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Sternberg Z. Neurodegenerative Etiology of Aromatic L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase Deficiency: a Novel Concept for Expanding Treatment Strategies. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2996-3018. [PMID: 37953352 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03684-2] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADC-DY) is caused by one or more mutations in the DDC gene, resulting in the deficit in catecholamines and serotonin neurotransmitters. The disease has limited therapeutic options with relatively poor clinical outcomes. Accumulated evidence suggests the involvement of neurodegenerative mechanisms in the etiology of AADC-DY. In the absence of neurotransmitters' neuroprotective effects, the accumulation and the chronic presence of several neurotoxic metabolites including 4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine, 3-methyldopa, and homocysteine, in the brain of subjects with AADC-DY, promote oxidative stress and reduce the cellular antioxidant and methylation capacities, leading to glial activation and mitochondrial dysfunction, culminating to neuronal injury and death. These pathophysiological processes have the potential to hinder the clinical efficacy of treatments aimed at increasing neurotransmitters' synthesis and or function. This review describes in detail the mechanisms involved in AADC-DY neurodegenerative etiology, highlighting the close similarities with those involved in other neurodegenerative diseases. We then offer novel strategies for the treatment of the disease with the objective to either reduce the level of the metabolites or counteract their prooxidant and neurotoxic effects. These treatment modalities used singly or in combination, early in the course of the disease, will minimize neuronal injury, preserving the functional integrity of neurons, hence improving the clinical outcomes of both conventional and unconventional interventions in AADC-DY. These modalities may not be limited to AADC-DY but also to other metabolic disorders where a specific mutation leads to the accumulation of prooxidant and neurotoxic metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohi Sternberg
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
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2
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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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3
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Pugel AD, Schoenfeld AM, Alsaifi SZ, Holmes JR, Morrison BE. The Role of NAD + and NAD +-Boosting Therapies in Inflammatory Response by IL-13. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:226. [PMID: 38399441 PMCID: PMC10893221 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020226] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The essential role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide+ (NAD+) in redox reactions during oxidative respiration is well known, yet the coenzyme and regulator functions of NAD+ in diverse and important processes are still being discovered. Maintaining NAD+ levels through diet is essential for health. In fact, the United States requires supplementation of the NAD+ precursor niacin into the food chain for these reasons. A large body of research also indicates that elevating NAD+ levels is beneficial for numerous conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular health, inflammatory response, and longevity. Consequently, strategies have been created to elevate NAD+ levels through dietary supplementation with NAD+ precursor compounds. This paper explores current research regarding these therapeutic compounds. It then focuses on the NAD+ regulation of IL-13 signaling, which is a research area garnering little attention. IL-13 is a critical regulator of allergic response and is associated with Parkinson's disease and cancer. Evidence supporting the notion that increasing NAD+ levels might reduce IL-13 signal-induced inflammatory response is presented. The assessment is concluded with an examination of reports involving popular precursor compounds that boost NAD+ and their associations with IL-13 signaling in the context of offering a means for safely and effectively reducing inflammatory response by IL-13.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton D. Pugel
- Biomolecular Ph.D. Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA;
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA; (A.M.S.); (S.Z.A.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Alyssa M. Schoenfeld
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA; (A.M.S.); (S.Z.A.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Sara Z. Alsaifi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA; (A.M.S.); (S.Z.A.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Jocelyn R. Holmes
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA; (A.M.S.); (S.Z.A.); (J.R.H.)
| | - Brad E. Morrison
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA; (A.M.S.); (S.Z.A.); (J.R.H.)
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4
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Sheibani M, Shayan M, Khalilzadeh M, Soltani ZE, Jafari-Sabet M, Ghasemi M, Dehpour AR. Kynurenine pathway and its role in neurologic, psychiatric, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10409-10425. [PMID: 37848760 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08859-7] [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: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Tryptophan metabolism along the kynurenine pathway is of central importance for the immune function. It prevents hyperinflammation and induces long-term immune tolerance. Accumulating evidence also demonstrates cytoprotective and immunomodulatory properties of kynurenine pathway in conditions affecting either central or peripheral nervous system as well as other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although multilevel association exists between the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and various neurologic (e.g., neurodegenerative) disorders, it is believed that the kynurenine pathway plays a pivotal role in the development of both IBD and neurodegenerative disorders. In this setting, there is strong evidence linking the gut-brain axis with intestinal dysfunctions including IBD which is consistent with the fact that the risk of neurodegenerative diseases is higher in IBD patients. This review aims to highlight the role of kynurenine metabolic pathway in various neurologic and psychiatric diseases as well as relationship between IBD and neurodegenerative disorders in the light of the kynurenine metabolic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sheibani
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Razi Drug Research Centre, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shayan
- Experimental Medicine Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, MS, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Khalilzadeh
- Experimental Medicine Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, MS, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ebrahim Soltani
- Experimental Medicine Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, MS, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Jafari-Sabet
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Razi Drug Research Centre, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Ghasemi
- Department of Neurology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA, 01803, USA.
| | - Ahmad Reza Dehpour
- Experimental Medicine Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, MS, Iran.
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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5
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Metri NJ, Butt AS, Murali A, Steiner-Lim GZ, Lim CK. Normative Data on Serum and Plasma Tryptophan and Kynurenine Concentrations from 8089 Individuals Across 120 Studies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Tryptophan Res 2023; 16:11786469231211184. [PMID: 38034059 PMCID: PMC10687991 DOI: 10.1177/11786469231211184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, a normative dataset is generated from the published literature on the kynurenine pathway in control participants extracted from case-control and methodological validation studies. Study characteristics were mapped, and studies were evaluated in terms of analytical rigour and methodological validation. Meta-analyses of variance between types of instruments, sample matrices and metabolites were conducted. Regression analyses were applied to determine the relationship between metabolite, sample matrix, biological sex, participant age and study age. The grand mean concentrations of tryptophan in the serum and plasma were 60.52 ± 15.38 μM and 51.45 ± 10.47 μM, respectively. The grand mean concentrations of kynurenine in the serum and plasma were 1.96 ± 0.51 μM and 1.82 ± 0.54 μM, respectively. Regional differences in metabolite concentrations were observed across America, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Of the total variance within the data, mode of detection (MOD) accounted for up to 2.96%, sample matrix up to 3.23%, and their interaction explained up to 1.53%; the latter of which was determined to be negligible. This review was intended to inform future empirical research and method development studies and successfully synthesised pilot data. The pilot data reported in this study will inform future precision medicine initiatives aimed at targeting the kynurenine pathway by improving the availability and quality of normative data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Najwa-Joelle Metri
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ali S Butt
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Ava Murali
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
| | - Genevieve Z Steiner-Lim
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Chai K Lim
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia
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6
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Mrštná K, Kujovská Krčmová L, Švec F. Advances in kynurenine analysis. Clin Chim Acta 2023:117441. [PMID: 37321530 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Kynurenine, the first product of tryptophan degradation via the kynurenine pathway, has become one of the most frequently mentioned biomarkers in recent years. Its levels in the body indicate the state of the human physiology. Human serum and plasma are the main matrixes used to evaluate kynurenine levels and liquid chromatography is the dominant technique for its determination. However, their concentrations in blood do not always correspond to the levels in other matrixes obtained from the affected individuals. It is therefore important to decide when it is appropriate to analyse kynurenine in alternative matrices. However, liquid chromatography may not be the best option for the analysis. This review presents alternatives that can be used and summarizes the features that need to be considered prior to kynurenine determination. Possible approaches to kynurenine analysis in a variety of human matrixes, their challenges, and limitations are critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Mrštná
- The Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203/8, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
| | - L Kujovská Krčmová
- The Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203/8, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; The Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Sokolská 581, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic.
| | - F Švec
- The Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, Charles University, Akademika Heyrovského 1203/8, 50005 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Dehhaghi M, Heng B, Guillemin GJ. The kynurenine pathway in traumatic brain injuries and concussion. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1210453. [PMID: 37360356 PMCID: PMC10289013 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1210453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Up to 10 million people per annum experience traumatic brain injury (TBI), 80-90% of which are categorized as mild. A hit to the brain can cause TBI, which can lead to secondary brain injuries within minutes to weeks after the initial injury through unknown mechanisms. However, it is assumed that neurochemical changes due to inflammation, excitotoxicity, reactive oxygen species, etc., that are triggered by TBI are associated with the emergence of secondary brain injuries. The kynurenine pathway (KP) is an important pathway that gets significantly overactivated during inflammation. Some KP metabolites such as QUIN have neurotoxic effects suggesting a possible mechanism through which TBI can cause secondary brain injury. That said, this review scrutinizes the potential association between KP and TBI. A more detailed understanding of the changes in KP metabolites during TBI is essential to prevent the onset or at least attenuate the severity of secondary brain injuries. Moreover, this information is crucial for the development of biomarker/s to probe the severity of TBI and predict the risk of secondary brain injuries. Overall, this review tries to fill the knowledge gap about the role of the KP in TBI and highlights the areas that need to be studied.
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8
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Lashgari NA, Roudsari NM, Shayan M, Niazi Shahraki F, Hosseini Y, Momtaz S, Abdolghaffari AH. IDO/Kynurenine; novel insight for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Cytokine 2023; 166:156206. [PMID: 37120946 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156206] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Inflammation and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in pathogenesis of many diseases including cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, neurological diseases, and inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inflammatory mediators such as interleukins (ILs), interferons (INF-s), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are related to an extended chance of inflammatory diseases initiation or progression due to the over expression of the nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducer of activators of transcription (STAT), nod-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP), toll-like receptors (TLR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. These pathways are completely interconnected. Theindoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) subset of the kynurenine (KYN) (IDO/KYN), is a metabolic inflammatory pathway involved in production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ). It has been shown that IDO/KYN actively participates in inflammatory processes and can increase the secretion of cytokines that provoke inflammatory diseases. Data were extracted from clinical and animal studies published in English between 1990-April 2022, which were collected from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane library. IDO/KYN is completely associated with inflammatory-related pathways, thus leading to the production of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and ultimately development and progression of various inflammatory disorders. Inhibition of the IDO/KYN pathway might be a novel therapeutic option for inflammatory diseases. Herein, we gathered data on probable interactions of the IDO/KYN pathway with induction of some inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naser-Aldin Lashgari
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazanin Momeni Roudsari
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shayan
- Experimental Medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Faezeh Niazi Shahraki
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Yasamin Hosseini
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeideh Momtaz
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran; Toxicology and Diseases Group (TDG), Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), and Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; GI Pharmacology Interest Group (GPIG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari
- Department of Toxicology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; GI Pharmacology Interest Group (GPIG), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran.
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9
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Cheataini F, Ballout N, Al Sagheer T. The effect of neuroinflammation on the cerebral metabolism at baseline and after neural stimulation in neurodegenerative diseases. J Neurosci Res 2023. [PMID: 37186320 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25198] [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: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a reaction of nervous tissue to an attack caused by an infection, a toxin, or a neurodegenerative disease. It involves brain metabolism adaptation in order to meet the increased energy needs of glial cell activation, but the nature of these adaptations is still unknown. Increasing interest concerning neuroinflammation leads to the identification of its role in neurodegenerative diseases. Few reports studied the effect of metabolic alteration on neuroinflammation. Metabolic damage initiates a pro-inflammatory response by microglial activation. Moreover, the exact neuroinflammation effect on cerebral cell metabolism remains unknown. In this study, we reviewed systematically the neuroinflammation effect in animal models' brains. All articles showing the relationship of neuroinflammation with brain metabolism, or with neuronal stimulation in neurodegenerative diseases were considered. Moreover, this review examines also the mitochondrial damage effect in neurodegeneration diseases. Then, different biosensors are classified regarding their importance in the determination of metabolite change. Finally, some therapeutic drugs inhibiting neuroinflammation are cited. Neuroinflammation increases lymphocyte infiltration and cytokines' overproduction, altering cellular energy homeostasis. This review demonstrates the importance of neuroinflammation as a mediator of disease progression. Further, the spread of depolarization effects pro-inflammatory genes expression and microglial activation, which contribute to the degeneration of neurons, paving the road to better management and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Cheataini
- Neuroscience Research Center (NRC), Faculty of Medical Science, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Nissrine Ballout
- Neuroscience Research Center (NRC), Faculty of Medical Science, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Tareq Al Sagheer
- Neuroscience Research Center (NRC), Faculty of Medical Science, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
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10
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Heylen A, Vermeiren Y, Kema IP, van Faassen M, van der Ley C, Van Dam D, De Deyn PP. Brain Kynurenine Pathway Metabolite Levels May Reflect Extent of Neuroinflammation in ALS, FTD and Early Onset AD. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:ph16040615. [PMID: 37111372 PMCID: PMC10143579 DOI: 10.3390/ph16040615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Despite distinct clinical profiles, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients share a remarkable portion of pathological features, with a substantial percentage of patients displaying a mixed disease phenotype. Kynurenine metabolism seems to play a role in dementia-associated neuroinflammation and has been linked to both diseases. We aimed to explore dissimilarities in kynurenine pathway metabolites in these early onset neurodegenerative disorders in a brain-region-specific manner. METHODS Using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), kynurenine metabolite levels were determined in the brain samples of 98 healthy control subjects (n = 20) and patients with early onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) (n = 23), ALS (n = 20), FTD (n = 24) or a mixed FTD-ALS (n = 11) disease profile. RESULTS Overall, the kynurenine pathway metabolite levels were significantly lower in patients with ALS compared to FTD, EOAD and control subjects in the frontal cortex, substantia nigra, hippocampus and neostriatum. Anthranilic acid levels and kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratios were consistently lower in all investigated brain regions in ALS compared to the other diagnostic groups. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the contribution of kynurenine metabolism in neuroinflammation is lower in ALS than in FTD or EOAD and may also be traced back to differences in the age of onset between these disorders. Further research is necessary to confirm the potential of the kynurenine system as a therapeutic target in these early onset neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Heylen
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yannick Vermeiren
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group of Nutritional Biology, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ido P Kema
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martijn van Faassen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Claude van der Ley
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Debby Van Dam
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter P De Deyn
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, Experimental Neurobiology Unit, University of Antwerp, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center Groningen, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Anderson G. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathoetiology and Pathophysiology: Roles of Astrocytes, Gut Microbiome, and Muscle Interactions via the Mitochondrial Melatonergic Pathway, with Disruption by Glyphosate-Based Herbicides. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010587. [PMID: 36614029 PMCID: PMC9820185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathoetiology and pathophysiology of motor neuron loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are still to be determined, with only a small percentage of ALS patients having a known genetic risk factor. The article looks to integrate wider bodies of data on the biological underpinnings of ALS, highlighting the integrative role of alterations in the mitochondrial melatonergic pathways and systemic factors regulating this pathway across a number of crucial hubs in ALS pathophysiology, namely glia, gut, and the muscle/neuromuscular junction. It is proposed that suppression of the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway underpins changes in muscle brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and its melatonergic pathway mimic, N-acetylserotonin, leading to a lack of metabolic trophic support at the neuromuscular junction. The attenuation of the melatonergic pathway in astrocytes prevents activation of toll-like receptor agonists-induced pro-inflammatory transcription factors, NF-kB, and yin yang 1, from having a built-in limitation on inflammatory induction that arises from their synchronized induction of melatonin release. Such maintained astrocyte activation, coupled with heightened microglia reactivity, is an important driver of motor neuron susceptibility in ALS. Two important systemic factors, gut dysbiosis/permeability and pineal melatonin mediate many of their beneficial effects via their capacity to upregulate the mitochondrial melatonergic pathway in central and systemic cells. The mitochondrial melatonergic pathway may be seen as a core aspect of cellular function, with its suppression increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to ROS-induced microRNAs, thereby altering the patterning of genes induced. It is proposed that the increased occupational risk of ALS in farmers, gardeners, and sportsmen and women is intimately linked to exposure, whilst being physically active, to the widely used glyphosate-based herbicides. This has numerous research and treatment implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Anderson
- CRC Scotland & London, Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PG, UK
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12
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Jiang Z, Wang Z, Wei X, Yu XF. Inflammatory checkpoints in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: From biomarkers to therapeutic targets. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1059994. [PMID: 36618399 PMCID: PMC9815501 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1059994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron damage. Due to the complexity of the ALS, so far the etiology and underlying pathogenesis of sporadic ALS are not completely understood. Recently, many studies have emphasized the role of inflammatory networks, which are comprised of various inflammatory molecules and proteins in the pathogenesis of ALS. Inflammatory molecules and proteins may be used as independent predictors of patient survival and might be used in patient stratification and in evaluating the therapeutic response in clinical trials. This review article describes the latest advances in various inflammatory markers in ALS and its animal models. In particular, this review discusses the role of inflammatory molecule markers in the pathogenesis of the disease and their relationship with clinical parameters. We also highlight the advantages and disadvantages of applying inflammatory markers in clinical manifestations, animal studies, and drug clinical trials. Further, we summarize the potential application of some inflammatory biomarkers as new therapeutic targets and therapeutic strategies, which would perhaps expand the therapeutic interventions for ALS.
