Expression Of Kynurenine Pathway Enzymes Research Articles

Dysregulated placental expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes is associated with inflammation and depression in pregnancy

BackgroundPerinatal depression (including antenatal-, postnatal-, and depression that spans both timepoints) is a prevalent disorder with high morbidity that affects both mother and child. Even though the full biological blueprints of perinatal depression remain incomplete, multiple studies indicate that, at least for antenatal depression, the disorder has an inflammatory component likely linked to a dysregulation of the enzymatic kynurenine pathway. The production of neuroactive metabolites in this pathway, including quinolinic acid (QUIN), is upregulated in the placenta due to the multiple immunological roles of the metabolites during pregnancy. Since neuroactive metabolites produced by the pathway also may affect mood by directly affecting glutamate neurotransmission, we sought to investigate whether the placental expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes controlling QUIN production was associated with both peripheral inflammation and depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Methods68 placentas obtained at birth were analyzed using qPCR to determine the expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes. Cytokines and metabolites were quantified in plasma using high-sensitivity electroluminescence and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) throughout pregnancy and the post-partum. Associations between these factors were assessed using robust linear regression with ranked enzymes. ResultsLow placental quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRT), the enzyme responsible for degrading QUIN, was associated with higher IL-6 and higher QUIN/kynurenic acid ratios at the 3rd trimester. Moreover, women with severe depressive symptoms in the 3rd trimester had significantly lower placental expression of both QPRT and 2-amino-3-carboxymuconate-6-semialdehyde decarboxylase (ACMSD); impaired activity of these two enzymes leads to QUIN accumulation. ConclusionOverall, our data support that a compromised placental environment, featuring low expression of critical kynurenine pathway enzymes is associated with increased levels of plasma cytokines and the dysregulated kynurenine metabolite pattern observed in depressed women during pregnancy.

Sex- and suicide-specific alterations in the kynurenine pathway in the anterior cingulate cortex in major depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a serious psychiatric disorder that in extreme cases can lead to suicide. Evidence suggests that alterations in the kynurenine pathway (KP) contribute to the pathology of MDD. Activation of the KP leads to the formation of neuroactive metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA) and quinolinic acid (QUIN). To test for changes in the KP, postmortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) was obtained from the National Institute of Health NeuroBioBank. Gene expression of KP enzymes and relevant neuroinflammatory markers were investigated via RT-qPCR (Fluidigm) and KP metabolites were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in tissue from individuals with MDD (n = 44) and matched nonpsychiatric controls (n = 36). We report increased IL6 and IL1B mRNA in MDD. Subgroup analysis found that female MDD subjects had significantly decreased KYNA and a trend decrease in the KYNA/QUIN ratio compared to female controls. In addition, MDD subjects that died by suicide had significantly decreased KYNA in comparison to controls and MDD subjects that did not die by suicide, while subjects that did not die by suicide had increased KYAT2 mRNA, which we hypothesise may protect against a decrease in KYNA. Overall, we found sex- and suicide-specific alterations in the KP in the ACC in MDD. This is the first molecular evidence in the brain of subgroup specific changes in the KP in MDD, which not only suggests that treatments aimed at upregulation of the KYNA arm in the brain may be favourable for female MDD sufferers but also might assist managing suicidal behaviour.

Bioinformatic Analysis of Kynurenine Pathway Enzymes and Their Relationship with Glioma Hallmarks.

Indoleamine dioxygenase (IDO), a rate limiting enzyme of the tryptophan catabolism through the kynurenine pathway (KP), has been related with a lower survival and a poor patient prognosis on several solid tumors, including gliomas. However, the use of IDO inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment remains controversial in clinical trials and the role of other KP enzymes on tumor progression has remained poorly understood so far. Recently, different studies on different types of cancer have pointed out the importance of KP enzymes downstream IDO. Because of this, we conducted a bioinformatic analysis of the expression of different KP enzymes and their correlation with the gene expression of molecules related to the hallmarks of cancer in transcriptomic datasets from patients with different types of brain tumors including low grade gliomas, glioblastoma multiforme, neuroblastoma, and paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma. We found that KP enzymes that drive to NAD+ synthesis are overexpressed on different brain tumors compared to brain cortex data. Moreover, these enzymes presented positive correlations with the expression of genes related to immune response modulation, angiogenesis, Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) signaling, and Rho GTPase expression. These correlations suggest the relevance of the expression of the KP enzymes in brain tumor pathogenesis.

