were carried out at the UB3LYP/6-311+G(2d,2p)//UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level with solvation (polarizable continuum model) and dispersion (DFT-D3(BJ)) corrections. To supplement the results of the density functional theory (DFT) calculations, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the protein-substrate complex were employed. The comparison of a proximal oxygen transfer mechanism to the distal oxygen transfer mechanism revealed that the former requires too high of a barrier energy while the latter validated our previous results. According to the MD simulations, the hydroperoxy moiety does not favor an alignment that might promote the proximal oxygen transfer mechanism. In the second part of the study, hydroxylation reaction with the base form of l-Kyn was sought. Although DFT calculations confirmed a much more facile reaction with the base form of l-Kyn, a mechanism which would allow the deprotonation of the l-Kyn before the oxygen transfer could not be determined with the X-ray-based positions. A concerted mechanism with both the oxygen transfer and the deprotonation required a high barrier energy. A stepwise mechanism involving the deprotonation of l-Kyn was found, starting from an MD frame. The overall barrier of the oxygen transfer step of this model was found to be in the range of that of with neutral l-Kyn. MD simulations supported the idea of ineffectiveness of the nearby shell surrounding the utilized active site core on the deprotonation of l-Kyn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yılmaz Özkılıç
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Letters, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
| | - Nurcan Ş Tüzün
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Letters, Istanbul Technical University, Maslak, Istanbul 34469, Turkey
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Klatt S, Doecke JD, Roberts A, Boughton BA, Masters CL, Horne M, Roberts BR. A six-metabolite panel as potential blood-based biomarkers for Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2021; 7:94. [PMID: 34650080 PMCID: PMC8516864 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-021-00239-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Characterisation and diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD) is a current challenge that hampers both clinical assessment and clinical trial development with the potential inclusion of non-PD cases. Here, we used a targeted mass spectrometry approach to quantify 38 metabolites extracted from the serum of 231 individuals. This cohort is currently one of the largest metabolomic studies including iPD patients, drug-naïve iPD, healthy controls and patients with Alzheimer's disease as a disease-specific control group. We identified six metabolites (3-hydroxykynurenine, aspartate, beta-alanine, homoserine, ornithine (Orn) and tyrosine) that are significantly altered between iPD patients and control participants. A multivariate model to predict iPD from controls had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.905, with an accuracy of 86.2%. This panel of metabolites may serve as a potential prognostic or diagnostic assay for clinical trial prescreening, or for aiding in diagnosing pathological disease in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Klatt
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - James D Doecke
- Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, CSIRO, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Anne Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Berin A Boughton
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Australian National Phenome Centre, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Colin L Masters
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Malcolm Horne
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Blaine R Roberts
- Department of Biochemistry, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Behl T, Kaur I, Sehgal A, Singh S, Bhatia S, Al-Harrasi A, Zengin G, Bumbu AG, Andronie-Cioara FL, Nechifor AC, Gitea D, Bungau AF, Toma MM, Bungau SG. The Footprint of Kynurenine Pathway in Neurodegeneration: Janus-Faced Role in Parkinson's Disorder and Therapeutic Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6737. [PMID: 34201647 PMCID: PMC8268239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive degeneration of neurons and aggravation of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta results in the loss of dopamine in the brain of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Numerous therapies, exhibiting transient efficacy have been developed; however, they are mostly accompanied by side effects and limited reliability, therefore instigating the need to develop novel optimistic treatment targets. Significant therapeutic targets have been identified, namely: chaperones, protein Abelson, glucocerebrosidase-1, calcium, neuromelanin, ubiquitin-proteasome system, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the kynurenine pathway (KP). The role of KP and its metabolites and enzymes in PD, namely quinolinic acid (QUIN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), 3-hydroxyanthranillic acid (3-HAA), kunurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO), etc. has been reported. The neurotoxic QUIN, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonist, and neuroprotective KYNA-which antagonizes QUIN actions-primarily justify the Janus-faced role of KP in PD. Moreover, KP has been reported to play a biomarker role in PD detection. Therefore, the authors detail the neurotoxic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory neuroactive components, alongside the upstream and downstream metabolic pathways of KP, forming a basis for a therapeutic paradigm of the disease while recognizing KP as a potential biomarker in PD, thus facilitating the development of a suitable target in PD management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Behl
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Ishnoor Kaur
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab 140401, India; (I.K.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Saurabh Bhatia
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Gurugram, Haryana 122412, India;
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, P.O. Box 33, PC 616 Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa 611, Oman;
| | - Ahmed Al-Harrasi
- Natural and Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, P.O. Box 33, PC 616 Birkat Al Mouz, Nizwa 611, Oman;
| | - Gokhan Zengin
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Selcuk University Campus, Konya 42130, Turkey;
| | - Adrian Gheorghe Bumbu
- Department of Surgical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Felicia Liana Andronie-Cioara
- Department of Psycho-Neuroscience and Recovery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Aurelia Cristina Nechifor
- Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Department, Polytechnic University of Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Daniela Gitea
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (D.G.); (M.M.T.)