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13
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Li D, Yu S, Long Y, Shi A, Deng J, Ma Y, Wen J, Li X, Liu S, Zhang Y, Wan J, Li N, Ao R. Tryptophan metabolism: Mechanism-oriented therapy for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Front Immunol 2022; 13:985378. [PMID: 36159806 PMCID: PMC9496178 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.985378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological and psychiatric disorders are a category of chronic diseases that are widespread and pose serious mental and physical health problems for patients. The substrates, products, and enzymes of Tryptophan metabolism all contribute to the development of neurological and psychiatric disorders. This paper deals with three metabolic pathways of tryptophan that produce a series of metabolites called tryptophan Catabolics (TRYCATs). These metabolites are involved in pathological processes such as excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial damage and are closely associated with neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Here, we review the elements that affect how tryptophan metabolism is regulated, including inflammation and stress, exercise, vitamins, minerals, diet and gut microbes, glucocorticoids, and aging, as well as the downstream regulatory effects of tryptophan metabolism, including the regulation of glutamate (Glu), immunity, G-protein coupled receptor 35 (Gpr35), nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and dopamine (DA). In order to advance the general understanding of tryptophan metabolism in neurological and psychiatric disorders, this paper also summarizes the current situation and effective drugs of tryptophan metabolism in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders and considers its future research prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Long
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ai Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Songyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinyan Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Nan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Nan Li, ; Rui Ao,
| | - Rui Ao
- Oncology Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Nan Li, ; Rui Ao,
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Tanaka M, Szabó Á, Spekker E, Polyák H, Tóth F, Vécsei L. Mitochondrial Impairment: A Common Motif in Neuropsychiatric Presentation? The Link to the Tryptophan-Kynurenine Metabolic System. Cells 2022; 11:cells11162607. [PMID: 36010683 PMCID: PMC9406499 DOI: 10.3390/cells11162607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nearly half a century has passed since the discovery of cytoplasmic inheritance of human chloramphenicol resistance. The inheritance was then revealed to take place maternally by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Later, a number of mutations in mtDNA were identified as a cause of severe inheritable metabolic diseases with neurological manifestation, and the impairment of mitochondrial functions has been probed in the pathogenesis of a wide range of illnesses including neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, a growing number of preclinical studies have revealed that animal behaviors are influenced by the impairment of mitochondrial functions and possibly by the loss of mitochondrial stress resilience. Indeed, as high as 54% of patients with one of the most common primary mitochondrial diseases, mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome, present psychiatric symptoms including cognitive impairment, mood disorder, anxiety, and psychosis. Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles which produce cellular energy and play a major role in other cellular functions including homeostasis, cellular signaling, and gene expression, among others. Mitochondrial functions are observed to be compromised and to become less resilient under continuous stress. Meanwhile, stress and inflammation have been linked to the activation of the tryptophan (Trp)-kynurenine (KYN) metabolic system, which observably contributes to the development of pathological conditions including neurological and psychiatric disorders. This review discusses the functions of mitochondria and the Trp-KYN system, the interaction of the Trp-KYN system with mitochondria, and the current understanding of the involvement of mitochondria and the Trp-KYN system in preclinical and clinical studies of major neurological and psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaru Tanaka
- ELKH-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, University of Szeged (ELKH-SZTE), Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Szabó
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Eleonóra Spekker
- ELKH-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, University of Szeged (ELKH-SZTE), Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Helga Polyák
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor 6, H-6720 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Fanni Tóth
- ELKH-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, University of Szeged (ELKH-SZTE), Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Vécsei
- ELKH-SZTE Neuroscience Research Group, Danube Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, University of Szeged (ELKH-SZTE), Tisza Lajos krt. 113, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis u. 6, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +36-62-545-351
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15
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Sanz I, Altomare A, Mondanelli G, Protti M, Valsecchi V, Mercolini L, Volpi C, Regazzoni L. Chromatographic measurement of 3-hydroxyanthranilate 3,4-dioxygenase activity reveals that edaravone can mitigate the formation of quinolinic acid through a direct enzyme inhibition. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 219:114948. [PMID: 35907317 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114948] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Herein it is reported the development and application of two chromatographic assays for the measurement of the activity of 3-Hydroxyanthranilate-3,4-dioxygenase (3HAO). Such an enzyme converts 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) to 2-amino-3-carboxymuconic semialdehyde (ACMS), which undergo a spontaneous, non-enzymatic cyclization to produce quinolinic acid (QUIN). The enzyme activity was measured by quantitation of the substrate consumption over time either with spectrophotometric (UV) or mass spectrometric (MS) detection upon reversed-phase chromatographic separation. MS detection resulted more selective and sensitive, but less accurate and precise. However, both methods have sufficient sensitivity to allow the measurement of enzyme activity with consistent results compared to literature data. Since MS detection allowed less sample consumption it was used to calculate the kinetics parameters (i.e., Vmax and Kd) of recombinant 3HAO. Another MS-based method was then developed to measure the amount of QUIN produced, revealing an incomplete conversion of 3HAA to QUIN. As suggested by previous studies, the enzyme activity was apparently sensitive to the redox state of the enzyme thiols. In fact, thiol reducing agents such as dithiothreitol (DTT) and glutathione (GSH), can alter the enzyme activity although the investigation on the exact mechanism involved in such effect was beyond the scope of the research. Interestingly, edaravone (EDA) induced an in vitro suppression of QUIN production through direct, competitive 3HAO inhibition. EDA is a molecule approved for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease associated with an increase of QUIN concentrations in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Although EDA was reported to mitigate ALS progression its mode of action is still largely unknown. Some studies reported antioxidant and radical scavenger properties of EDA, but none confirm a direct activity as 3HAO enzyme inhibitor. Since QUIN is reported to be a neurotoxic metabolite, 3HAO inhibition can contribute to the beneficial effect of EDA in ALS, although such a mechanism must be then confirmed in vivo. However, EDA might be a convenient scaffold for the design of selective 3HAO inhibitors with potential applications in ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Sanz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Altomare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giada Mondanelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Via Gambuli 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Protti
- Research group of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis (PTA Lab), Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Valsecchi
- Department of Neuroscience and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Mercolini
- Research group of Pharmaco-Toxicological Analysis (PTA Lab), Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Claudia Volpi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Via Gambuli 1, 06132, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luca Regazzoni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Via Mangiagalli 25, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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Chen Z, Fu L, Liu XA, Yang Z, Li W, Li F, Luo Q. Real-time effects of nicotine exposure and withdrawal on neurotransmitter metabolism of hippocampal neuronal cells by microfluidic chip-coupled LC-MS. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2021.09.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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17
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Ning J, Huang SY, Chen SD, Zhang YR, Huang YY, Yu JT. Investigating Casual Associations Among Gut Microbiota, Metabolites, and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Mendelian Randomization Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 87:211-222. [PMID: 35275534 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies had explored that gut microbiota was associated with neurodegenerative diseases (including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)) through the gut-brain axis, among which metabolic pathways played an important role. However, the underlying causality remained unclear. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to evaluate potential causal relationships between gut microbiota, metabolites, and neurodegenerative diseases through Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS We selected genetic variants associated with gut microbiota traits (N = 18,340) and gut microbiota-derived metabolites (N = 7,824) from genome-wide association studies. Summary statistics of neurodegenerative diseases were obtained from IGAP (AD, 17,008 cases; 37,154 controls), IPDGC (PD, 37,688 cases; 141,779 controls), and IALSC (ALS, 20,806 cases; 59,804 controls) respectively. RESULTS Greater abundance of Ruminococcus (OR, 1.245; 95% CI, 1.103-1.405; p = 0.0004) was found significantly related to higher risk of ALS. Besides, our study found suggestive associations of Actinobacteria, Lactobacillaceae, Faecalibacterium, Ruminiclostridium, and Lachnoclostridium with AD, of Lentisphaerae, Lentisphaeria, Oxalobacteraceae, Victivallales, Bacillales, Eubacteriumhalliigroup, Anaerostipes, and Clostridiumsensustricto1 with PD, and of Lachnospira, Fusicatenibacter, Catenibacterium, and Ruminococcusgnavusgroup with ALS. Our study also revealed suggestive associations between 12 gut microbiome-dependent metabolites and neurodegenerative diseases. Glutamine was related to lower risk of AD. For the serotonin pathway, serotonin was found as a protective factor of PD, while kynurenine as a risk factor for ALS. CONCLUSION Our study firstly applied a two-sample MR approach to detect causal relationships among gut microbiota, gut metabolites, and neurodegenerative diseases. Our findings may provide new targets for treatments and may offer valuable insights for further studies on the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ning
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Yi Huang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - Shi-Dong Chen
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Ru Zhang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Yuan Huang
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,National Center for Neurological Disorders, Shanghai, China
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18