Circadian control of kynurenine pathway enzymes in the rat pineal gland, liver, and heart and tissue- and enzyme-specific responses to lipopolysaccharide

Amino acid tryptophan is catabolised via the kynurenine and serotonin–melatonin pathways, leading to various biologically active metabolites involved in regulating immunity, metabolism, and neuronal function. The levels of these metabolites are determined by the enzymes, which respond to altered homeostasis and pathological processes in the body. For the pineal gland, most work has centred on the serotonin–melatonin pathway. Still, no information exists on the expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes (KPEs), which may compete for the same substrate. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the physiological expression of KPEs in the rat pineal gland and their alterations in response to acute inflammation. We further compared the pineal expression profiles with the KPE expression in the rat liver and heart. Our data indicate the basal, non-induced expression of KPEs in the pineal gland, liver, and hearts, with a few first-step enzyme exceptions, such as Tdo and Ido1, and the first-step enzyme of serotonin pathway Tph1. This physiological expression was regulated in a circadian manner in the pineal gland and liver but not in the heart. Peripheral treatment with lipopolysaccharide resulted in mild upregulation of Tph1 in the pineal gland and heart, more robust upregulation of KPEs in the pineal gland and heart, but downregulation of Kmo, KatII, and Kynu in the liver. Altogether, our data provide evidence on the physiological expression of KPEs in the pineal gland, liver, and heart, which is regulated by the circadian clock in a tissue-specific manner. Furthermore, we show the temporal dynamics and bidirectional change in the transcriptional patterns of KPEs, Tph1, Per2, Nr1d1, and Stat3 in response to systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide in these tissues.

Tryptophan and Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites in Animal Models of Retinal and Optic Nerve Damage: Different Dynamics of Changes.

Kynurenines, products of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism, display neurotoxic (e.g., 3-hydroxykynurenine; 3-HK), or neuroprotective (e.g., kynurenic acid; KYNA) properties. Imbalance between the enzymes constituting the kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a role in several disease, including neurodegeneration. In this study, we track changes in concentrations of tryptophan and its selected metabolites after damage to retinal ganglion cells and link this data with expression of KP enzymes. Brown-Norway rats were subjected to intravitreal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) injection or partial optic nerve crush (PONC). Retinas were collected 2 and 7 days after the completion of PONC or NMDA injection. Concentrations of TRP, kynurenine (KYN), and KYNA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data on gene expression in the rat retina were extracted from GEO, public microarray experiments database. Two days after NMDA injection concentration of TRP decreased, while KYN and KYNA increased. At day 7 compared to day 2 decrease of KYN, KYNA and further reduction of TRP concentration were observed, but on day 7 KYN concentration was still elevated when compared to controls. At day 2 and 7 after NMDA injection no statistically significant alterations of 3-HK were observed. TRP and 3-HK concentration was higher in PONC group than in controls. However, both KYN and KYNA were lower. At day seven concentration of TRP, 3-HK, and KYN was higher, whereas concentration of KYNA declined. In vivo experiments showed that retinal damage or optic nerve lesion affect TRP metabolism via KP. However, the pattern of changes in metabolite concentrations was different depending on the model. In particular, in PONC KYNA and KYN levels were decreased and 3-HK elevated. These observations correspond with data on expression of genes encoding KP enzymes assessed after optic nerve crush or transection. After intraorbital optic nerve crush downregulation of KyatI and KyatIII between 24 h and 3 days after procedure was observed. Kmo expression was transiently upregulated (12 h after the procedures). After intraorbital optic nerve transsection (IONT) Kmo expression was upregulated after 48 h and 7 days, KyatI and KyatIII were downregulated after 12, 48 h, 7 days and upregulated after 15 days. Collected data point to the conclusion that development of therapeutic strategies targeting the KP could be beneficial in diseases involving retinal neurodegeneration.

Altered Tryptophan Catabolism in Placentas From Women With Pre-eclampsia.