| | | | - Mirela Marioara Toma
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (D.G.); (M.M.T.)
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
| | - Simona Gabriela Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410028 Oradea, Romania; (D.G.); (M.M.T.)
- Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania
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Sandi D, Fricska-Nagy Z, Bencsik K, Vécsei L. Neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis: Symptoms of Silent Progression, Biomarkers and Neuroprotective Therapy-Kynurenines Are Important Players. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113423. [PMID: 34198750 PMCID: PMC8201043 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is one of the driving forces behind the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Progression without activity, pathopsychological disturbances (cognitive impairment, depression, fatigue) and even optic neuropathy seems to be mainly routed in this mechanism. In this article, we aim to give a comprehensive review of the clinical aspects and symptomology, radiological and molecular markers and potential therapeutic targets of neurodegeneration in connection with MS. As the kynurenine pathway (KP) was evidenced to play an important role in the pathogenesis of other neurodegenerative conditions (even implied to have a causative role in some of these diseases) and more and more recent evidence suggest the same central role in the neurodegenerative processes of MS as well, we pay special attention to the KP. Metabolites of the pathway are researched as biomarkers of the disease and new, promising data arising from clinical evaluations show the possible therapeutic capability of KP metabolites as neuroprotective drugs in MS. Our conclusion is that the kynurenine pathway is a highly important route of research both for diagnostic and for therapeutic values and is expected to yield concrete results for everyday medicine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dániel Sandi
- Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (Z.F.-N.); (K.B.)
| | - Zsanett Fricska-Nagy
- Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (Z.F.-N.); (K.B.)
| | - Krisztina Bencsik
- Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (Z.F.-N.); (K.B.)
| | - László Vécsei
- Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (D.S.); (Z.F.-N.); (K.B.)
- MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-62-545-384; Fax: +36-62-545-597
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Pukoli D, Polyák H, Rajda C, Vécsei L. Kynurenines and Neurofilament Light Chain in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:658202. [PMID: 34113231 PMCID: PMC8185147 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.658202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. In recent years, it has been proven that the kynurenine system plays a significant role in the development of several nervous system disorders, including multiple sclerosis. Kynurenine pathway metabolites have both neurotoxic and neuroprotective effects. Moreover, the enzymes of the kynurenine pathway play an important role in immunomodulation processes, among others, as well as interacting with neuronal energy balance and various redox reactions. Dysregulation of many of the enzymatic steps in kynurenine pathway and upregulated levels of these metabolites locally in the central nervous system, contribute to the progression of multiple sclerosis pathology. This process can initiate a pathogenic cascade, including microglia activation, glutamate excitotoxicity, chronic oxidative stress or accumulated mitochondrial damage in the axons, that finally disrupt the homeostasis of neurons, leads to destabilization of neuronal cell cytoskeleton, contributes to neuro-axonal damage and neurodegeneration. Neurofilaments are good biomarkers of the neuro-axonal damage and their level reliably indicates the severity of multiple sclerosis and the treatment response. There is increasing evidence that connections exist between the molecules generated in the kynurenine metabolic pathway and the change in neurofilament concentrations. Thus the alterations in the kynurenine pathway may be an important biomarker of the course of multiple sclerosis. In our present review, we report the possible relationship and connection between neurofilaments and the kynurenine system in multiple sclerosis based on the available evidences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dániel Pukoli
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,Department of Neurology, Vaszary Kolos Hospital, Esztergom, Hungary
| | - Helga Polyák
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Cecilia Rajda
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Vécsei
