Altered Tryptophan Catabolism in Placentas From Women With Pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Tryptophan content was reduced in placentas from women with PE. There was an increased kynurenine/tryptophan ratio in placentas from women with PE but no significant change in downstream metabolites. We confirmed a reduction in IDO1 expression and found a compensatory increase in TDO expression in placentas from women with PE. SAA was reduced in PE placentas compared with controls. Our data show that tryptophan content and the inflammatory mediator SAA are both compromised in placentas from women with PE. Further studies on the role of tryptophan catabolism and mediators of inflammation in sustaining healthy immunobiological pathways in the placenta are warranted.