Tryptophan degradation enzymes expression in the placenta and the Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio in maternal plasma after elective cesarean section

Angela Silvano; Viola Seravalli; Noemi Strambi; Arianna Vallario; Lorenzo Tofani; Astrid Parenti; Mariarosaria Di Tommaso

doi:10.1016/j.jri.2023.103823

Tryptophan degradation enzymes expression in the placenta and the Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio in maternal plasma after elective cesarean section

J Reprod Immunol. 2023 Mar:156:103823. doi: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103823. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

Authors

Angela Silvano¹, Viola Seravalli¹, Noemi Strambi¹, Arianna Vallario¹, Lorenzo Tofani², Astrid Parenti³, Mariarosaria Di Tommaso⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
² Department of Statistics, Computer Science, Applications, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
³ Department of Health Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology Section, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Health Sciences, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 36739732
DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103823

Abstract

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) metabolize tryptophan in the kynurenine pathway. We evaluated these enzymes' mRNA expression in maternal and fetal sides of the placenta of uncomplicated, unlabored full-term pregnancies after elective cesarean section and compared it with that of placentas obtained from vaginal delivery. Tryptophan and kynurenine plasmatic levels after cesarean section were measured, to investigate their possible correlation with IDO1 and TDO mRNA (TDO2) expression. The results suggested that IDO1 and TDO2 expression was higher in the maternal side of the placenta and that labor significantly affects TDO2 expression and the plasma Kynurenine/Tryptophan ratio.

Keywords: Cesarean section; Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1; Kynurenine Pathway; Labor; Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase 2.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cesarean Section
Female
Humans
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / genetics
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / metabolism
Kynurenine* / metabolism
Placenta / metabolism
Pregnancy
RNA, Messenger
Tryptophan Oxygenase / genetics
Tryptophan* / metabolism

Substances

Tryptophan
Kynurenine
Tryptophan Oxygenase
RNA, Messenger
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase