Barbara Wirleitner

Bio: Barbara Wirleitner is an academic researcher from University of Innsbruck. The author has contributed to research in topics: Neopterin & Homocysteine. The author has an hindex of 35, co-authored 109 publications receiving 4452 citations. Previous affiliations of Barbara Wirleitner include Innsbruck Medical University.

Neopterin as a Marker for Immune System Activation

Abstract: Increased amounts of neopterin are produced by human monocytes / macrophages upon stimulation with the cytokine interferon-γ. Therefore, measurement of neopterin concentrations in body fluids like serum, cerebrospinal fluid or urine provides information about activation of T helper cell 1 derived cellular immune activation. Increased neopterin production is found in infections by viruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), infections by intracellular living bacteria and parasites, autoimmune diseases, malignant tumor diseases and in allograft rejection episodes. But also in neurological and in cardiovascular diseases cellular immune activation indicated by increased neopterin production, is found. Major diagnostic applications of neopterin measurements are, e.g. monitoring of allograft recipients to recognize immunological complications early. Neopterin production provides prognostic information in patients with malignant tumor diseases and in HIV-infected individuals, high levels being associated with poorer survival expectations. Neopterin measurements are also useful to monitor therapy in patients with autoimmune disorders and in individuals with HIV infection. Screening of neopterin concentrations in blood donations allows to detect acute infections in a non-specific way and improves safety of blood transfusions. As high neopterin production is associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species and with low serum concentrations of antioxidants like α-tocopherol, neopterin can also be regarded as a marker of reactive oxygen species formed by the activated cellular immune system. Therefore, by neopterin measurements not only the extent of cellular immune activation but also the extent of oxidative stress can be estimated.

Potential role of immune system activation-associated production of neopterin derivatives in humans

Abstract: Neopterin derivatives are produced by human monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells upon stimulation with interferons. Neopterin concentrations measured in urine or blood reflect activation of cellular immunity and endogenous release of interferon-γ. This review focuses on the clinical utility of measuring neopterin levels in inflammatory disease and the potential functions of neopterin as a mediator and/or modulator in the course of inflammatory and infectious processes. In vitro-studies revealed that neopterin derivatives exhibit distinct biochemical effects, most likely via interactions with reactive oxygen or nitrogen intermediates, thereby affecting the cellular redox state. Data support the hypothesis that the release of neopterin enhances the cytotoxic potential of activated macrophages and dendritic cells. In vivo, a strong correlation between neopterin levels and the severity, progression, and outcome of infectious and inflammatory diseases was found. The influence of neopterin derivatives on the cellular metabolism may provide an explanation for these clinical observations.

Interferon-γ-Induced Conversion of Tryptophan: Immunologic and Neuropsychiatric Aspects

Abstract: Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and the least abundant constituent of proteins. In parallel it represents a source for two important biochemical pathways: the generation of neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) by the tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent tryptophan 5-hydroxylase, and the formation of kynurenine derivatives and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides initiated by the enzymes tryptophan pyrrolase (tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, TDO) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Whereas TDO is located in the liver cells, IDO is expressed in a large variety of cells and is inducible by the cytokine interferon-gamma. Therefore, accelerated tryptophan degradation is observed in diseases and disorders concomitant with cellular immune activation, e. g. infectious, autoimmune, and malignant diseases, as well as during pregnancy. According to the cytostatic and antiproliferative properties of tryptophan-depletion on T lymphocytes, activated T-helper type 1 (Th-1) cells may down-regulate immune response via degradation of tryptophan. Especially in states of persistent immune activation availability of free serum tryptophan is diminished and as a consequence of reduced serotonin production, serotonergic functions may as well be affected. Accumulation of neuroactive kynurenine metabolites such as quinolinic acid may contribute to the development of neurologic/psychiatric disorders. Thus, IDO seems to represent a link between the immunological network and neuroendocrine functions with far reaching consequences in regard to the psychological status of patients. These observations provide a basis for the better understanding of mood disorder and related symptoms in chronic diseases.