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.,MTA-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Więdłocha M, Marcinowicz P, Janoska-Jaździk M, Szulc A. Gut microbiota, kynurenine pathway and mental disorders - Review. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 106:110145. [PMID: 33203568 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The intestine and the gut-associated limphoid tissue constitute the largest immunity organ of the human body. Among several possible tryptophan metabolism routes, the kynurenine pathway can be influenced by the gut microbiota. Disturbances of gut biodiversity may cause increased gut permeability and cause systemic inflammation, also related to central nervous system. Proinflammatory cytokines induce kynurenine pathway enzymes resulting in formation of neuroactive metabolites, which are being associated with several psychiatric disorders. The kynurenine pathway may also be influenced by certain bacteria species directly. The aim of this review is to highlight the current knowledge on the interaction of gut microbiota and the central nervous system with the kynurenine pathway taken into special account. Up to date study results on specific psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorders, depression and alcoholism are presented. Available evidence suggests that toxicity of kynurenine metabolites may be reduced by adjunction of probiotics which can affect proinflammatory cytokines. Due to their potential for modulation of the kynurenine pathway, gut microbiota pose an interesting target for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Więdłocha
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Piotr Marcinowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Agata Szulc
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland
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Kynurenic Acid Protects Against Reactive Glial-associated Reductions in the Complexity of Primary Cortical Neurons. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2021; 16:679-692. [DOI: 10.1007/s11481-020-09976-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Natural Molecules and Neuroprotection: Kynurenic Acid, Pantethine and α-Lipoic Acid. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22010403. [PMID: 33401674 PMCID: PMC7795784 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases has increased greatly worldwide due to the rise in life expectancy. In spite of notable development in the understanding of these disorders, there has been limited success in the development of neuroprotective agents that can slow the progression of the disease and prevent neuronal death. Some natural products and molecules are very promising neuroprotective agents because of their structural diversity and wide variety of biological activities. In addition to their neuroprotective effect, they are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects and often serve as a starting point for drug discovery. In this review, the following natural molecules are discussed: firstly, kynurenic acid, the main neuroprotective agent formed via the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism, as it is known mainly for its role in glutamate excitotoxicity, secondly, the dietary supplement pantethine, that is many sided, well tolerated and safe, and the third molecule, α-lipoic acid is a universal antioxidant. As a conclusion, because of their beneficial properties, these molecules are potential candidates for neuroprotective therapies suitable in managing neurodegenerative diseases.
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Park JK, Lee KJ, Kim JY, Kim H. The Association of Blood-Based Inflammatory Factors IL-1β, TGF-β and CRP with Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Psychiatry Investig 2021; 18:11-18. [PMID: 33561929 PMCID: PMC7897864 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2020.0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Many patients suffer from dementia in its most common form, Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, the levels of IL-1β, TGF-β and CRP, which are involved in the inflammatory response in Alzheimer's disease and its mild cognitive impairment (MCI), were measured and analyzed. METHODS Seventy nine subjects participated in this study (mean age: 75.56 years, female: 54.3%, AD: 26, MCI: 28, normal: 25). The overall cognitive function of the subjects and the severity of the disease stage were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Depression Scale-Korean (GDS-K). RESULTS It was observed that patients with AD had significantly higher levels of IL-1β and TGF-β than the patients with MCI and normal controls. In addition, the MCI group showed a statistically significantly higher TGF-β concentration than the normal group. CONCLUSION These results suggest that IL-1β and TGF-β may be useful biological markers for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Kyung Park
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Joon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Yeon Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, College of Medicine, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Inje University, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
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37