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Li C, Zhu Y, Chen W, Li M, Yang M, Shen Z, Zhou Y, Wang L, Wang H, Li S, Ma J, Gong M, Xu R. Circulating NAD+ Metabolism-Derived Genes Unveils Prognostic and Peripheral Immune Infiltration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:831273. [PMID: 35155438 PMCID: PMC8831892 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.831273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) metabolism has drawn more attention on neurodegeneration research; however, the role in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) remains to be fully elucidated. Here, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether the circulating NAD+ metabolic-related gene signature could be identified as a reliable biomarker for ALS survival. Methods: A retrospective analysis of whole blood transcriptional profiles and clinical characteristics of 454 ALS patients was conducted in this study. A series of bioinformatics and machine-learning methods were combined to establish NAD+ metabolic-derived risk score (NPRS) to predict overall survival for ALS patients. The associations of clinical characteristic with NPRS were analyzed and compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and the calibration curve were utilized to assess the efficacy of prognostic model. Besides, the peripheral immune cell infiltration was assessed in different risk subgroups by applying the CIBERSORT algorithm. Results: Abnormal activation of the NAD+ metabolic pathway occurs in the peripheral blood of ALS patients. Four subtypes with distinct prognosis were constructed based on NAD+ metabolism-related gene expression patterns by using the consensus clustering method. A comparison of the expression profiles of genes related to NAD+ metabolism in different subtypes revealed that the synthase of NAD+ was closely associated with prognosis. Seventeen genes were selected to construct prognostic risk signature by LASSO regression. The NPRS exhibited stronger prognostic capacity compared to traditional clinic-pathological parameters. High NPRS was characterized by NAD+ metabolic exuberant with an unfavorable prognosis. The infiltration levels of several immune cells, such as CD4 naive T cells, CD8 T cells, neutrophils and macrophages, are significantly associated with NPRS. Further clinicopathological analysis revealed that NPRS is more appropriate for predicting the prognostic risk of patients with spinal onset. A prognostic nomogram exhibited more accurate survival prediction compared with other clinicopathological features. Conclusions: In conclusion, it was first proposed that the circulating NAD+ metabolism-derived gene signature is a promising biomarker to predict clinical outcomes, and ultimately facilitating the precise management of patients with ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Li
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Zhu, , ; Renshi Xu, ,
| | - Wenzhi Chen
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Menghua Li
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Mi Yang
- Department of Medical Service, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Affiliated Nanchang Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ziyang Shen
- School of Computer and Information Engineering, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yiyi Zhou
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shu Li
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiacheng Ma
- School of Aircraft Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, China
| | - Mengni Gong
- Medical Examination Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Affiliated People’s Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Yu Zhu, , ; Renshi Xu, ,
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19
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Staats KA, Borchelt DR, Tansey MG, Wymer J. Blood-based biomarkers of inflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:11. [PMID: 35073950 PMCID: PMC8785449 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00515-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease in which many processes are detected including (neuro)inflammation. Many drugs have been tested for ALS in clinical trials but most have failed to reach their primary endpoints. The development and inclusion of different types of biomarkers in diagnosis and clinical trials can assist in determining target engagement of a drug, in distinguishing between ALS and other diseases, and in predicting disease progression rate, drug responsiveness, or an adverse event. Ideally, among other characteristics, a biomarker in ALS correlates highly with a disease process in the central nervous system or with disease progression and is conveniently obtained in a peripheral tissue. Here, we describe the state of biomarkers of inflammation in ALS by focusing on peripherally detectable and cellular responses from blood cells, and provide new (combinatorial) directions for exploration that are now feasible due to technological advancements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim A. Staats
- Staats Life Sciences Consulting, LLC, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - David R. Borchelt
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, McKnight Brain Institute, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida USA
| | - Malú Gámez Tansey
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease at The University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida USA
| | - James Wymer
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida USA
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20
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The Kynurenine Pathway as a Potential Target for Neuropathic Pain Therapy Design: From Basic Research to Clinical Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011055. [PMID: 34681715 PMCID: PMC8537209 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests the key role of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of the tryptophan metabolism in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Despite extensive research aimed at clarifying the mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain, the roles of KP metabolites in this process are still not fully known. Although the function of the peripheral KP has been known for several years, it has only recently been acknowledged that its metabolites within the central nervous system have remarkable consequences related to physiology and behavior. Both the products and metabolites of the KP are involved in the pathogenesis of pain conditions. Apart from the neuroactive properties of kynurenines, the KP regulates several neurotransmitter systems in direct or indirect ways. Some neuroactive metabolites are known to have neuroprotective properties (kynurenic acid, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide cofactor), while others are toxic (3-hydroxykynurenine, quinolinic acid). Numerous animal models show that modulation of the KP may turn out to be a viable target for the treatment of diseases. Importantly, some compounds that affect KP enzymes are currently described to possess analgesic properties. Additionally, kynurenine metabolites may be useful for assessing response to therapy or as biomarkers in therapeutic monitoring. The following review describes the molecular site of action and changes in the levels of metabolites of the kynurenine pathway in the pathogenesis of various conditions, with a particular emphasis on their involvement in neuropathy. Moreover, the potential clinical implications of KP modulation in chronic pain therapy as well as the directions of new research initiatives are discussed.
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21
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Anderson EW, Fishbein J, Hong J, Roeser J, Furie RA, Aranow C, Volpe BT, Diamond B, Mackay M. Quinolinic acid, a kynurenine/tryptophan pathway metabolite, associates with impaired cognitive test performance in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus Sci Med 2021; 8:e000559. [PMID: 34686589 PMCID: PMC8543639 DOI: 10.1136/lupus-2021-000559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Interferon-alpha, an important contributor to SLE pathogenesis, induces the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in the kynurenine/tryptophan (KYN/TRP) pathway. This leads to a potentially neurotoxic imbalance in the KYN/TRP pathway metabolites, quinolinic acid (QA), an N-methyl D-aspartate glutamatergic receptor (NMDAR) agonist, and kynurenic acid (KA), an NMDAR antagonist. We determined whether QA/KA ratios associate with cognitive dysfunction (CD) and depression in SLE. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 74 subjects with SLE and 74 healthy control (HC) subjects; all without history of neuropsychiatric disorders. Serum metabolite levels (KYN, TRP, QA, KA) were measured concurrently with assessments of cognition (Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), 2×2 array), mood and pain, and compared between SLE and HC. Multivariable modelling in SLE was used to evaluate associations of metabolites with cognitive performance and depression. RESULTS Serum KYN/TRP and QA/KA ratios were elevated in SLE versus HC (p<0.0001). SLE performed worse than HC on four of five ANAM tests (all p≤0.02) and the 2×2 array (p<0.01), and had higher depression scores (p<0.01). In SLE, elevated QA/KA ratios correlated with poor performance on Match to Sample (MTS), a working memory and visuospatial processing task (p<0.05). Subjects with SLE with elevated QA/KA ratios also had slightly higher odds of depression, but this did not reach significance (p=0.09). Multivariable modelling in SLE confirmed an association between QA/KA ratios and poor MTS performance when considering potentially confounding factors (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Elevated serum KYN/TRP and QA/KA ratios confirm KYN/TRP pathway activation in SLE. The novel association between increased QA/KA ratios and poor cognitive performance supports further study of this pathway as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for SLE-mediated CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik W Anderson
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Joanna Fishbein
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Joseph Hong
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Julien Roeser
- Charles River Laboratories, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Richard A Furie
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Cynthia Aranow
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Bruce T Volpe
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Betty Diamond
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Meggan Mackay
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
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22
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Yan J, Kuzhiumparambil U, Bandodkar S, Dale RC, Fu S. Cerebrospinal fluid metabolomics: detection of neuroinflammation in human central nervous system disease. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1318. [PMID: 34386234 PMCID: PMC8343457 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The high morbidity and mortality of neuroinflammatory diseases drives significant interest in understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in the innate and adaptive immune response of the central nervous system (CNS). Diagnostic biomarkers are important to define treatable neuroinflammation. Metabolomics is a rapidly evolving research area offering novel insights into metabolic pathways, and elucidation of reliable metabolites as biomarkers for diseases. This review focuses on the emerging literature regarding the detection of neuroinflammation using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metabolomics in human cohort studies. Studies of classic neuroinflammatory disorders such as encephalitis, CNS infection and multiple sclerosis confirm the utility of CSF metabolomics. Additionally, studies in neurodegeneration and neuropsychiatry support the emerging potential of CSF metabolomics to detect neuroinflammation in common CNS diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and depression. We demonstrate metabolites in the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, nitric oxide pathway, neopterin and major lipid species show moderately consistent ability to differentiate patients with neuroinflammation from controls. Integration of CSF metabolomics into clinical practice is warranted to improve recognition and treatment of neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingya Yan
- Centre for Forensic ScienceUniversity of Technology SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | | | - Sushil Bandodkar
- Department of Clinical BiochemistryThe Children's Hospital at WestmeadSydneyNSWAustralia
- Clinical SchoolThe Children's Hospital at WestmeadFaculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Russell C Dale
- Clinical SchoolThe Children's Hospital at WestmeadFaculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Shanlin Fu
- Centre for Forensic ScienceUniversity of Technology SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
