The Tryptophan and Kynurenine Pathway Involved in the Development of Immune-Related Diseases

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2023 Mar 29

PMID 36982811

Authors

Ai Tsuji

Yuka Ikeda

Sayuri Yoshikawa

Kurumi Taniguchi

Haruka Sawamura

Sae Morikawa

Moeka Nakashima

Tomoko Asai

Satoru Matsuda

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The tryptophan and kynurenine pathway is well-known to play an important role in nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, as well as in the development of inflammatory diseases. It has been documented that some kynurenine metabolites are considered to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and/or neuroprotective properties. Importantly, many of these kynurenine metabolites may possess immune-regulatory properties that could alleviate the inflammation response. The abnormal activation of the tryptophan and kynurenine pathway might be involved in the pathophysiological process of various immune-related diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and/or polycystic ovary syndrome. Interestingly, kynurenine metabolites may be involved in the brain memory system and/or intricate immunity via the modulation of glial function. In the further deliberation of this concept with engram, the roles of gut microbiota could lead to the development of remarkable treatments for the prevention of and/or the therapeutics for various intractable immune-related diseases.

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