Topic: tryptophan metabolism

The kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism is an important regulator of CNS neuroglial activity and immune system function. Here, novel factors influencing the kynurenine pathway (KP) are presented, with preliminary data examining links with TNF, a mediator known to have substantial clinical relevance. Bone-marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs), THP-1 and, RAW264.7 lines and mice lacking TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) were used. Gene expression was assessed by qRT-PCR. Results showed that the bacterial serine protease subtilisin and mammalian prostate specific antigen (PSA) induced expression of IDO

Adolescence, a critical stage of development characterized by increased neuroplasticity, is marked by a significant risk for the onset of psychiatric disorders. Inflammatory events during this period may increase the risk of developing psychiatric disorders, with tryptophan metabolism playing a potential role in this process.Our goal was to investigate whether exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during adolescence impacts emotional behaviour and the inflammatory response in adult animals in a sex-specific manner. Male and female C57BL6J mice were injected at PND36 with LPS (0.1 mg/kg i.p.) or