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Bai MY, Lovejoy DB, Guillemin GJ, Kozak R, Stone TW, Koola MM. Galantamine-Memantine Combination and Kynurenine Pathway Enzyme Inhibitors in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Complex Psychiatry 2021; 7:19-33. [PMID: 35141700 PMCID: PMC8443947 DOI: 10.1159/000515066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway (KP) is a major route for L-tryptophan (L-TRP) metabolism, yielding a variety of bioactive compounds including kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), quinolinic acid (QUIN), and picolinic acid (PIC). These tryptophan catabolites are involved in the pathogenesis of many neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly when the KP becomes dysregulated. Accordingly, the enzymes that regulate the KP such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)/tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs), and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) represent potential drug targets as enzymatic inhibition can favorably rebalance KP metabolite concentrations. In addition, the galantamine-memantine combination, through its modulatory effects at the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, may counteract the effects of KYNA. The aim of this review is to highlight the effectiveness of IDO-1, KAT II, and KMO inhibitors, as well as the galantamine-memantine combination in the modulation of different KP metabolites. KAT II inhibitors are capable of decreasing the KYNA levels in the rat brain by a maximum of 80%. KMO inhibitors effectively reduce the central nervous system (CNS) levels of 3-HK, while markedly boosting the brain concentration of KYNA. Emerging data suggest that the galantamine-memantine combination also lowers L-TRP, kynurenine, KYNA, and PIC levels in humans. Presently, there are only 2 pathophysiological mechanisms (cholinergic and glutamatergic) that are FDA approved for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction for which purpose the galantamine-memantine combination has been designed for clinical use against Alzheimer's disease. The alpha7 nicotinic-NMDA hypothesis targeted by the galantamine-memantine combination has been implicated in the pathophysiology of various CNS diseases. Similarly, KYNA is well capable of modulating the neuropathophysiology of these disorders. This is known as the KYNA-centric hypothesis, which may be implicated in the management of certain neuropsychiatric conditions. In line with this hypothesis, KYNA may be considered as the "conductor of the orchestra" for the major pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CNS disorders. Therefore, there is great opportunity to further explore and compare the biological effects of these therapeutic modalities in animal models with a special focus on their effects on KP metabolites in the CNS and with the ultimate goal of progressing to clinical trials for many neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y. Bai
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - David B. Lovejoy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neuroinflammation Group, Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rouba Kozak
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trevor W. Stone
- Nuffield Department of Orthopedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maju Mathew Koola
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA
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Fifita JA, Chan Moi Fat S, McCann EP, Williams KL, Twine NA, Bauer DC, Rowe DB, Pamphlett R, Kiernan MC, Tan VX, Blair IP, Guillemin GJ. Genetic Analysis of Tryptophan Metabolism Genes in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:701550. [PMID: 34194442 PMCID: PMC8236844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.701550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The essential amino acid tryptophan (TRP) is the initiating metabolite of the kynurenine pathway (KP), which can be upregulated by inflammatory conditions in cells. Neuroinflammation-triggered activation of the KP and excessive production of the KP metabolite quinolinic acid are common features of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In addition to its role in the KP, genes involved in TRP metabolism, including its incorporation into proteins, and synthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, have also been genetically and functionally linked to these diseases. ALS is a late onset neurodegenerative disease that is classified as familial or sporadic, depending on the presence or absence of a family history of the disease. Heritability estimates support a genetic basis for all ALS, including the sporadic form of the disease. However, the genetic basis of sporadic ALS (SALS) is complex, with the presence of multiple gene variants acting to increase disease susceptibility and is further complicated by interaction with potential environmental factors. We aimed to determine the genetic contribution of 18 genes involved in TRP metabolism, including protein synthesis, serotonin synthesis and the KP, by interrogating whole-genome sequencing data from 614 Australian sporadic ALS cases. Five genes in the KP (AFMID, CCBL1, GOT2, KYNU, HAAO) were found to have either novel protein-altering variants, and/or a burden of rare protein-altering variants in SALS cases compared to controls. Four genes involved in TRP metabolism for protein synthesis (WARS) and serotonin synthesis (TPH1, TPH2, MAOA) were also found to carry novel variants and/or gene burden. These variants may represent ALS risk factors that act to alter the KP and lead to neuroinflammation. These findings provide further evidence for the role of TRP metabolism, the KP and neuroinflammation in ALS disease pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A. Fifita
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sandrine Chan Moi Fat
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Emily P. McCann
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kelly L. Williams
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie A. Twine
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Health & Biosecurity Flagship, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Denis C. Bauer
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Health & Biosecurity Flagship, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Applied BioSciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dominic B. Rowe
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Roger Pamphlett
- Discipline of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Neuropathology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vanessa X. Tan
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ian P. Blair
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Macquarie University Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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25
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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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Some CSF Kynurenine Pathway Intermediates Associated with Disease Evolution in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11050691. [PMID: 34063031 PMCID: PMC8147980 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the kynurenine pathway (KP) and amino acids profile, using mass spectrometry, in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 42 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients at the diagnosis and 40 controls to detect early disorders of these pathways. Diagnostic and predictive ability (based on weight loss, forced vital capacity, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised evolution over 12 months, and survival time) of these metabolites were evaluated using univariate followed by supervised multivariate analysis. The multivariate model between ALS and controls was not significant but highlighted some KP metabolites (kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-Hydroxynurenine (3-HK)/KYNA ratio), and amino acids (Lysine, asparagine) as involved in the discrimination between groups (accuracy 62%). It revealed a probable KP impairment toward neurotoxicity in ALS patients and in bulbar forms. Regarding the prognostic effect of metabolites, 12 were commonly discriminant for at least 3 of 4 disease evolution criteria. This investigation was crucial as it did not show significant changes in CSF concentrations of amino acids and KP intermediates in early ALS evolution. However, trends of KP modifications suggest further exploration. The unclear kinetics of neuroinflammation linked to KP support the interest in exploring these pathways during disease evolution through a longitudinal strategy.
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Papaverine, a Phosphodiesterase 10A Inhibitor, Ameliorates Quinolinic Acid-Induced Synaptotoxicity in Human Cortical Neurons. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:1238-1250. [PMID: 33914237 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00368-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase-10A (PDE10A) hydrolyse the secondary messengers cGMP and cAMP, two molecules playing important roles in neurodevelopment and brain functions. PDE10A is associated to progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases, and a critical role in cognitive functions. The present study was undertaken to determine the possible neuroprotective effects and the associated mechanism of papaverine (PAP), a PDE10A isoenzyme inhibitor, against quinolinic acid (QUIN)-induced excitotoxicity using human primary cortical neurons. Cytotoxicity potential of PAP was analysed using MTS assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured by DCF-DA and JC10 staining, respectively. Caspase 3/7 and cAMP levels were measured using ELISA kits. Effect of PAP on the CREB, BNDF and synaptic proteins such as SAP-97, synaptophysin, synapsin-I, and PSD-95 expression was analysed by Western blot. Pre-treatment with PAP increased intracellular cAMP and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels, restored mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and decreased ROS and caspase 3/7 content in QUIN exposed neurons. PAP up-regulated CREB and BDNF, and synaptic protein expression. In summary, these data indicate that PDE10A is involved in QUIN-mediated synaptotoxicity and its inhibition elicit neuroprotection by reducing the oxidative stress and protecting synaptic proteins via up-regulation of cAMP signalling cascade.
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28
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Garcez ML, Tan VX, Heng B, Guillemin GJ. Sodium Butyrate and Indole-3-propionic Acid Prevent the Increase of Cytokines and Kynurenine Levels in LPS-induced Human Primary Astrocytes. Int J Tryptophan Res 2021; 13:1178646920978404. [PMID: 33447046 PMCID: PMC7780186 DOI: 10.1177/1178646920978404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The crosstalk between central nervous system (CNS) and gut microbiota plays key roles in neuroinflammation and chronic immune activation that are common features of all neurodegenerative diseases. Imbalance in the microbiota can lead to an increase in the intestinal permeability allowing toxins to diffuse and reach the CNS, as well as impairing the production of neuroprotective metabolites such as sodium butyrate (SB) and indole-3-propionic acid (IPA). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of SB and IPA on LPS-induced production of cytokines and tryptophan metabolites in human astrocytes. Primary cultures of human astrocytes were pre-incubated with SB or IPA for 1 hour before treatment with LPS. Cell viability was not affected at 24, 48 or 72 hours after pre-treatment with SB, IPA or LPS treatment. SB was able to significantly prevent the increase of GM-CSF, MCP-1, IL-6 IL-12, and IL-13 triggered by LPS. SB and IPA also prevented inflammation indicated by the increase in kynurenine and kynurenine/tryptophan ratio induced by LPS treatment. IPA pre-treatment prevented the LPS-induced increase in MCP-1, IL-12, IL-13, and TNF-α levels 24 hours after pre-treatment, but had no effect on tryptophan metabolites. The present study showed for the first time that bacterial metabolites SB and IPA have potential anti-inflammatory effect on primary human astrocytes with potential therapeutic benefit in neurodegenerative disease characterized by the presence of chronic low-grade inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Garcez
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.,Neurodegenerative diseases Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vanessa X Tan
- Neurodegenerative diseases Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Benjamin Heng
- Neurodegenerative diseases Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neurodegenerative diseases Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,PANDIS.org, Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC, Australia
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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: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [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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30
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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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31
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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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32
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Xie N, Zhang L, Gao W, Huang C, Huber PE, Zhou X, Li C, Shen G, Zou B. NAD + metabolism: pathophysiologic mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2020; 5:227. [PMID: 33028824 PMCID: PMC7539288 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-020-00311-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 358] [Impact Index Per Article: 89.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and its metabolites function as critical regulators to maintain physiologic processes, enabling the plastic cells to adapt to environmental changes including nutrient perturbation, genotoxic factors, circadian disorder, infection, inflammation and xenobiotics. These effects are mainly achieved by the driving effect of NAD+ on metabolic pathways as enzyme cofactors transferring hydrogen in oxidation-reduction reactions. Besides, multiple NAD+-dependent enzymes are involved in physiology either by post-synthesis chemical modification of DNA, RNA and proteins, or releasing second messenger cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) and NAADP+. Prolonged disequilibrium of NAD+ metabolism disturbs the physiological functions, resulting in diseases including metabolic diseases, cancer, aging and neurodegeneration disorder. In this review, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of NAD+-regulated physiological responses to stresses, the contribution of NAD+ deficiency to various diseases via manipulating cellular communication networks and the potential new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Wei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Canhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611137, China
