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Neuper L, Kummer D, Forstner D, Guettler J, Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy N, Fischer C, Juch H, Nonn O, Gauster M. Candesartan Does Not Activate PPARγ and Its Target Genes in Early Gestation Trophoblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012326. [PMID: 36293183 PMCID: PMC9603971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II receptor 1 blockers are commonly used to treat hypertension in women of childbearing age. While the fetotoxic effects of these drugs in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy are well documented, their possible impacts on placenta development in early gestation are unknown. Candesartan, a member of this group, also acts as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist, a key regulator shown to be important for placental development. We have previously shown that trophoblasts do not express the candesartan target-receptor angiotensin II type 1 receptor AGTR1. This study investigated the possible role of candesartan on trophoblastic PPARγ and its hallmark target genes in early gestation. Candesartan did not affect the PPARγ protein expression or nuclear translocation of PPARγ. To mimic extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) and cytotrophoblast/syncytiotrophoblast (CTB/SCT) responses to candesartan, we used trophoblast cell models BeWo (for CTB/SCT) and SGHPL-4 (EVT) cells as well as placental explants. In vitro, the RT-qPCR analysis showed no effect of candesartan treatment on PPARγ target genes in BeWo or SGHPL-4 cells. Treatment with positive control rosiglitazone, another PPARγ agonist, led to decreased expressions of LEP and PPARG1 in BeWo cells and an increased expression of PPARG1 in SGHPL-4 cells. Our previous data showed early gestation-placental AGTR1 expression in fetal myofibroblasts only. In a CAM assay, AGTR1 was stimulated with angiotensin II and showed increased on-plant vessel outgrowth. These results suggest candesartan does not negatively affect PPARγ or its target genes in human trophoblasts. More likely, candesartan from maternal serum may first act on fetal-placental AGTR1 and influence angiogenesis in the placenta, warranting further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Neuper
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Daniel Kummer
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Désirée Forstner
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Jacqueline Guettler
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Nassim Ghaffari-Tabrizi-Wizsy
- Division of Immunology, Otto Loewi Research Center for Vascular Biology, Immunology and Inflammation, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Cornelius Fischer
- Institute for Medical Systems Biology (BIMSB), 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Herbert Juch
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Diagnostic and Research Institute for Human Genetics, Diagnostic and Research Center for Molecular BioMedicine, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Olivia Nonn
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Cooperation between the Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association and the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13125 Berlin, Germany
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt—Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), 13125 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Martin Gauster
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Ostapiuk A, Urbanska EM. Kynurenic acid in neurodegenerative disorders-unique neuroprotection or double-edged sword? CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 28:19-35. [PMID: 34862742 PMCID: PMC8673711 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The family of kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites includes compounds produced along two arms of the path and acting in clearly opposite ways. The equilibrium between neurotoxic kynurenines, such as 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) or quinolinic acid (QUIN), and neuroprotective kynurenic acid (KYNA) profoundly impacts the function and survival of neurons. This comprehensive review summarizes accumulated evidence on the role of KYNA in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, and discusses future directions of potential pharmacological manipulations aimed to modulate brain KYNA. DISCUSSION The synthesis of specific KP metabolites is tightly regulated and may considerably vary under physiological and pathological conditions. Experimental data consistently imply that shift of the KP to neurotoxic branch producing 3-HK and QUIN formation, with a relative or absolute deficiency of KYNA, is an important factor contributing to neurodegeneration. Targeting specific brain regions to maintain adequate KYNA levels seems vital; however, it requires the development of precise pharmacological tools, allowing to avoid the potential cognitive adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS Boosting KYNA levels, through interference with the KP enzymes or through application of prodrugs/analogs with high bioavailability and potency, is a promising clinical approach. The use of KYNA, alone or in combination with other compounds precisely influencing specific populations of neurons, is awaiting to become a significant therapy for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Ostapiuk
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular PharmacologyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of LublinLublinPoland
- Present address:
Department of Clinical Digestive OncologyKU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Ewa M. Urbanska
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular PharmacologyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical PharmacologyMedical University of LublinLublinPoland
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Abstract
Kidney diseases have become one of the most common health care problems. Due to a growing number of advanced aged patients with concomitant disorders the prevalence of these diseases will increase over the coming decades. Despite available laboratory tests, accurate and rapid diagnosis of renal dysfunction has yet to be realized, and prognosis is uncertain. Moreover, data on diagnostic and prognostic markers in kidney diseases are lacking. The kynurenine (KYN) pathway is one of the routes of tryptophan (Trp) degradation, with biologically active substances presenting ambiguous properties. The KYN pathway is known to be highly dependent on immunological system activity. As the kidneys are one of the main organs involved in the formation, degradation and excretion of Trp end products, pathologies involving the kidneys result in KYN pathway activity disturbances. This review aims to summarize changes in the KYN pathway observed in the most common kidney disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a special focus on diabetic kidney disease, acute kidney injury (AKI), glomerulonephritis and kidney graft function monitoring. Additionally, the importance of KYN pathway activity in kidney cancer pathogenesis is discussed, as are available pharmacological agents affecting KYN pathway activity in the kidney. Despite limited clinical data, the KYN pathway appears to be a promising target in the diagnosis and prognosis of kidney diseases. Modulation of KYN pathway activity by pharmacological agents should be considered in the treatment of kidney diseases.
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Tomczyk T, Urbańska EM. Experimental hypothyroidism raises brain kynurenic acid - Novel aspect of thyroid dysfunction. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 883:173363. [PMID: 32663543 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Hypothyroidism frequently manifests with altered mood and disturbed cognition. Kynurenic acid may influence cognition through antagonism of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDA) and α7 nicotinic receptors. In here, thyroid hormones effects on kynurenic acid synthesis in rat cortical slices and on kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs) activity in semi-purified cortical homogenates were studied. Furthermore, brain kynurenic acid levels and KATs activities were evaluated in experimental model of hypothyroidism, induced by chronic administration of 0.05% propylthiouracil in drinking water. In vitro, L-thyroxine (T4) and 3,3,5-triiodothyronine (T3), reduced kynurenic acid synthesis and KATs activities (IC50 ~ 50-150 μM). In vivo, propylthiouracil increased cortical, hippocampal and striatal, but not cerebellar kynurenic acid content (192%, 142% and 124% of control, respectively), despite uniformly decreased KAT II activity and lower cortical and striatal KAT I activity. T4 application to hypothyroid animals restored kynurenic acid levels to control values and reversed enzymatic changes. T4 alone did not change brain kynurenic acid levels, despite increased activities of brain KATs. Hence, thyroid hormones modulate kynurenic acid levels by two opposing mechanisms, stimulation of KATs activity, most probably transcriptional, and direct, post-translational inhibition of KATs. Lack of correlation between KATs activity and kynurenic acid level may reflect the influence of T4 on organic anion transporter and result from impaired removal of kynurenic acid from the brain during hypothyroidism. Our data reveal novel mechanism linked with thyroid hormones deficiency and imply the potential involvement of increased brain kynurenic acid in the hypothyroidism-related cognitive disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Tomczyk
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University in Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa M Urbańska
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University in Lublin, Poland.
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