Background:The kynurenine pathway enzymes, breaking down tryptophan, are abundant in placental tissue. These metabolites are involved in immunoregulatory mechanisms, although the role of this pathway in pre-eclampsia (PE) has only begun to be characterized. Here, we determined tryptophan and metabolite levels together with the expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes and inflammatory factors in placental tissue from women with and without PE.Methods:Thirty-six placentas (18 PE and 18 controls) were analyzed for expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO1 and 2), tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase (TDO), kynurenine-3-mono-oxygenase (KMO) and quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPRT) as well as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and serum amyloid A (SAA). Tryptophan and kynurenine content were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography and quinolinic acid was measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.Conclusions:Tryptophan content was reduced in placentas from women with PE. There was an increased kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in placentas from women with PE but no significant change in downstream metabolites. We confirmed a reduction in IDO1 expression and found a compensatory increase in TDO expression in placentas from women with PE. SAA was reduced in PE placentas compared with controls. Our data show that tryptophan content and the inflammatory mediator SAA are both compromised in placentas from women with PE. Further studies on the role of tryptophan catabolism and mediators of inflammation in sustaining healthy immunobiological pathways in the placenta are warranted.

Tryptophan Metabolism through the Kynurenine Pathway is Associated with Endoscopic Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis

Mucosal appearance on endoscopy is an important indicator of inflammatory burden and determines prognosis in ulcerative colitis (UC). Inflammation induces tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway (KP) and yields immunologically relevant metabolites. We sought to examine whether changes in serum tryptophan metabolites and tissue expression of KP enzymes are associated with UC endoscopic and histologic disease severity. Serum and mucosal samples were prospectively obtained at colonoscopy in patients with UC. Mayo disease activity scores, demographics, smoking status, medications, and outcomes were collected. Serum tryptophan metabolites were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (uHPLC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and enzyme expression was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Metabolite and enzyme levels were compared by endoscopic subscore, clinical disease activity, time to surgery, and hospitalization. This study included 99 patients with Mayo endoscopic subscores 0-3. Kynurenic acid/tryptophan ratio (KYNA/T) and expression of indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurinase, and kynurenine monooxygenase correlated positively with endoscopic subscore. Adjusting for age of diagnosis, smoking status, disease extent, and medications yielded significant odds of endoscopic inflammation with increasing KYNA/T (OR 1.0015, P = 0.0186) and IDO1 expression (OR 1.0635, P = 0.0215). The highest tertile ratio of KYNA/T had shorter time to surgery (P = 0.009) and hospitalization (P = 0.01) than the lowest. Increasing KYNA/T is closely associated with endoscopic inflammation and predictive of disease outcomes in patients with UC. These findings identify this novel metabolic association and further support the role of the KP in regulating mucosal inflammation in UC. 10.1093/ibd/izy103_video1izy103.video15788135676001.

Abnormal kynurenine pathway of tryptophan catabolism in cardiovascular diseases.

Kynurenine pathway (KP) is the primary path of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism in most mammalian cells. The KP generates several bioactive catabolites, such as kynurenine (Kyn), kynurenic acid (KA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), xanthurenic acid (XA), and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA). Increased catabolite concentrations in serum are associated with several cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including heart disease, atherosclerosis, and endothelial dysfunction, as well as their risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and aging. The first catabolic step in KP is primarily controlled by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Following this first step, the KP has two major branches, one branch is mediated by kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) and kynureninase (KYNU) and is responsible for the formation of 3-HK, 3-HAA, and quinolinic acid (QA); and another branch is controlled by kynurenine amino-transferase (KAT), which generates KA. Uncontrolled Trp catabolism has been demonstrated in distinct CVD, thus, understanding the underlying mechanisms by which regulates KP enzyme expression and activity is paramount. This review highlights the recent advances on the effect of KP enzyme expression and activity in different tissues on the pathological mechanisms of specific CVD, KP is an inflammatory sensor and modulator in the cardiovascular system, and KP catabolites act as the potential biomarkers for CVD initiation and progression. Moreover, the biochemical features of critical KP enzymes and principles of enzyme inhibitor development are briefly summarized, as well as the therapeutic potential of KP enzyme inhibitors against CVD is briefly discussed.

Erratum: The kynurenine pathway is activated in human obesity and shifted toward kynurenine monooxygenase activation.

