Pretreatment Effect of Inflammatory Stimuli and Characteristics of Tryptophan Transport on Brain Capillary Endothelial (TR-BBB) and Motor Neuron Like (NSC-34) Cell Lines

The Multifaceted Role of L-Type Amino Acid Transporter 1 at the Blood-Brain Barrier: Structural Implications and Therapeutic Potential

L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is integral to the transport of large neutral amino acids across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), playing a crucial role in brain homeostasis and the delivery of therapeutic agents. This review explores the multifaceted role of LAT1 in neurological disorders, including its structural and functional aspects at the BBB. Studies using advanced BBB models, such as induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived systems and quantitative proteomic analyses, have demonstrated LAT1's significant impact on drug permeability and transport efficiency. In Alzheimer's disease, LAT1-mediated delivery of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents shows promise in overcoming BBB limitations. In Parkinson's disease, LAT1's role in transporting L-DOPA and other therapeutic agents highlights its potential in enhancing treatment efficacy. In phenylketonuria, studies have revealed polymorphisms and genetic variations of LAT1, which could be correlated to disease severity. Prodrugs of valproic acid, pregabalin, and gabapentin help use LAT1-mediated transport to increase the therapeutic activity and bioavailability of the prodrug in the brain. LAT1 has also been studied in neurodevelopment disorders like autism spectrum disorders and Rett syndrome, along with neuropsychiatric implications in depression. Its implications in neuro-oncology, especially in transporting therapeutic agents into cancer cells, show immense future potential. Phenotypes of LAT1 have also shown variations in the general population affecting their ability to respond to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, LAT1-targeted approaches, such as functionalized nanoparticles and prodrugs, show promise in overcoming chemoresistance and enhancing drug delivery to the brain. The ongoing exploration of LAT1's structural characteristics and therapeutic applications reiterates its critical role in advancing treatments for neurological disorders.

Psychobiotics and the gut-brain axis: advances in metabolite quantification and their implications for mental health

Psychobiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer mental health benefits to the host. Several clinical studies have demonstrated significant mental health benefits from psychobiotic administration, making them an emerging topic in food science. Certain strains of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus, Escherichia, and Enterococcus species are known for their ability to modulate the gut-brain axis and provide mental health benefits. Proposed action mechanisms include the production of neuroactive compounds or their precursors, which may cross the blood-brain barrier, or transported by their extracellular vesicles. However, there is a lack of in vivo evidence directly confirming these mechanisms, although indirect evidence from recent studies suggest potential pathways for further investigation. To advance our understanding, it is crucial to study these mechanisms within the host, with accurate quantification of neuroactive compounds and/or their precursors being key in such studies. Current quantification methods, however, face challenges, such as low sensitivity for detecting trace metabolites and limited specificity due to interference from other compounds, impacting the reliability of measurements. This review discusses the emerging field of psychobiotics, their potential action mechanisms, neuroactive compound estimation techniques, and perspectives for improvement in quantifying neuroactive compounds and/or precursors within the host.

Kynurenines and Inflammation: A Remarkable Axis for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune neurological disease characterized by the recurrent appearance of demyelinating lesions and progressive disability. Currently, there are multiple disease-modifying treatments, however, there is a significant need to develop new therapeutic targets, especially for the progressive forms of the disease. This review article provides an overview of the most recent studies aimed at understanding the inflammatory processes that are activated in response to the accumulation of kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites, which exacerbate an imbalance between immune system cells (e.g., Th1, Th2, and T reg) and promote the release of pro-inflammatory interleukins that modulate different mechanisms: membrane-receptors function; nuclear factors expression; and cellular signals. Together, these alterations trigger cell death mechanisms in brain cells and promote neuron loss and axon demyelination. This hypothesis could represent a remarkable approach for disease-modifying therapies for MS. Here, we also provide a perspective on the repositioning of some already approved drugs involved in other signaling pathways, which could represent new therapeutic strategies for MS treatment.