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Bhat A, Tan V, Heng B, Lovejoy DB, Sakharkar MK, Essa MM, Chidambaram SB, Guillemin GJ. Roflumilast, a cAMP-Specific Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor, Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Synapse Functions in Human Cortical Neurons Exposed to the Excitotoxin Quinolinic Acid. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:4405-4415. [PMID: 33261317 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzymes is reported in several neurodegenerative diseases. PDE4 depletes cyclic 3'-5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and, in turn, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the key players in cognitive function. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism behind the protective effects of roflumilast (ROF), a cAMP-specific PDE4 inhibitor, against quinolinic acid (QUIN)-induced neurotoxicity using human primary cortical neurons. Cytotoxicity was analyzed using an MTS assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by DCF-DA and JC-10 staining, respectively. Caspase 3/7 activity was measured using an ApoTox-Glo Triplex assay kit. cAMP was measured using an ELISA kit. The protein expression of CREB, BDNF, SAP-97, synaptophysin, synapsin-I, and PSD-95 was analyzed by the Western blotting technique. QUIN exposure down-regulated CREB, BDNF, and synaptic protein expression in neurons. Pretreatment with ROF increased the intracellular cAMP, mitochondrial membrane potential, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) content and decreased the ROS and caspase 3/7 levels in QUIN-exposed neurons. ROF up-regulated the expression of synapse proteins SAP-97, synaptophysin, synapsin-I, PSD-95, and CREB and BDNF, which indicates its potential role in memory. This study suggests for the first time that QUIN causes pre- and postsynaptic protein damage. We further demonstrate the restorative effects of ROF on the mitochondrial membrane potential and antiapoptotic properties in human neurons. These data encourage further investigations to reposition ROF in neurodegenerative diseases and their associated cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Bhat
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagar, Mysuru, Karnataka 570015, India
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Vanessa Tan
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Benjamin Heng
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - David B. Lovejoy
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Meena Kishore Sakharkar
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5A2, Canada
| | - Musthafa Mohamed Essa
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, CAMS, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
- Ageing and Dementia Research Group, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Saravana Babu Chidambaram
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagar, Mysuru, Karnataka 570015, India
- Centre for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, Karnataka 570015, India
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
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Török N, Tanaka M, Vécsei L. Searching for Peripheral Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Tryptophan-Kynurenine Metabolic Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9338. [PMID: 33302404 PMCID: PMC7762583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are multifactorial, initiated by a series of the causative complex which develops into a certain clinical picture. The pathogenesis and disease course vary from patient to patient. Thus, it should be likewise to the treatment. Peripheral biomarkers are to play a central role for tailoring a personalized therapeutic plan for patients who suffered from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, among others. Nevertheless, the use of biomarkers in clinical practice is still underappreciated and data presented in biomarker research for clinical use is still uncompelling, compared to the abundant data available for drug research and development. So is the case with kynurenines (KYNs) and the kynurenine pathway (KP) enzymes, which have been associated with a wide range of diseases including cancer, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurologic diseases, and psychiatric disorders. This review article discusses current knowledge of KP alterations observed in the central nervous system as well as the periphery, its involvement in pathogenesis and disease progression, and emerging evidence of roles of microbiota in the gut-brain axis, searching for practical peripheral biomarkers which ensure personalized treatment plans for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nóra Török
- MTA-SZTE, Neuroscience Research Group, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.T.); (M.T.)
| | - Masaru Tanaka
- MTA-SZTE, Neuroscience Research Group, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.T.); (M.T.)
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Vécsei
- MTA-SZTE, Neuroscience Research Group, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (N.T.); (M.T.)