Objective This study characterized the kynurenine pathway (KP) in human obesity by evaluating circulating levels of kynurenines and the expression of KP enzymes in adipose tissue. Methods Tryptophan and KP metabolite levels were measured in serum of individuals from the D.E.S.I.R. cohort (case-cohort study: 212 diabetic, 836 randomly sampled) and in women with obesity, diabetic or normoglycemic, from the ABOS cohort (n = 100). KP enzyme gene expressions were analyzed in omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue of women from the ABOS cohort, in human primary adipocytes and in monocyte-derived macrophages. Results In the D.E.S.I.R. cohort, kynurenine levels were positively associated with body mass index (BMI) (P = 4.68 × 10) and with a higher HOMA2-IR insulin resistance index (P = 6.23 × 10). The levels of kynurenine, kynurenic acid, and quinolinic acid were associated with higher BMI (P < 0.05). The expression of several KP enzyme genes (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 [IDO1], kynureninase [KYNU], kynurenine 3-monooxygenase [KMO], and kynurenine aminotransferase III [CCBL2]) was increased in the omental adipose tissue of women with obesity compared to lean (P < 0.05), and their expression was induced by proinflammatory cytokines in human primary adipocytes (P < 0.05), except for KMO that is not expressed in these cells. The expressions of IDO1, KYNU, KMO, and CCBL2 were higher in proinflammatory than in anti-inflammatory macrophages (P < 0.05). Conclusions In the context of obesity, the presence of macrophages in adipose tissue may contribute to diverting KP toward KMO activation.

Kynurenine metabolic balance is disrupted in the hippocampus following peripheral lipopolysaccharide challenge.

BackgroundInflammation increases the risk of developing depression-related symptoms, and tryptophan metabolism is an important mediator of these behavior changes. Peripheral immune activation results in central up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, microglia activation, and the production of neurotoxic kynurenine metabolites. The neuroinflammatory and kynurenine metabolic response to peripheral immune activation has been largely characterized at the whole brain level. It is unknown if this metabolic response exhibits regional specificity even though the unique indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-dependent depressive-like behaviors are known to be controlled by discrete brain regions. Therefore, regional characterization of neuroinflammation and kynurenine metabolism might allow for better understanding of the potential mechanisms that mediate inflammation-associated behavior changes.MethodsFollowing peripheral immune challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), brain tissue from behaviorally relevant regions was analyzed for changes in mRNA of neuroinflammatory targets and kynurenine pathway enzymes. The metabolic balance of the kynurenine pathway was also determined in the peripheral circulation and these brain regions.ResultsPeripheral LPS treatment resulted in region-independent up-regulation of brain expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and glial cellular markers indicative of a neuroinflammatory response. The expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes was also largely region-independent. While the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio was elevated significantly in both the plasma and in each brain regions evaluated, the balance of kynurenine metabolism was skewed toward production of neurotoxic metabolites in the hippocampus.ConclusionsThe upstream neuroinflammatory processes, such as pro-inflammatory cytokine production, glial cell activation, and kynurenine production, may be similar throughout the brain. However, it appears that the balance of downstream kynurenine metabolism is a tightly regulated brain region-dependent process.

Understanding the role of the kynurenine pathway in human breast cancer immunobiology.

Breast cancer (BrCa) is the leading cause of cancer related death in women. While current diagnostic modalities provide opportunities for early medical intervention, significant proportions of breast tumours escape treatment and metastasize. Gaining increasing recognition as a factor in tumour metastasis is the local immuno-surveillance environment. Following identification of the role played by the enzyme indoleamine dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in mediating maternal foetal tolerance, the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan metabolism has emerged as a key metabolic pathway contributing to immune escape. In inflammatory conditions activation of the KP leads to the production of several immune-modulating metabolites including kynurenine, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine, anthranilic acid, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, picolinic acid and quinolinic acid. KP over-activation was first described in BrCa patients in the early 1960s. More evidence has since emerged to suggest that the IDO1 is elevated in advanced BrCa patients and is associated with poor prognosis. Further, IDO1 positive breast tumours have a positive correlation with the density of immune suppressive Foxp3+ T regulatory cells and lymph node metastasis. The analysis of clinical microarray data in invasive BrCa compared to normal tissue showed, using two microarray databank (cBioportal and TCGA), that 86.3% and 91.4% BrCa patients have altered KP enzyme expression respectively. Collectively, these data highlight the key roles played by KP activation in BrCa, particularly in basal BrCa subtypes where expression of most KP enzymes was altered. Accordingly, the use of KP enzyme inhibitors in addition to standard chemotherapy regimens may present a viable therapeutic approach.

The kynurenine pathway is activated in human obesity and shifted toward kynurenine monooxygenase activation.