Protective Effects of Choline against Inflammatory Cytokines and Characterization of Transport in Motor Neuron-like Cell Lines (NSC-34)

Choline, a component of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, is essential for nervous system functions, brain development, and gene expression. In our study, we investigated the protective effect and transport characteristics of choline in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) model cell lines. We used the wild-type (WT) motor neuron-like hybrid cell line (NSC-34/hSOD1WT) as a control and the mutant-type (MT; NSC-34/hSOD1G93A) as a disease model. The uptake of [3H]choline was time-, pH-, and concentration-dependent. [3H]Choline transport was sodium-dependent, and, upon pretreatment with valinomycin, induced membrane depolarization. Gene knockdown of Slc44a1 revealed that choline-like transporter 1 (CTL1) mediates the transport of choline. In NSC-34 cell lines, the specific choline transporter inhibitor, hemicholinium-3 demonstrated significant inhibition. Donepezil and nifedipine caused dose-dependent inhibition of [3H]choline uptake by the MT cell line with minimal half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 0.14 mM and 3.06 mM, respectively. Four-day pretreatment with nerve growth factor (NGF) resulted in an inhibitory effect on [3H]choline uptake. Choline exerted protective and compensatory effects against cytokines mediators. Hence, the choline transport system CLT1 may act as a potential target for the delivery of novel pharmacological drugs, and the combination of drugs with choline can help treat symptoms related to ALS.

Blood-Brain Barrier Solute Carrier Transporters and Motor Neuron Disease

Defective solute carrier (SLC) transporters are responsible for neurotransmitter dysregulation, resulting in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We provided the role and kinetic parameters of transporters such as ASCTs, Taut, LAT1, CAT1, MCTs, OCTNs, CHT, and CTL1, which are mainly responsible for the transport of essential nutrients, acidic, and basic drugs in blood-brain barrier (BBB) and motor neuron disease. The affinity for LAT1 was higher in the BBB than in the ALS model cell line, whereas the capacity was higher in the NSC-34 cell lines than in the BBB. Affinity for MCTs was lower in the BBB than in the NSC-34 cell lines. CHT in BBB showed two affinity sites, whereas no expression was observed in ALS cell lines. CTL1 was the main transporter for choline in ALS cell lines. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) analysis of [3H]choline uptake indicated that choline is sensitive in TR-BBB cells, whereas amiloride is most sensitive in ALS cell lines. Knowledge of the transport systems in the BBB and motor neurons will help to deliver drugs to the brain and develop the therapeutic strategy for treating CNS and neurological diseases.

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of Paeonol against Oxidative Stress and Altered Carrier-Mediated Transport System on NSC-34 Cell Lines

Paeonol is a naturally occurring phenolic agent that attenuates neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to investigate the antioxidant and protective effects of paeonol and determine its transport mechanism in wild-type (WT; NSC-34/hSOD1^WT) and mutant-type (MT; NSC-34/hSOD1^G93A) motor neuron-like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cell lines. Cytotoxicity induced by glutamate, lipopolysaccharides, and H₂O₂ reduced viability of cell; however, the addition of paeonol improved cell viability against neurotoxicity. The [³H]paeonol uptake was increased in the presence of H₂O₂ in both cell lines. Paeonol recovered ALS model cell lines by reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by glutamate. The transport of paeonol was time-, concentration-, and pH-dependent in both NSC-34 cell lines. Kinetic parameters showed two transport sites with altered affinity and capacity in the MT cell line compared to the WT cell line. [³H]Paeonol uptake increased in the MT cell line transfected with organic anion transporter1 (Oat1)/Slc22a6 small interfering RNA compared to that in the control. Plasma membrane monoamine transporter (Pmat) was also involved in the uptake of paeonol by ALS model cell lines. Overall, paeonol exhibits neuroprotective activity via a carrier-mediated transport system and may be a beneficial therapy for preventing motor neuronal damage under ALS-like conditions.

Genetic Deficiency of Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase Aggravates Vascular but Not Liver Disease in a Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis and Atherosclerosis Comorbidity Model