- Department of Neurology, Interdisciplinary Excellence Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
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Zhang S, Collier MEW, Heyes DJ, Giorgini F, Scrutton NS. Advantages of brain penetrating inhibitors of kynurenine-3-monooxygenase for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Arch Biochem Biophys 2020; 697:108702. [PMID: 33275878 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) is an important therapeutic target for several brain disorders that has been extensively studied in recent years. Potent inhibitors towards KMO have been developed and tested within different disease models, showing great therapeutic potential, especially in models of neurodegenerative disease. The inhibition of KMO reduces the production of downstream toxic kynurenine pathway metabolites and shifts the flux to the formation of the neuroprotectant kynurenic acid. However, the efficacy of KMO inhibitors in neurodegenerative disease has been limited by their poor brain permeability. Combined with virtual screening and prodrug strategies, a novel brain penetrating KMO inhibitor has been developed which dramatically decreases neurotoxic metabolites. This review highlights the importance of KMO as a drug target in neurological disease and the benefits of brain permeable inhibitors in modulating kynurenine pathway metabolites in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaowei Zhang
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Mary E W Collier
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Derren J Heyes
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Flaviano Giorgini
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Nigel S Scrutton
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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Braidy N, Alicajic H, Pow D, Smith J, Jugder BE, Brew BJ, Nicolazzo JA, Guillemin GJ. Potential Mechanism of Cellular Uptake of the Excitotoxin Quinolinic Acid in Primary Human Neurons. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 58:34-54. [PMID: 32894500 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02046-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), excessive amounts of quinolinic acid (QUIN) accumulate within the brain parenchyma and dystrophic neurons. QUIN also regulates glutamate uptake into neurons, which may be due to modulation of Na+-dependent excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). To determine the biological relationships between QUIN and glutamate dysfunction, we first quantified the functionality and kinetics of [3H]QUIN uptake in primary human neurons using liquid scintillation. We then measured changes in the protein expression of the glutamate transporter EAAT3 and EAAT1b in primary neurons treated with QUIN and the EAAT inhibitor L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (2,4-PDC) using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry was further used to elucidate intracellular transport of exogenous QUIN and the lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2). Structural insights into the binding between QUIN and EAAT3 were further investigated using molecular docking techniques. We report significant temperature-dependent high-affinity transport leading to neuronal uptake of [3H]QUIN with a Km of 42.2 μM, and a Vmax of 9.492 pmol/2 min/mg protein, comparable with the uptake of glutamate. We also found that QUIN increases expression of the EAAT3 monomer while decreasing the functional trimer. QUIN uptake into primary neurons was shown to involve EAAT3 as uptake was significantly attenuated following EAAT inhibition. We also demonstrated that QUIN increases the expression of aberrant EAAT1b protein in neurons further implicating QUIN-induced glutamate dysfunction. Furthermore, we demonstrated that QUIN is metabolised exclusively in lysosomes. The involvement of EAAT3 as a modulator for QUIN uptake was further confirmed using molecular docking. This study is the first to characterise a mechanism for QUIN uptake into primary human neurons involving EAAT3, opening potential targets to attenuate QUIN-induced excitotoxicity in neuroinflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nady Braidy
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
- School of Medicine, Huzhou University, Wuxing District, Huzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Hayden Alicajic
- Neuropharmacology group, MND and Neurodegenerative diseases Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2019, Australia
| | - David Pow
- University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jason Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Bat-Erdene Jugder
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bruce J Brew
- St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Neurology and HIV Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joseph A Nicolazzo
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuropharmacology group, MND and Neurodegenerative diseases Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2019, Australia.
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In silico methods predict new blood-brain barrier permeable structure for the inhibition of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase. J Mol Graph Model 2020; 100:107701. [PMID: 32805560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2020.107701] [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: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) regulates the levels of bioactive substances in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism and its activity is tied to so many diseases that finding an appropriate inhibitor for KMO has become an urgent task. This especially proved to be difficult for the central nervous system related diseases due to the requirement that the supposed inhibitor should be both blood brain barrier permeable and should not cause hydrogen peroxide as a harmful side product. In this in silico study, we present our step-wise approach, whose starting point is based on the important experimental observations. To tackle the problem, a library of 7561938 structures was obtained from Zinc15 database utilizing the tranche browser. From this library, a subset of 501777 structures was determined with the considerations of their functional groups that constrain their applicability. Then, the binding affinity ranking of this set of structures was determined via virtual screening. Starting from the structures whose affinities are the highest among this subset, the ADMET properties were checked through in silico methods and the binding properties of the selected inhibitor candidates were further investigated via molecular dynamics simulations and MM/GBSA calculations. According to the computational results of this study, ZINC_71915355 has passed all the evaluations and is a potentially BBB permeable structure that can inhibit KMO. Additionally, ZINC_19827377 was identified as a new potential KMO inhibitor which may be more suitable for peripheral administration. From the in silico study presented herein, ZINC_71915355 and ZINC_19827377 structures, which showed high binding affinity without harmful H2O2 production, along with the tailored properties can now serve as powerful candidates for KMO inhibition and these hits are worth of further experimental validation.