| | - Peter Ernst Huber
- CCU Molecular and Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center; Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- First Department of Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Changlong Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Guobo Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Bingwen Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, and West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, and Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- CCU Molecular and Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center; Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Thoracic Oncology and Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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Nassan FL, Gunn JA, Hill MM, Williams PL, Hauser R. Association of urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites with quinolinic acid among women: A potential link to neurological disorders. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 138:105643. [PMID: 32179323 PMCID: PMC7136979 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quinolinic acid (QA), a neuroactive metabolite produced during tryptophan degradation, is implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurological disorders. Phthalates are structurally similar to QA, and exposure to phthalates has demonstrated increased QA production and excretion in rodent studies. We recently showed that very high exposure to dibutyl phthalate was associated with higher concentrations of urinary QA in men. However, no human studies examined the associations between background (low) phthalate exposures and QA. OBJECTIVES To examine the associations of urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites with QA. METHODS Female participants (N = 126) who participated in a prospective cohort study at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center provided 758 urine samples (273 during pregnancy and 485 during non-pregnancy). Concentrations of 11 phthalate metabolites and QA in urine were measured. We used multivariable linear mixed effect models to estimate the percent change in urinary QA concentrations associated with a doubling (100%) of urinary phthalate metabolite concentration, and evaluated whether there was effect modification by pregnancy status. RESULTS Women's mean (standard deviation) age was 34.2 (4.0) years with a body mass index of 23.5 (3.7) kg/m2. The women were primarily Caucasian (92%), had at least a college degree (98%), and none were current smokers. Pairwise Spearman correlations between concentrations for phthalate metabolites and QA measured in the same urine samples ranged from 0.36 for MEHP to 0.68 for dibutyl phthalate (DBP) metabolites. In multivariable-adjusted models, the percent change in urinary QA concentrations was significantly higher for each doubling of several urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations. For example, each doubling of DBP metabolites was associated with a 13.7% (95%CI: 10.6, 16.9)% higher QA. Associations between the low molecular weight phthalate metabolites and QA were stronger among samples collected during pregnancy as compared to non-pregnancy samples from the same women. CONCLUSIONS Urinary concentrations of several phthalate metabolites were positively associated with QA among women. These findings, along with the known neurotoxicity of QA, warrant the need to examine whether QA concentrations may serve as a pathway for the adverse neurodevelopment outcomes found in children's health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiby L Nassan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | | | - Paige L Williams
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Christoforidou E, Joilin G, Hafezparast M. Potential of activated microglia as a source of dysregulated extracellular microRNAs contributing to neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:135. [PMID: 32345319 PMCID: PMC7187511 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01822-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of motor neuron degeneration in adults, and several mechanisms underlying the disease pathology have been proposed. It has been shown that glia communicate with other cells by releasing extracellular vesicles containing proteins and nucleic acids, including microRNAs (miRNAs), which play a role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Dysregulation of miRNAs is commonly observed in ALS patients, together with inflammation and an altered microglial phenotype. However, the role of miRNA-containing vesicles in microglia-to-neuron communication in the context of ALS has not been explored in depth. This review summarises the evidence for the presence of inflammation, pro-inflammatory microglia and dysregulated miRNAs in ALS, then explores how microglia may potentially be responsible for this miRNA dysregulation. The possibility of pro-inflammatory ALS microglia releasing miRNAs which may then enter neuronal cells to contribute to degeneration is also explored. Based on the literature reviewed here, microglia are a likely source of dysregulated miRNAs and potential mediators of neurodegenerative processes. Therefore, dysregulated miRNAs may be promising candidates for the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Greig Joilin
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Majid Hafezparast
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QG, UK.
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Application of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor nanopore in screening ligand molecules. Bioelectrochemistry 2020; 134:107534. [PMID: 32335354 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2020.107534] [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: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are crucial for excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. To study NMDARs more accurately and conveniently, we developed a stable NMDAR nanopore in a planar lipid bilayer. Pharmacological properties were validated using the allosteric modulator Ro 25-6981 and antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (D-APV). The cyanotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) found in fresh water systems is suspected to be associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, BMAA and its two isomers L-2, 4-Diaminobutyric acid dihydrochloride (DAB) and N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine (AEG) and an endogenous excitotoxin, quinolinic acid (QA), were studied using the NMDAR nanopores to assess their effects on NMDAR modulation. We demonstrated that the NMDAR nanopore could reliably detect its ligand molecules at the single-channel level. The study also demonstrated the practicability of NMDAR nanopores, and results were validated using two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) recording. Compared with TEVC recording, the NMDAR nanopores conducted ion channel gating at the single-channel level without being affected by other proteins on the cell membrane. The highly sensitive and accurate NMDAR nanopore technique thus has a unique advantage in screening NMDAR ligand molecules that could be associated with neurodegenerative disease.
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Wang L, Zhang L. Circulating MicroRNAs as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Motor Neuron Disease. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:354. [PMID: 32372911 PMCID: PMC7177050 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor neuron disease (MND) is a kind of neurodegenerative disease that selectively invades spinal cord anterior horn cells, brainstem motor neurons, cortical pyramidal cells and the pyramidal tract. The main clinical features are the symptoms and signs of impaired upper and lower motor neurons, manifested as muscle weakness, atrophy and pyramidal tract signs. Histopathology has shown the disappearance of pyramidal cells in the motor cortex, loss of motor neurons in the anterior horn of the spinal cord and brainstem, and degeneration of the corticospinal tract. Due to the lack of effective treatment methods, the prognosis is generally poor, so it is of great significance to confirm the diagnosis early by various means. However, the current diagnosis of MND mainly relies on the combination of clinical manifestations and neurophysiological examinations, lacking effective means of early diagnosis. Circulating microRNA (CmiRNA) is a kind of stable miRNA molecule in serum, plasma and other body fluids, which has the characteristics of distinct differential expression, sensitive detection and convenient sample collection. As a possible new biomarker of MND, CmiRNA can not only reveal the pathophysiological process of MND, but also monitor disease progression and response to drug therapy. With the development of miRNA detection technology, more and more CmiRNAs as biomarkers with potential diagnostic value have been investigated. In this review, we explored the possibility of circulating samples as different sources of biomarkers for the diagnosis of MND, analyzing the progress of CmiRNA detection techniques, and presenting potential diagnostic MND biomarkers that have been reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lijuan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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37
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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: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [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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38
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Exploring the Etiological Links behind Neurodegenerative Diseases: Inflammatory Cytokines and Bioactive Kynurenines. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072431. [PMID: 32244523 PMCID: PMC7177899 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), presenting a broad range of symptoms from motor dysfunctions to psychobehavioral manifestations. A common clinical course is the proteinopathy-induced neural dysfunction leading to anatomically corresponding neuropathies. However, current diagnostic criteria based on pathology and symptomatology are of little value for the sake of disease prevention and drug development. Overviewing the pathomechanism of NDs, this review incorporates systematic reviews on inflammatory cytokines and tryptophan metabolites kynurenines (KYNs) of human samples, to present an inferential method to explore potential links behind NDs. The results revealed increases of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotoxic KYNs in NDs, increases of anti-inflammatory cytokines in AD, PD, Huntington's disease (HD), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders, and decreases of neuromodulatory KYNs in AD, PD, and HD. The results reinforced a strong link between inflammation and neurotoxic KYNs, confirmed activation of adaptive immune response, and suggested a possible role in the decrease of neuromodulatory KYNs, all of which may contribute to the development of chronic low grade inflammation. Commonalities of multifactorial NDs were discussed to present a current limit of diagnostic criteria, a need for preclinical biomarkers, and an approach to search the initiation factors of NDs.
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Monoaminergic and Kynurenergic Characterization of Frontotemporal Dementia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum. Neurochem Res 2020; 45:1191-1201. [PMID: 32130630 PMCID: PMC7162843 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-020-03002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the neurochemical continuum between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with respect to monoamines and kynurenines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum, may be useful to identify possible new research/therapeutic targets. Hence, we analysed monoamines and kynurenines in CSF and serum derived from patients with FTD (n = 39), ALS (n = 23), FTD-ALS (n = 4) and age-matched control subjects (n = 26), using reversed-phase ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-UHPLC) with electrochemical detection (ECD) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. We noted a shared dopaminergic disturbance in FTD and ALS when compared to CONTR, with significantly increased serum DA levels and decreased DOPAC concentrations, as well as decreased DOPAC/DA ratios in both disease groups. In CSF, significantly reduced DOPAC concentrations in FTD and ALS were observed as well. Here, a significant increase in DA levels and decrease in DOPAC/DA ratios was only found in FTD relative to CONTR. With respect to the kynurenine pathway (KP), we only found decreased HK/XA ratios, indicative for vitamin B6 status, in serum of ALS subjects compared to FTD. The dopaminergic commonalities observed in FTD and ALS might relate to a disturbance of dopaminergic nerve terminals in projection areas of the substantia nigra and/or ventral tegmental area, although these findings should first be confirmed in brain tissue. Lastly, based on the results of this work, the KP does not hold promise as a research/therapeutic target in FTD and ALS.