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic liver disease that increases cardiovascular disease risk. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1)-mediated tryptophan (Trp) metabolism has been proposed to play an immunomodulatory role in several diseases. The potential of IDO1 to be a link between NASH and cardiovascular disease has never been investigated. Using Apoe^−/− and Apoe^−/−Ido1^−/− mice that were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFCD) to simultaneously induce NASH and atherosclerosis, we found that Ido1 deficiency significantly accelerated atherosclerosis after 7 weeks. Surprisingly, Apoe^−/−Ido1^−/− mice did not present a more aggressive NASH phenotype, including hepatic lipid deposition, release of liver enzymes, and histopathological parameters. As expected, a lower L-kynurenine/Trp (Kyn/Trp) ratio was found in the plasma and arteries of Apoe^−/−Ido1^−/− mice compared to controls. However, no difference in the hepatic Kyn/Trp ratio was found between the groups. Hepatic transcript analyses revealed that HFCD induced a temporal increase in tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (Tdo2) mRNA, indicating an alternative manner to maintain Trp degradation during NASH development in both Apoe^−/− and Apoe^−/−Ido1^−/mice⁻. Using HepG2 hepatoma cell and THP1 macrophage cultures, we found that iron, TDO2, and Trp degradation may act as important mediators of cross-communication between hepatocytes and macrophages regulating liver inflammation. In conclusion, we show that Ido1 deficiency aggravates atherosclerosis, but not liver disease, in a newly established NASH and atherosclerosis comorbidity model. Our data indicate that the overexpression of TDO2 is an important mechanism that helps in balancing the kynurenine pathway and inflammation in the liver, but not in the artery wall, which likely determined disease outcome in these two target tissues.

The Blood-Brain Barrier-A Key Player in Multiple Sclerosis Disease Mechanisms

Over the past decade, multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic neuroinflammatory disease with severe personal and social consequences, has undergone a steady increase in incidence and prevalence rates worldwide. Despite ongoing research and the development of several novel therapies, MS pathology remains incompletely understood, and the prospect for a curative treatment continues to be unpromising in the near future. A sustained research effort, however, should contribute to a deeper understanding of underlying disease mechanisms, which will undoubtedly yield improved results in drug development. In recent years, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has increasingly become the focus of many studies as it appears to be involved in both MS disease onset and progression. More specifically, neurovascular unit damage is believed to be involved in the critical process of CNS immune cell penetration, which subsequently favors the development of a CNS-specific immune response, leading to the classical pathological and clinical hallmarks of MS. The aim of the current narrative review is to merge the relevant evidence on the role of the BBB in MS pathology in a comprehensive and succinct manner. Firstly, the physiological structure and functions of the BBB as a component of the more complex neurovascular unit are presented. Subsequently, the authors review the specific alteration of the BBB encountered in different stages of MS, focusing on both the modifications of BBB cells in neuroinflammation and the CNS penetration of immune cells. Finally, the currently accepted theories on neurodegeneration in MS are summarized.

Kynurenine Metabolism and Alzheimer's Disease: The Potential Targets and Approaches

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.

Monocarboxylate transporter functions and neuroprotective effects of valproic acid in experimental models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devasting neurodegenerative disorder for which no successful therapeutics are available. Valproic acid (VPA), a monocarboxylate derivative, is a known antiepileptic drug and a histone deacetylase inhibitor.

Methods

To investigate whether monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) and sodium-coupled MCT1 (SMCT1) are altered in ALS cell and mouse models, a cellular uptake study, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction and western blot parameters were used. Similarly, whether VPA provides a neuroprotective effect in the wild-type (WT; hSOD1WT) and ALS mutant-type (MT; hSOD1G93A) NSC-34 motor neuron-like cell lines was determined through the cell viability assay.

Results

[³H]VPA uptake was dependent on time, pH, sodium and concentration, and the uptake rate was significantly lower in the MT cell line than the WT cell line. Interestingly, two VPA transport systems were expressed, and the VPA uptake was modulated by SMCT substrates/inhibitors in both cell lines. Furthermore, MCT1 and SMCT1 expression was significantly lower in motor neurons of ALS (G93A) model mice than in those of WT mice. Notably, VPA ameliorated glutamate- and hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity in both the WT and MT ALS cell lines.

Conclusions

Together, the current findings demonstrate that VPA exhibits a neuroprotective effect regardless of the dysfunction of an MCT in ALS, which could help develop useful therapeutic strategies for ALS.

Recent advances in clinical trials targeting the kynurenine pathway

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the major catabolic pathway for the essential amino acid tryptophan leading to the production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. In inflammatory conditions, the activation of the KP leads to the production of several bioactive metabolites including kynurenine, 3-hydroxykynurenine, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, kynurenic acid and quinolinic acid. These metabolites can have redox and immune suppressive activity, be neurotoxic or neuroprotective. While the activity of the pathway is tightly regulated under normal physiological condition, it can be upregulated by immunological activation and inflammation. The dysregulation of the KP has been implicated in wide range of neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms involved in KP-mediated neurotoxicity and immune suppression, and its role in diseases of our expertise including cancer, chronic pain and multiple sclerosis. We also provide updates on the clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of KP inhibitors and/or analogues in each respective disease.