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Meier TB, Nitta ME, Teague TK, Nelson LD, McCrea MA, Savitz J. Prospective study of the effects of sport-related concussion on serum kynurenine pathway metabolites. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 87:715-724. [PMID: 32147388 PMCID: PMC7316609 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Reports of neurodegenerative and psychiatric disease in former athletes have increased public concern about the acute and chronic effects of sport-related concussions (SRC). The biological factors underlying individual differences in the psychiatric sequalae of SRC and their role in potential long-term negative outcomes have not been determined. One understudied biological consequence of the known inflammatory response to concussion is the activation of a key immunoregulatory pathway, the kynurenine pathway (KP). Activation of the KP produces several neuroactive metabolites that have been associated with psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. We tested the hypothesis that SRC results in an elevation of serum KP metabolites with neurotoxic properties (quinolinic acid [QuinA], 3-hydroxykynurenine [3HK]) together with a reduction in the neuroprotective metabolite kynurenic acid (KynA), and that these metabolites would predict post-concussion psychological symptoms. Additionally, because brain injury is thought to prime the immune system, a secondary goal was to test the hypothesis that athletes with acute SRC and a history of prior SRC would have elevated neurotoxic relative to neuroprotective KP metabolites compared to athletes that were concussed for the first time. High school and collegiate football players (N = 1136) were enrolled at a preseason baseline visit that included clinical testing and blood specimen collection. Athletes that suffered a SRC (N = 59) completed follow-up visits within 6-hours (early-acute), at 24-48 h (late-acute) and at 8, 15, and 45 days post-injury. Uninjured contact sport (CC; N = 54) and non-contact sport athletes completed similar visits and served as controls (NCC; N = 30). SRC athletes had significantly elevated psychological symptoms, assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI), acutely following injury relative to both control groups. There was a group-by-visit interaction on the ratio of KynA to 3HK in serum, a neuroprotective index, with elevated KynA/3HK in athletes with SRC at the early-acute visit relative to later visits. Importantly, athletes with greater elevation in this neuroprotective index at the early-acute visit reported fewer depressive symptoms at the late-acute visit. Finally, SRC athletes with prior concussion had significantly lower serum KynA/QuinA at all visits compared to SRC athletes with no prior concussion, an effect driven by elevated QuinA in SRC athletes with prior concussion. These results suggest that early-acute activation of the KynA branch of the KP may protect against the development of depressive symptoms following concussion. Furthermore, they highlight the potential of serum QuinA as a biomarker for repetitive head injury and provide insight into possible mechanisms linking prior concussion with subsequent injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy B. Meier
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI,Corresponding Author: Timothy B. Meier, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, Phone: 414-955-7310, Fax: 414-955-0115,
| | - Morgan E. Nitta
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI,Department of Psychology, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
| | - T. Kent Teague
- Department of Surgery, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Tulsa, OK,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine, Tulsa, OK,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, Tulsa, OK.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK
| | - Lindsay D. Nelson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI,Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Michael A. McCrea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI,Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Jonathan Savitz
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK,Oxley College of Health Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa OK
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Biernacki T, Sandi D, Bencsik K, Vécsei L. Kynurenines in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis: Therapeutic Perspectives. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061564. [PMID: 32604956 PMCID: PMC7349747 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past years, an increasing amount of evidence has emerged in support of the kynurenine pathway’s (KP) pivotal role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative, psychiatric, vascular and autoimmune diseases. Different neuroactive metabolites of the KP are known to exert opposite effects on neurons, some being neuroprotective (e.g., picolinic acid, kynurenic acid, and the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), while others are toxic to neurons (e.g., 3-hydroxykynurenine, quinolinic acid). Not only the alterations in the levels of the metabolites but also disturbances in their ratio (quinolinic acid/kynurenic acid) have been reported in several diseases. In addition to the metabolites, the enzymes participating in the KP have been unearthed to be involved in modulation of the immune system, the energetic upkeep of neurons and have been shown to influence redox processes and inflammatory cascades, revealing a sophisticated, intertwined system. This review considers various methods through which enzymes and metabolites of the kynurenine pathway influence the immune system, the roles they play in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory diseases based on current evidence with a focus on their involvement in multiple sclerosis, as well as therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Biernacki
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (T.B.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Dániel Sandi
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (T.B.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
| | - Krisztina Bencsik
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (T.B.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
| | - László Vécsei
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of General Medicine, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary; (T.B.); (D.S.); (K.B.)