This study characterized the kynurenine pathway (KP) in human obesity by evaluating circulating levels of kynurenines and the expression of KP enzymes in adipose tissue. Tryptophan and KP metabolite levels were measured in serum of individuals from the D.E.S.I.R. cohort (case-cohort study: 212 diabetic, 836 randomly sampled) and in women with obesity, diabetic or normoglycemic, from the ABOS cohort (n = 100). KP enzyme gene expressions were analyzed in omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue of women from the ABOS cohort, in human primary adipocytes and in monocyte-derived macrophages. In the D.E.S.I.R. cohort, kynurenine levels were positively associated with body mass index (BMI) (P = 4.68 × 10(-19) ) and with a higher HOMA2-IR insulin resistance index (P = 6.23 × 10(-4) ). The levels of kynurenine, kynurenic acid, and quinolinic acid were associated with higher BMI (P < 0.05). The expression of several KP enzyme genes (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 [IDO1], kynureninase [KYNU], kynurenine 3-monooxygenase [KMO], and kynurenine aminotransferase III [CCBL2]) was increased in the omental adipose tissue of women with obesity compared to lean (P < 0.05), and their expression was induced by proinflammatory cytokines in human primary adipocytes (P < 0.05), except for KMO that is not expressed in these cells. The expressions of IDO1, KYNU, KMO, and CCBL2 were higher in proinflammatory than in anti-inflammatory macrophages (P < 0.05). In the context of obesity, the presence of macrophages in adipose tissue may contribute to diverting KP toward KMO activation.

Molecular imaging correlates of tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway in human meningiomas.

Increased tryptophan metabolism via the kynurenine pathway (KP) is a key mechanism of tumoral immune suppression in gliomas. However, details of tryptophan metabolism in meningiomas have not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated in vivo tryptophan metabolism in meningiomas and compared it with gliomas using α-[(11)C]-methyl-L-tryptophan (AMT)-PET. We also explored expression patterns of KP enzymes in resected meningiomas. Forty-seven patients with MRI-detected meningioma (n = 16) and glioma (n = 31) underwent presurgical AMT-PET scanning. Tumoral AMT uptake and tracer kinetic parameters (including K and k3' evaluating unidirectional uptake and trapping, respectively) were measured, correlated with meningioma grade, and compared between meningiomas and gliomas. Patterns of KP enzyme expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry in all meningiomas. Meningioma grade showed a positive correlation with AMT k3' tumor/cortex ratio (r = 0.75, P = .003), and this PET parameter distinguished grade I from grade II/III meningiomas with 92% accuracy. Kinetic AMT parameters could differentiate meningiomas from both low-grade gliomas (97% accuracy by k3' ratios) and high-grade gliomas (83% accuracy by K ratios). Among 3 initial KP enzymes (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1/2, and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2 [TDO2]), TDO2 showed the strongest immunostaining, particularly in grade I meningiomas. TDO2 also showed a strong negative correlation with AMT k3' ratios (P = .001). PET imaging of tryptophan metabolism can provide quantitative imaging markers for differentiating grade I from grade II/III meningiomas. TDO2 may be an important driver of in vivo tryptophan metabolism in these tumors. These results can have implications for pharmacological targeting of the KP in meningiomas.

Activation of the kynurenine pathway and increased production of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid following traumatic brain injury in humans.

During inflammation, the kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolises the essential amino acid tryptophan (TRP) potentially contributing to excitotoxicity via the release of quinolinic acid (QUIN) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3HK). Despite the importance of excitotoxicity in the development of secondary brain damage, investigations on the KP in TBI are scarce. In this study, we comprehensively characterised changes in KP activation by measuring numerous metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from TBI patients and assessing the expression of key KP enzymes in brain tissue from TBI victims. Acute QUIN levels were further correlated with outcome scores to explore its prognostic value in TBI recovery.MethodsTwenty-eight patients with severe TBI (GCS ≤ 8, three patients had initial GCS = 9–10, but rapidly deteriorated to ≤8) were recruited. CSF was collected from admission to day 5 post-injury. TRP, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), QUIN, anthranilic acid (AA) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) were measured in CSF. The Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) score was assessed at 6 months post-TBI. Post-mortem brains were obtained from the Australian Neurotrauma Tissue and Fluid Bank and used in qPCR for quantitating expression of KP enzymes (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1), kynurenase (KYNase), kynurenine amino transferase-II (KAT-II), kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase (3HAO) and quinolinic acid phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRTase) and IDO1 immunohistochemistry.ResultsIn CSF, KYN, KYNA and QUIN were elevated whereas TRP, AA and 3HAA remained unchanged. The ratios of QUIN:KYN, QUIN:KYNA, KYNA:KYN and 3HAA:AA revealed that QUIN levels were significantly higher than KYN and KYNA, supporting increased neurotoxicity. Amplified IDO1 and KYNase mRNA expression was demonstrated on post-mortem brains, and enhanced IDO1 protein coincided with overt tissue damage. QUIN levels in CSF were significantly higher in patients with unfavourable outcome and inversely correlated with GOSE scores.ConclusionTBI induced a striking activation of the KP pathway with sustained increase of QUIN. The exceeding production of QUIN together with increased IDO1 activation and mRNA expression in brain-injured areas suggests that TBI selectively induces a robust stimulation of the neurotoxic branch of the KP pathway. QUIN’s detrimental roles are supported by its association to adverse outcome potentially becoming an early prognostic factor post-TBI.