Immune activation and degradation of tryptophan in coronary heart disease.

Abstract: Background Inflammation and immune activation appear to be important in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD). Cytokine interferon-γ, which is released during cell-mediated immune responses, induces indoleamine (2,3)-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme degrading tryptophan to kynurenine. Therefore, immune stimulation is commonly associated with an increased kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (kyn trp−1) indicative for activated indoleamine (2,3)-dioxygenase and a measurable decline of tryptophan. Methods Blood concentrations of kynurenine and free tryptophan and the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio were examined in 35 patients with coronary heart disease verified by coronary angiography and compared with healthy controls. Patients were observed before percutaneus transluminal coronary angioplasty (21 patients: one with artery disease, nine with 2- or 3-artery disease, and five with restenosis). Results and conclusions Decreased tryptophan concentrations were found in a significant proportion of coronary heart disease patients and coincided with increased kyn trp−1 and also with increased neopterin concentrations, indicating an activated cellular immune response. We conclude that in coronary heart disease immune activation is associated with an increased rate of tryptophan degradation and thereby lowered tryptophan levels. Results may provide a basis for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of mood disturbances and depression in coronary heart disease patients.

From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain

Abstract: In response to a peripheral infection, innate immune cells produce pro-inflammatory cytokines that act on the brain to cause sickness behaviour. When activation of the peripheral immune system continues unabated, such as during systemic infections, cancer or autoimmune diseases, the ensuing immune signalling to the brain can lead to an exacerbation of sickness and the development of symptoms of depression in vulnerable individuals. These phenomena might account for the increased prevalence of clinical depression in physically ill people. Inflammation is therefore an important biological event that might increase the risk of major depressive episodes, much like the more traditional psychosocial factors.

The microbiome-gut-brain axis during early life regulates the hippocampal serotonergic system in a sex-dependent manner

Abstract: Bacterial colonisation of the intestine has a major role in the post-natal development and maturation of the immune and endocrine systems. These processes are key factors underpinning central nervous system (CNS) signalling. Regulation of the microbiome-gut-brain axis is essential for maintaining homeostasis, including that of the CNS. However, there is a paucity of data pertaining to the influence of microbiome on the serotonergic system. Germ-free (GF) animals represent an effective preclinical tool to investigate such phenomena. Here we show that male GF animals have a significant elevation in the hippocampal concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, its main metabolite, compared with conventionally colonised control animals. Moreover, this alteration is sex specific in contrast with the immunological and neuroendocrine effects which are evident in both sexes. Concentrations of tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, are increased in the plasma of male GF animals, suggesting a humoral route through which the microbiota can influence CNS serotonergic neurotransmission. Interestingly, colonisation of the GF animals post weaning is insufficient to reverse the CNS neurochemical consequences in adulthood of an absent microbiota in early life despite the peripheral availability of tryptophan being restored to baseline values. In addition, reduced anxiety in GF animals is also normalised following restoration of the intestinal microbiota. These results demonstrate that CNS neurotransmission can be profoundly disturbed by the absence of a normal gut microbiota and that this aberrant neurochemical, but not behavioural, profile is resistant to restoration of a normal gut flora in later life.

An Interaction between Kynurenine and the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Can Generate Regulatory T Cells

Abstract: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has been known to cause immunosuppression after binding dioxin. It has recently been discovered that the receptor may be central to T cell differentiation into FoxP3 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) versus Th17 cells. In this paper, we demonstrate that kynurenine, the first breakdown product in the IDO-dependent tryptophan degradation pathway, activates the AHR. We furthermore show that this activation leads to AHR-dependent Treg generation. We additionally investigate the dependence of TGF-β on the AHR for optimal Treg generation, which may be secondary to the upregulation of this receptor that is seen in T cells postexposure to TGF-β. These results shed light on the relationship of IDO to the generation of Tregs, in addition to highlighting the central importance of the AHR in T cell differentiation. All tissues and cells were derived from mice.