Pathological shifts in tryptophan metabolism in human term placenta exposed to LPS or poly I:C

This study evaluates the effect of bacterial (LPS) and viral (poly I:C) placental infection on TRP metabolism using an ex vivo model. Human placenta explants were exposed to LPS or Poly I:C, and the release of TRP metabolites was analyzed together with the expression of related genes and proteins and the functional activity of key enzymes in TRP metabolism. The rate-limiting enzyme in the serotonin pathway, tryptophan hydroxylase, showed reduced expression and functional activity in explants exposed to LPS or Poly I:C. Conversely, the rate-limiting enzyme in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway, indoleamine dioxygenase, exhibited increased activity, gene, and protein expression, suggesting that placental infection mainly promotes TRP metabolism via the KYN pathway. Furthermore, we observed that treatment with LPS or Poly I:C increased activity in the kynurenine monooxygenase branch of the KYN pathway. We conclude that placental infection impairs TRP homeostasis, resulting in decreased production of serotonin and an imbalance in the ratio between quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid. This disrupted homeostasis may eventually expose the fetus to suboptimal/toxic levels of neuroactive molecules and impair fetal brain development.PMID:38145492 | DOI:10.1093/biolre/ioad181
Source: Biology of Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Source Type: research