109. Enhanced kynurenic acid levels and cytokine-induced production of 3-hydroxykynurenine in fibroblasts from bipolar or schizophrenic patients

Recent studies suggest that cytokine-related disturbances of kynurenine metabolism are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Here, we examined the production of kynurenic acid (KYNA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and the expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes under basal conditions and in the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines in fibroblast cultures from patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Higher baseline production of KYNA and 3-HK was demonstrated in fibroblasts obtained from patients as compared with control subjects. Following exposure to interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)1-beta, IL6, or combinations, 3-HK levels, but not KYNA, increased in the fibroblast cultures. After treatments with cytokines the mRNA expression of kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) enzymes were decreased and kynurenase (KYNU) increased, kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) levels were not affected. Interaction analyses showed that cells from patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder respond differently to pro-inflammatory cytokines in terms of L-kynurenine metabolism as compared to control individuals. Potential associations with two polymorphisms in the KMO allele were also investigated. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1053230 and rs2275163 both had effects on KYNA levels but these SNPs did not explain the case-control differences in KYNA or 3-HK levels. In conclusion, our results provide evidence that the kynurenine pathway is abnormally affected by cytokine exposure in fibroblast cultures obtained from patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Activation of kynurenine pathway in ex vivo fibroblasts from patients with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia: Cytokine challenge increases production of 3-hydroxykynurenine

Accumulating data suggest a causative link between immune stimulation, disturbed metabolism of tryptophan, and pathogenesis of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The goal of this study was to examine the production of kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and the expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes involved in their synthesis and metabolism in cultured skin fibroblasts obtained from patients with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or from healthy control individuals. The assessment was performed under basal conditions or following treatment with interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, or their combinations, in cells exposed to exogenous kynurenine. In both groups of patients, the baseline production of KYNA and 3-HK was increased, as compared to control subjects. Case-treatment analyses revealed significant interactions between bipolar case status and IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ + TNF-α, or IFN-γ + IL-1β, as well as between schizophrenia case status and IL-1β, IFN-γ + TNF-α, or IFN-γ + IL-1β, in terms of higher 3-HK. Noteworthy, no case-treatment interactions in terms of KYNA production were found. Observed changes did not appear to correlate with the expression of genes encoding kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs), kynureninase (KYNU) or kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO). The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs1053230 and rs2275163, in KMO influenced KYNA levels yet did not explain the case-treatment discrepancies. In conclusion, our present findings indicate the utility of skin-derived fibroblasts for kynurenines research and support the concept of kynurenine pathway alterations in bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The increase in ratio between neurotoxic 3-HK and neuroinhibitory/neuroprotective KYNA following exposure to cytokines may account for altered neurogenesis and structural abnormalities characteristic for both diseases.

Effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on expression of kynurenine pathway enzymes in human dermal fibroblasts

BackgroundThe kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main route of tryptophan degradation in the human body and generates several neuroactive and immunomodulatory metabolites. Altered levels of KP-metabolites have been observed in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders as well as in patients with affective disorders. The purpose of the present study was to investigate if skin derived human fibroblasts are useful for studies of expression of enzymes in the KP.MethodsFibroblast cultures were established from cutaneous biopsies taken from the arm of consenting volunteers. Such cultures were subsequently treated with interferon (IFN)-γ 200 U/ml and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, 100 U/ml for 48 hours in serum-free medium. Levels of transcripts encoding different enzymes were determined by real-time PCR and levels of kynurenic acid (KYNA) were determined by HPLC.ResultsAt base-line all cultures harbored detectable levels of transcripts encoding KP enzymes, albeit with considerable variation across individuals. Following cytokine treatment, considerable changes in many of the transcripts investigated were observed. For example, increases in the abundance of transcripts encoding indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, kynureninase or 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase and decreases in the levels of transcripts encoding tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine aminotransferases or quinolinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase were observed following IFN-γ and TNF-α treatment. Finally, the fibroblast cultures released detectable levels of KYNA in the cell culture medium at base-line conditions, which were increased after IFN-γ, but not TNF-α, treatments.ConclusionsAll of the investigated genes encoding KP enzymes were expressed in human fibroblasts. Expression of many of these appeared to be regulated in response to cytokine treatment as previously reported for other cell types. Fibroblast cultures, thus, appear to be useful for studies of disease-related abnormalities in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation.