- MTA—SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Interdisciplinary Excellence Center, University of Szeged, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-62-545-356; Fax: +36-62-545-597
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Sundaram G, Lim CK, Brew BJ, Guillemin GJ. Kynurenine pathway modulation reverses the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse disease progression. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:176. [PMID: 32505212 PMCID: PMC7276083 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disorder of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Activation of the kynurenine pathway (KP) results from acute and chronic neuroinflammation leading to both immune suppression and neurotoxicity. However, the exact effects of KP metabolites and changes in neurodegenerative diseases over time are not fully understood. Studies, including those in MS models, have reported that short-term KP activation is beneficial through immune tolerance. However, the effects of long-term KP activation are poorly understood. We hypothesized that such chronic activation is responsible for the neurodegeneration in MS, and further, modulating the KP in EAE-induced mice could significantly decrease the EAE disease severity. METHODS We biochemically altered the KP at different stages of the disease in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS and at two different enzymatic levels of the KP (IDO-1 (indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase)) and KMO (kynurenine monooxygenase). CNS tissue and blood samples were analyzed longitudinally using GCMS, HPLC, IHC, and RT-PCR. RESULTS We showed that the KP was steadily upregulated correlating with disease severity and associated with a shift towards increasing concentrations of the KP metabolite quinolinic acid, a neuro- and gliotoxin. KP modulation by inhibition of IDO-1 with 1-methyl tryptophan (1-MT) was dependent on the timing of treatment at various stages of EAE. IDO-1 inhibition at EAE score 2 led to significantly higher numbers of FoxP3 cells (p < 0.001) in the spleen than earlier IDO-1 inhibition (prophylactic 1-MT treatment group (p < 0.001)), 1-MT treatment after EAE induction (EAE score 0; p < 0.001), and 1-MT treatment at EAE score of 1 (p < 0.05). Significant improvement of disease severity was observed in EAE mice treated with 1-MT at EAE score 2 compared to the untreated group (p < 0.05). KP modulation by KMO inhibition with Ro 61-8048 led to significantly greater numbers of Foxp3 cells (p < 0.05) in Ro 61-8048 treated mice and even more significant amelioration of EAE disease compared to the 1-MT treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS These results provide a new mechanistic link between neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and point to KP modulation at the KMO level to preserve immune tolerance and limit neurodegeneration in EAE. They provide the foundation for new clinical trials for MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Sundaram
- Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Chai K Lim
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Bruce J Brew
- Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
- Department of Neurology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia.
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Braidy N, Villalva MD, van Eeden S. Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer? Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9050425. [PMID: 32423100 PMCID: PMC7278809 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9050425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential pyridine nucleotide that has garnered considerable interest in the last century due to its critical role in cellular processes associated with energy production, cellular protection against stress and longevity. Research in NAD+ has been reinvigorated by recent findings that components of NAD+ metabolism and NAD-dependent enzymes can influence major signalling processes associated with the neurobiology of addiction. These studies implicate raising intracellular NAD+ levels as a potential target for managing and treating addictive behaviour and reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in patients with food addiction and/or substance abuse. Since clinical studies showing the use of NAD+ for the treatment of addiction are limited, this review provides literature evidence that NAD+ can influence the neurobiology of addiction and may have benefits as an anti-addiction intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nady Braidy
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria D. Villalva
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia;
| | - Sam van Eeden
- Centre for Cutaneous Research, Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
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Kynurenic Acid Levels are Increased in the CSF of Alzheimer's Disease Patients. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040571. [PMID: 32276479 PMCID: PMC7226436 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a product of the tryptophan (TRP) metabolism via the kynurenine pathway (KP). This pathway is activated in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer´s disease (AD). KYNA is primarily produced by astrocytes and is considered neuroprotective. Thus, altered KYNA levels may suggest an inflammatory response. Very recently, significant increases in KYNA levels were reported in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from AD patients compared with normal controls. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of KYNA in CSF for the classification of patients with AD, cognitively healthy controls, and patients with a variety of other neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Averaged KYNA concentration in CSF was higher in patients with AD when compared with healthy subjects and with all the other differentially diagnosed groups. There were no significant differences in KYNA levels in CSF between any other neurodegenerative groups and controls. These results suggest a specific increase in KYNA concentration in CSF from AD patients not seen in other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Huang YS, Ogbechi J, Clanchy FI, Williams RO, Stone TW. IDO and Kynurenine Metabolites in Peripheral and CNS Disorders. Front Immunol 2020; 11:388. [PMID: 32194572 PMCID: PMC7066259 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of the kynurenine pathway in normal immune system function has led to an appreciation of its possible contribution to autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity exerts a protective function, limiting the severity of experimental arthritis, whereas deletion or inhibition exacerbates the symptoms. Other chronic disorder with an inflammatory component, such as atherosclerosis, are also suppressed by IDO activity. It is suggested that this overall anti-inflammatory activity is mediated by a change in the relative production or activity of Th17 and regulatory T cell populations. Kynurenines may play an anti-inflammatory role also in CNS disorders such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis, in which signs of inflammation and neurodegeneration are involved. The possibility is discussed that in Huntington's disease kynurenines interact with other anti-inflammatory molecules such as Human Lymphocyte Antigen-G which may be relevant in other disorders. Kynurenine involvement may account for the protection afforded to animals with cerebral malaria and trypanosomiasis when they are treated with an inhibitor of kynurenine-3-monoxygenase (KMO). There is some evidence that changes in IL-10 may contribute to this protection and the relationship between kynurenines and IL-10 in arthritis and other inflammatory conditions should be explored. In addition, metabolites of kynurenine downstream of KMO, such as anthranilic acid and 3-hydroxy-anthranilic acid can influence inflammation, and the ratio of these compounds is a valuable biomarker of inflammatory status although the underlying molecular mechanisms of the changes require clarification. Hence it is essential that more effort be expended to identify their sites of action as potential targets for drug development. Finally, we discuss increasing awareness of the epigenetic regulation of IDO, for example by DNA methylation, a phenomenon which may explain differences between individuals in their susceptibility to arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Shu Huang
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joy Ogbechi
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Felix I Clanchy
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard O Williams
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor W Stone
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, NDORMS, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a critical role in generating cellular energy in the form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). Because energy requirements are substantially increased during an immune response, the KP is a key regulator of the immune system. Perhaps more importantly in the context of psychiatry, many kynurenines are neuroactive, modulating neuroplasticity and/or exerting neurotoxic effects in part through their effects on NMDA receptor signaling and glutamatergic neurotransmission. As such, it is not surprising that the kynurenines have been implicated in psychiatric illness in the context of inflammation. However, because of their neuromodulatory properties, the kynurenines are not just additional members of a list of inflammatory mediators linked with psychiatric illness, but in preclinical studies have been shown to be necessary components of the behavioral analogs of depression and schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits. Further, as the title suggests, the KP is regulated by, and in turn regulates multiple other physiological systems that are commonly disrupted in psychiatric disorders, including endocrine, metabolic, and hormonal systems. This review provides a broad overview of the mechanistic pathways through which the kynurenines interact with these systems, thus impacting emotion, cognition, pain, metabolic function, and aging, and in so doing potentially increasing the risk of developing psychiatric disorders. Novel therapeutic approaches targeting the KP are discussed. Moreover, electroconvulsive therapy, ketamine, physical exercise, and certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatories have been shown to alter kynurenine metabolism, raising the possibility that kynurenine metabolites may have utility as treatment response or therapeutic monitoring biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Savitz
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA.
- Oxley College of Health Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA.
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Świderski G, Lewandowska H, Świsłocka R, Wojtulewski S, Siergiejczyk L, Wilczewska A, Misztalewska I. Spectroscopic (IR, Raman, NMR), thermal and theoretical (DFT) study of alkali metal dipicolinates (2,6) and quinolinates (2,3). ARAB J CHEM 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arabjc.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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