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40
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Sühs KW, Novoselova N, Kuhn M, Seegers L, Kaever V, Müller-Vahl K, Trebst C, Skripuletz T, Stangel M, Pessler F. Kynurenine Is a Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker for Bacterial and Viral Central Nervous System Infections. J Infect Dis 2020; 220:127-138. [PMID: 30721966 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tryptophan-kynurenine-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized; NAD+) pathway is closely associated with regulation of immune cells toward less inflammatory phenotypes and may exert neuroprotective effects. Investigating its regulation in central nervous system (CNS) infections would improve our understanding of pathophysiology and end-organ damage, and, furthermore, open doors to its evaluation as a source of diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers. METHODS We measured concentrations of kynurenine (Kyn) and tryptophan (Trp) in 221 cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with bacterial and viral (due to herpes simplex, varicella zoster, and enteroviruses) meningitis/encephalitis, neuroborreliosis, autoimmune neuroinflammation (due to anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor [NMDA] encephalitis and multiple sclerosis), and noninflamed controls (ie, individuals with Bell palsy, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or Tourette syndrome). RESULTS Kyn concentrations correlated strongly with CSF markers of neuroinflammation (ie, leukocyte count, lactate concentration, and blood-CSF-barrier dysfunction), were highly increased in bacterial and viral CNS infections, but were low or undetectable in NMDA encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, and controls. Trp concentrations were decreased mostly in viral CNS infections and neuroborreliosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that combinations of Kyn concentration, Trp concentration, and Kyn/Trp concentration ratio with leukocyte count or lactate concentration were accurate classifiers for the clinically important differentiation between neuroborreliosis, viral CNS infections, and autoimmune neuroinflammation. CONCLUSIONS The Trp-Kyn-NAD+ pathway is activated in CNS infections and provides highly accurate CSF biomarkers, particularly when combined with standard CSF indices of neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt-Wolfram Sühs
- Division of Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology.,Center for Individualized Infection Medicine
| | - Natalia Novoselova
- Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases Research Group, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover.,United Institute of Informatics Problems, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Maike Kuhn
- Metabolomics Research Core Unit.,Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases Research Group, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover
| | - Lena Seegers
- Division of Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology
| | | | | | - Corinna Trebst
- Division of Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology
| | - Thomas Skripuletz
- Division of Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology
| | - Martin Stangel
- Division of Clinical Neuroimmunology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology.,Center for Individualized Infection Medicine
| | - Frank Pessler
- Center for Individualized Infection Medicine.,Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases Research Group, TWINCORE Center for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover.,Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
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41
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Lu Y, Shao M, Wu T. Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase: A new direction for the treatment in different diseases. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:711-719. [PMID: 32148781 PMCID: PMC7020307 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) is an enzyme that relies on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), a key site in the kynurenine pathway (KP), which has great effects on neurological diseases, cancer, and peripheral inflammation. This review mainly pay attention to the research of KMO mechanism for the treatment of different diseases, and hopes to provide assistance for clinical and drug use. KMO controlling the chief division of the KP, which directly controls downstream product quinolinic acid (QUIN) and indirectly controls kynurenic acid (KYNA), plays an important role in many diseases, especially neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Lu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Mingmei Shao
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Tao Wu
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine ResearchShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
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42
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Hayakawa K, Nishitani K, Tanaka S. Kynurenine, 3-OH-kynurenine, and anthranilate are nutrient metabolites that alter H3K4 trimethylation and H2AS40 O-GlcNAcylation at hypothalamus-related loci. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19768. [PMID: 31875008 PMCID: PMC6930210 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56341-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms can establish and maintain mitotically stable patterns of gene expression while retaining the DNA sequence. These mechanisms can be affected by environmental factors such as nutrients. The importance of intracellular dosages of nutrient metabolites such as acetyl coenzyme A and S-adenosylmethionine, which are utilized as donors for post-translational modifications, is well-known in epigenetic regulation; however, the significance of indirect metabolites in epigenetic regulation is not clear. In this study, we screened for metabolites that function as epigenetic modulators. Because the expression of genes related to hypothalamic function is reportedly affected by nutritional conditions, we used a neural cell culture system and evaluated hypothalamic-linked loci. We supplemented the culture medium with 129 metabolites separately during induction of human-iPS-derived neural cells and used high-throughput ChIP-qPCR to determine the epigenetic status at 37 hypothalamus-linked loci. We found three metabolites (kynurenine, 3-OH-kynurenine, and anthranilate) from tryptophan pathways that increased H3K4 trimethylation and H2AS40 O-GlcNAcylation, resulting in upregulated gene expression at most loci, except those encoding pan-neural markers. Dietary supplementation of these three metabolites and the resulting epigenetic modification were important for stability in gene expression. In conclusion, our findings provide a better understanding of how nutrients play a role in epigenetic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Hayakawa
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari-shi, Ehime, Japan. .,Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences /Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kenta Nishitani
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences /Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Tanaka
- Laboratory of Cellular Biochemistry, Department of Animal Resource Sciences /Veterinary Medical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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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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44
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Powers RK, Culp-Hill R, Ludwig MP, Smith KP, Waugh KA, Minter R, Tuttle KD, Lewis HC, Rachubinski AL, Granrath RE, Carmona-Iragui M, Wilkerson RB, Kahn DE, Joshi M, Lleó A, Blesa R, Fortea J, D'Alessandro A, Costello JC, Sullivan KD, Espinosa JM. Trisomy 21 activates the kynurenine pathway via increased dosage of interferon receptors. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4766. [PMID: 31628327 PMCID: PMC6800452 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12739-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Trisomy 21 (T21) causes Down syndrome (DS), affecting immune and neurological function by ill-defined mechanisms. Here we report a large metabolomics study of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, showing in independent cohorts that people with DS produce elevated levels of kynurenine and quinolinic acid, two tryptophan catabolites with potent immunosuppressive and neurotoxic properties, respectively. Immune cells of people with DS overexpress IDO1, the rate-limiting enzyme in the kynurenine pathway (KP) and a known interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene. Furthermore, the levels of IFN-inducible cytokines positively correlate with KP dysregulation. Using metabolic tracing assays, we show that overexpression of IFN receptors encoded on chromosome 21 contribute to enhanced IFN stimulation, thereby causing IDO1 overexpression and kynurenine overproduction in cells with T21. Finally, a mouse model of DS carrying triplication of IFN receptors exhibits KP dysregulation. Together, our results reveal a mechanism by which T21 could drive immunosuppression and neurotoxicity in DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani K Powers
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Rachel Culp-Hill
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Michael P Ludwig
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Keith P Smith
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Katherine A Waugh
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ross Minter
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kathryn D Tuttle
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Hannah C Lewis
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Angela L Rachubinski
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Ross E Granrath
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - María Carmona-Iragui
- Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, CIBERNED, Barcelona, Spain.,Barcelona Down Medical Center, Catalan Down Syndrome Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rebecca B Wilkerson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Darcy E Kahn
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Molishree Joshi
- Functional Genomics Facility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, CIBERNED, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Blesa
- Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, CIBERNED, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Fortea
- Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, CIBERNED, Barcelona, Spain.,Barcelona Down Medical Center, Catalan Down Syndrome Foundation, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angelo D'Alessandro
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - James C Costello
- Computational Bioscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kelly D Sullivan
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. .,Functional Genomics Facility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
| | - Joaquin M Espinosa
- Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. .,Functional Genomics Facility, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA. .,Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
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Chatterjee P, Zetterberg H, Goozee K, Lim CK, Jacobs KR, Ashton NJ, Hye A, Pedrini S, Sohrabi HR, Shah T, Asih PR, Dave P, Shen K, Taddei K, Lovejoy DB, Guillemin GJ, Blennow K, Martins RN. Plasma neurofilament light chain and amyloid-β are associated with the kynurenine pathway metabolites in preclinical Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:186. [PMID: 31601232 PMCID: PMC6788092 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1567-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blood markers indicative of neurodegeneration (neurofilament light chain; NFL), Alzheimer’s disease amyloid pathology (amyloid-β; Aβ), and neuroinflammation (kynurenine pathway; KP metabolites) have been investigated independently in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the association of these markers of neurodegeneration and AD pathology with neuroinflammation has not been investigated previously. Therefore, the current study examined whether NFL and Aβ correlate with KP metabolites in elderly individuals to provide insight on the association between blood indicators of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Methods Correlations between KP metabolites, measured using liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and plasma NFL and Aβ concentrations, measured using single molecule array (Simoa) assays, were investigated in elderly individuals aged 65–90 years, with normal global cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination Score ≥ 26) from the Kerr Anglican Retirement Village Initiative in Ageing Health cohort. Results A positive correlation between NFL and the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (K/T) reflecting indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity was observed (r = .451, p < .0001). Positive correlations were also observed between NFL and kynurenine (r = .364, p < .0005), kynurenic acid (r = .384, p < .0001), 3-hydroxykynurenine (r = .246, p = .014), anthranilic acid (r = .311, p = .002), and quinolinic acid (r = .296, p = .003). Further, significant associations were observed between plasma Aβ40 and the K/T (r = .375, p < .0005), kynurenine (r = .374, p < .0005), kynurenic acid (r = .352, p < .0005), anthranilic acid (r = .381, p < .0005), and quinolinic acid (r = .352, p < .0005). Significant associations were also observed between plasma Aβ42 and the K/T ratio (r = .215, p = .034), kynurenic acid (r = .214, p = .035), anthranilic acid (r = .278, p = .006), and quinolinic acid (r = .224, p = .027) in the cohort. On stratifying participants based on their neocortical Aβ load (NAL) status, NFL correlated with KP metabolites irrespective of NAL status; however, associations between plasma Aβ and KP metabolites were only pronounced in individuals with high NAL while associations in individuals with low NAL were nearly absent. Conclusions The current study shows that KP metabolite changes are associated with biomarker evidence of neurodegeneration. Additionally, the association between KP metabolites and plasma Aβ seems to be NAL status dependent. Finally, the current study suggests that an association between neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation manifests in the periphery, suggesting that preventing cytoskeleton cytotoxicity by KP metabolites may have therapeutic potential. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-019-1567-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratishtha Chatterjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Health and Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
| | - Kathryn Goozee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Health and Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.,KaRa Institute of Neurological Disease, Sydney, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia.,Clinical Research Department, Anglicare, Sydney, Castle Hill, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - Chai K Lim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Kelly R Jacobs
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Abdul Hye
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Institute Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, London, UK.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health and Biomedical Research Unit for Dementia, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation, London, UK
| | - Steve Pedrini
- School of Medical Health and Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia
| | - Hamid R Sohrabi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Health and Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.,KaRa Institute of Neurological Disease, Sydney, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia.,Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Tejal Shah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.,School of Medical Health and Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.,Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Prita R Asih
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Preeti Dave
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.,Clinical Research Department, Anglicare, Sydney, Castle Hill, NSW, Australia
| | - Kaikai Shen
- Australian eHealth Research Centre, CSIRO, Floreat, WA, Australia
| | - Kevin Taddei
- School of Medical Health and Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.,Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - David B Lovejoy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Ralph N Martins
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia. .,School of Medical Health and Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia. .,KaRa Institute of Neurological Disease, Sydney, Macquarie Park, NSW, Australia. .,School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia. .,Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Nedlands, WA, Australia. .,The Cooperative Research Centre for Mental Health, Carlton South, VIC, Australia. .,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Ralph & Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.