Intracellular GTP level determines cell's fate toward differentiation and apoptosis

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the major route for tryptophan (TRP) metabolism in most mammalian tissues. The KP metabolizes TRP into a number of neuroactive metabolites, such as kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), and quinolinic acid (QUIN). Elevated metabolite concentrations in the central nervous system are associated with the pathophysiology of several inflammation-related neuropsychiatric diseases. During an inflammatory response, the initial KP metabolic step is primarily regulated by indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1), which produces KYN from TRP. Following this initial step, the KP has 2 distinct branches; one branch is regulated by kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) and is primarily responsible for the 3-HK and QUIN production, and the other branch is regulated by kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT), which produces KYNA, an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and alpha-7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Unbalanced KP metabolism has been demonstrated in distinct neuropsychiatric diseases; thus, understanding the mechanisms that regulate KP enzyme expression and activity is important. These enzymes are expressed by specific cell types, and the induction of enzyme expression by inflammatory stimuli also shows cell type specificity. This review provides an overview and discusses the current understanding of the influence of KP enzyme expression and activity in different cell types on the pathophysiological mechanisms of specific neuropsychiatric diseases. Moreover, the potential use of KP enzyme inhibition as a therapeutic strategy for treating neurological diseases is briefly discussed.This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘The Kynurenine Pathway in Health and Disease’.

Induction of indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase in rat brain following a systemic inflammatory challenge: A role for IFN-γ?

Inflammation-mediated dysregulation of the kynurenine pathway has been implicated as a contributor to a number of major brain disorders. Consequently, we examined the impact of a systemic inflammatory challenge on kynurenine pathway enzyme expression in rat brain. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression was induced in cortex and hippocampus following systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Whilst IDO expression was paralleled by increased circulating interferon (IFN)-gamma concentrations, IFN-gamma expression in the brain was only modestly altered following LPS administration. In contrast, induction of IDO was associated with increased central tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 expression. Similarly, in cultured glial cells LPS-induced IDO expression was accompanied by increased TNF-alpha and IL-6 expression, whereas IFN-gamma was not detectable. These findings indicate that IFN-gamma is not required for LPS-induced IDO expression in brain. A robust increase in kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) expression was observed in rat brain 24h post LPS, without any change in kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II) expression. In addition, we report that constitutive expression of KAT II is approximately 8-fold higher than KMO in cortex and 20-fold higher in hippocampus. Similarly, in glial cells constitutive expression of KAT II was approximately 16-fold higher than KMO, and expression of KMO but not KAT II was induced by LPS. These data are the first to demonstrate that a systemic inflammatory challenge stimulates KMO expression in brain; a situation that is likely to favour kynurenine metabolism in a neurotoxic direction. However, our observation that expression of KAT II is much higher than KMO in rat brain is likely to counteract potential neurotoxicity that could arise from KMO induction following an acute inflammation.

Characterization of the kynurenine pathway in human oligodendrocytes

Abstract It is important to understand the involvement of oligodendrocytes in the kynurenine pathway (KP) and more particularly, their potential ability to produce neuroprotective metabolites such as kynurenic acid (KYNA) or picolinic acid (PIC), and the possibility of taking up and catabolizing the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QUIN). These mechanisms may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of neuroinflammatory diseases, especially multiple sclerosis. We used RT-PCR and HPLC to delineate KP enzyme expression and KP metabolite production. We characterized the KP in oligodendrocytes and showed that they lack IDO expression and are unable to catabolize tryptophan. However, the other enzymes in the pathway are present. These results indicate that human oligodendrocytes are more likely to produce neuroprotective KP metabolites such as KYNA and PIC rather than QUIN. However, because of the lack of IDO they are not able to down-regulate the immune response and as such may be more vulnerable to autoimmune phenomena.