Differences of Transport Activity of Arginine and Regulation on Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase and Oxidative Stress in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model Cell Lines

L-Arginine, a semi-essential amino acid, was shown to delay dysfunction of motor neurons and to prolong the lifespan, upon analysis of transgenic mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated the transport function of arginine and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression after pretreatment with L-arginine in NSC-34 hSOD1^WT (wild-type, WT) and hSOD1^G93A (mutant-type, MT) cell lines. [³H]L-Arginine uptake was concentration-dependent, voltage-sensitive, and sodium-independent in both cell lines. Among the cationic amino acid transporters family, including system y+, b^0,+, B^0,+, and y⁺L, system y⁺ is mainly involved in [³H]L-arginine transport in ALS cell lines. System b^0,+ accounted for 23% of the transport in both cell lines. System B^0,+ was found only in MT, and whereas, system y⁺L was found only in WT. Lysine competitively inhibited [³H]L-arginine uptake in both cell lines. The nNOS mRNA expression was significantly lower in MT than in WT. Pretreatment with arginine elevated nNOS mRNA levels in MT. Oxidizing stressor, H₂O₂, significantly decreased their uptake; however, pretreatment with arginine restored the transport activity in both cell lines. In conclusion, arginine transport is associated with system y⁺, and neuroprotection by L-arginine may provide an edge as a possible therapeutic target in the treatment of ALS.

Change in Cationic Amino Acid Transport System and Effect of Lysine Pretreatment on Inflammatory State in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Cell Model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurological disorder characterized by the deterioration of motor neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate alteration of cationic amino acid transporter (CAT-1) activity in the transport of lysine and the pretreatment effect of lysine on pro-inflammatory states in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cell line. The mRNA expression of cationic amino acid transporter 1 was lower in NSC-34/hSOD1^G93A (MT) than the control cell line (WT), lysine transport is mediated by CAT-1 in NSC-34 cell lines. The uptake of [³H]L-lysine was Na⁺-independent, voltage-sensitive, and strongly inhibited by inhibitors and substrates of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (system y⁺). The transport process involved two saturable processes in both cell lines. In the MT cell line, at a high-affinity site, the affinity was 9.4-fold higher and capacity 24-fold lower than that in the WT; at a low-affinity site, the capacity was 2.3-fold lower than that in the WT cell line. Donepezil and verapamil competitively inhibited [³H]L-lysine uptake in the NSC-34 cell lines. Pretreatment with pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased the uptake of [³H]L-lysine and mRNA expression levels in both cell lines; however, the addition of L-lysine restored the transport activity in the MT cell lines. L-Lysine exhibited neuroprotective effects against pro-inflammatory states in the ALS disease model cell lines. In conclusion, studying the alteration in the expression of transporters and characteristics of lysine transport in ALS can lead to the development of new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

The Alteration of L-Carnitine Transport and Pretreatment Effect under Glutamate Cytotoxicity on Motor Neuron-Like NSC-34 Lines

L-Carnitine (LC) is essential for transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria for β-oxidation. This study was performed to examine the alteration of the LC transport system in wild type (WT, NSC-34/hSOD1^WT) and mutant type (MT, NSC-34/hSOD1^G93A) amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) models. The uptake of [³H]L-carnitine was dependent on time, temperature, concentration, sodium, pH, and energy in both cell lines. The Michaelis–Menten constant (K_m) value as well as maximum transport velocity (V_max) indicated that the MT cell lines showed the higher affinity and lower capacity transport system, compared to that of the WT cell lines. Additionally, LC uptake was inhibited by organic cationic compounds but unaffected by organic anions. OCTN1/slc22a4 and OCTN2/slc22a5 siRNA transfection study revealed both transporters are involved in LC transport in NSC-34 cell lines. Additionally, slc22a4 and slc22a5 was significantly decreased in mouse MT models compared with that in ALS WT littermate models in the immune-reactivity study. [³H]L-Carnitine uptake and mRNA expression pattern showed the pretreatment of LC and acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) attenuated glutamate induced neurotoxicity in NSC-34 cell lines. These findings indicate that LC and ALC supplementation can prevent the neurotoxicity and neuro-inflammation induced by glutamate in motor neurons.