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Vol 10, No 1 (2024)
Review paper
Published online: 2024-01-24
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Influence of inflammation on tryptophan metabolism in chronic rheumatic diseases: the role of the kynurenine pathway in an interferon-dependent mechanism in systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjögren's syndrome — a literature review

Joanna Witoszyńska-Sobkowiak1, Dorota Sikorska1, Włodzimierz Samborski1
DOI: 10.5603/rf.97738
·
Rheumatology Forum 2024;10(1):17-25.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

open access

Vol 10, No 1 (2024)
Review
Published online: 2024-01-24

Abstract

Under physiological conditions, the metabolism of tryptophan (TRP), an endogenous amino acid, leads to the formation of the neurotransmitters regulating mood and sleep and wakefulness patterns — serotonin and melatonin, among others. In inflammation, it is metabolised predominantly along the kynurenine pathway. This is caused by activation by pro-inflammatory cytokines [e.g. interferon (IFN) or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)] of one of the enzymes: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which catabolises the synthesis of kynurenine (KYN) from TRP. Products of the kynurenine pathway, such as KYN, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid, are neuroactive and immunomodulatory substances. Elevated IFN levels and increased IDO activity are characteristic of chronic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. This article reports on the role of the kynurenine pathway in the above diseases.

Abstract

Under physiological conditions, the metabolism of tryptophan (TRP), an endogenous amino acid, leads to the formation of the neurotransmitters regulating mood and sleep and wakefulness patterns — serotonin and melatonin, among others. In inflammation, it is metabolised predominantly along the kynurenine pathway. This is caused by activation by pro-inflammatory cytokines [e.g. interferon (IFN) or tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)] of one of the enzymes: indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which catabolises the synthesis of kynurenine (KYN) from TRP. Products of the kynurenine pathway, such as KYN, kynurenic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine and quinolinic acid, are neuroactive and immunomodulatory substances. Elevated IFN levels and increased IDO activity are characteristic of chronic autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. This article reports on the role of the kynurenine pathway in the above diseases.

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Keywords

tryptophan metabolism; kynurenine pathway; interferons; systemic lupus erythematosus; Sjögren' s syndrome

About this article
Title

Influence of inflammation on tryptophan metabolism in chronic rheumatic diseases: the role of the kynurenine pathway in an interferon-dependent mechanism in systemic lupus erythematosus and primary Sjögren's syndrome — a literature review

Journal

Rheumatology Forum

Issue

Vol 10, No 1 (2024)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

17-25

Published online

2024-01-24

Page views

93

Article views/downloads

26

DOI

10.5603/rf.97738

Bibliographic record

Rheumatology Forum 2024;10(1):17-25.

Keywords

tryptophan metabolism
kynurenine pathway
interferons
systemic lupus erythematosus
Sjögren's syndrome

Authors

Joanna Witoszyńska-Sobkowiak
Dorota Sikorska
Włodzimierz Samborski

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