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Abstract
NAD+ is a pivotal metabolite involved in cellular bioenergetics, genomic stability, mitochondrial homeostasis, adaptive stress responses, and cell survival. Multiple NAD+-dependent enzymes are involved in synaptic plasticity and neuronal stress resistance. Here, we review emerging findings that reveal key roles for NAD+ and related metabolites in the adaptation of neurons to a wide range of physiological stressors and in counteracting processes in neurodegenerative diseases, such as those occurring in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington diseases, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of NAD+-based neuronal resilience will lead to novel approaches for facilitating healthy brain aging and for the treatment of a range of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Lautrup
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway
| | - David A Sinclair
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Mark P Mattson
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Evandro F Fang
- Department of Clinical Molecular Biology, University of Oslo and Akershus University Hospital, 1478 Lørenskog, Norway; The Norwegian Centre on Healthy Ageing (NO-Age), Oslo, Norway.
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47
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Tan VX, Guillemin GJ. Kynurenine Pathway Metabolites as Biomarkers for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:1013. [PMID: 31616242 PMCID: PMC6764462 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) currently lacks a robust and well-defined biomarker that can 1) assess the progression of the disease, 2) predict and/or delineate the various clinical subtypes, and 3) evaluate or predict a patient's response to treatments. The kynurenine Pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation represent a promising candidate as it is involved with several neuropathological features present in ALS including neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, immune system activation and dysregulation of energy metabolism. Some of the KP metabolites (KPMs) can cross the blood brain barrier, and many studies have shown their levels are dysregulated in major neurodegenerative diseases including ALS. The KPMs can be easily analyzed in body fluids and tissue and as they are small molecules, and are stable. KPMs have a Janus face action, they can be either or both neurotoxic and/or neuroprotective depending of their levels. This mini review examines and presents evidence supporting the use of KPMs as a relevant set of biomarkers for ALS, and highlights the criteria required to achieve a valid biomarker set for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gilles J. Guillemin
- Macquarie University Centre for MND Research, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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48
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Dehhaghi M, Kazemi Shariat Panahi H, Guillemin GJ. Microorganisms, Tryptophan Metabolism, and Kynurenine Pathway: A Complex Interconnected Loop Influencing Human Health Status. Int J Tryptophan Res 2019; 12:1178646919852996. [PMID: 31258331 PMCID: PMC6585246 DOI: 10.1177/1178646919852996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway is important in cellular energy generation and limiting cellular ageing as it degrades about 90% of dietary tryptophan into the essential co-factor NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). Prior to the production of NAD+, various intermediate compounds with neuroactivity (kynurenic acid, quinolinic acid) or antioxidant activity (3-hydroxykynurenine, picolinic acid) are synthesized. The kynurenine metabolites can participate in numerous neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington disease, and Parkinson disease) or other diseases such as AIDS, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Recently, the role of gut in affecting the emotional and cognitive centres of the brain has attracted a great deal of attention. In this review, we focus on the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. The interaction of components of this axis, namely, the gut, its microbiota, and gut pathogens; tryptophan; the kynurenine pathway on tryptophan availability; the regulation of kynurenine metabolite concentration; and diversity and population of gut microbiota, has been considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Dehhaghi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Centre of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.,Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hamed Kazemi Shariat Panahi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Centre of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.,Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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49
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Nassan FL, Gunn JA, Hill MM, Coull BA, Hauser R. High phthalate exposure increased urinary concentrations of quinolinic acid, implicated in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders: Is this a potential missing link? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 172:430-436. [PMID: 30826665 PMCID: PMC6511314 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quinolinic acid (QA), a neuroactive metabolite of the Kynurenine Pathway (KP), is an excitotoxin that is implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurological disorders. KP is the main tryptophan degradation pathway. Phthalates can structurally mimic tryptophan metabolites and diets containing phthalates in rats enhanced the production and excretion of QA. However, there are no human studies that have examined the association between phthalates and QA. OBJECTIVES Taking advantage of different mesalamine formulations with/without dibutyl phthalate (DBP), we assessed whether DBP from mesalamine (>1000x background) altered the urinary concentrations of QA. METHODS Men with inflammatory bowel disease participated in a prospective crossover pilot study. 15 Men were on non-DBP mesalamine (background) at baseline crossed-over for 4 months to high-DBP mesalamine (high) (B1H-Arm) and vice versa for 15 men who were on high-DBP mesalamine at baseline (H1B-Arm). Men provided 60 urine samples (2/man). We estimated crossover and cross-sectional changes in the creatinine normalized-QA using multivariable linear mixed effect models with random intercepts. RESULTS At baseline, men who were on high-DBP mesalamine (H1B-Arm) had 72%, (95% confidence interval (CI): 18, 151) higher normalized-QA than men who were on background exposure and when high-DBP mesalamine was removed for four months, normalized-QA decreased with 32%, (95% CI: -45.0, -15.1). Consistently, when men in B1H-Arm were newly-exposed to high-DBP mesalamine, normalized-QA increased with 11%, (95% CI: -11, 38). CONCLUSIONS High-DBP exposure from mesalamine increased the urinary concentrations of QA, which was largely reversed after removal of the high-DBP exposure for four months. This novel hypothesis should warrant new promising research considering the KP and QA concentrations as a plausible mediator for the neurotoxicity possibly linked with phthalate exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiby L Nassan
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | | | | | - Brent A Coull
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA; Vincent Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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50
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Rahman A, Al-Qenaie S, Rao MS, Khan KM, Guillemin GJ. Memantine Is Protective against Cytotoxicity Caused by Lead and Quinolinic Acid in Cultured Rat Embryonic Hippocampal Cells. Chem Res Toxicol 2019; 32:1134-1143. [PMID: 30950269 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.8b00421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Quinolinic acid (QA) is an excitotoxic metabolite of the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism produced in response to inflammation and oxidative stress. Lead (Pb) causes oxidative stress and thus may produce neurotoxicity by increasing QA production. We investigated the in vitro cytotoxic effects of Pb and QA and the protective effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine. Primary cultures of embryonic hippocampal cells from Wistar rats were treated with different concentrations of Pb, QA, and Pb + QA with and without memantine. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. The numbers of immunostained neurons (with β3-Tubulin; Tuj1) and astrocytes (with glial fibrillary acidic protein) were counted. Pb at 20 μg/dL (0.97 μM) and QA at 500 nM concentrations showed significant cytotoxic effects, as evidenced by decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis, and a decrease in the number of both astrocytes and neurons. The combination of Pb and QA showed significant synergistic apoptotic effects at lower doses. Memantine (500 nM) was largely protective against the cytotoxic effects of both Pb and QA, suggesting that Pb's and QA's cytotoxicity involves NMDA receptor activation. Whereas the neuroprotection by memantine from QA-induced toxicity has been previously reported, this is the first study reporting the protection by memantine against Pb-induced cytotoxicity in cultured hippocampal cells. Protection by memantine against these neurotoxicants in vivo needs to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rahman
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences , Kuwait University , 13060 Kuwait City , Kuwait
| | - Sara Al-Qenaie
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences , Kuwait University , 13060 Kuwait City , Kuwait.,Kuwait Oil Company Hospital , 61008 Ahmadi , Kuwait
| | - Muddanna S Rao
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine , Kuwait University , 13060 Kuwait City , Kuwait
| | - Khalid M Khan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine , Kuwait University , 13060 Kuwait City , Kuwait
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Macquarie University , Macquarie Park , New South Wales 2109 , Australia
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