Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: A Review of Their Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Potential and Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory diseases are debilitating, affect patients’ quality of life, and are a significant financial burden on health care. Inflammation is regulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that are expressed by immune and non-immune cells, and their expression is highly controlled, both spatially and temporally. Their dysregulation is a hallmark of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Significant evidence supports that monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drugs have anti-inflammatory effects. MAO inhibitors are principally prescribed for the management of a variety of central nervous system (CNS)-associated diseases such as depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s; however, they also have anti-inflammatory effects in the CNS and a variety of non-CNS tissues. To bolster support for their development as anti-inflammatories, it is critical to elucidate their mechanism(s) of action. MAO inhibitors decrease the generation of end products such as hydrogen peroxide, aldehyde, and ammonium. They also inhibit biogenic amine degradation, and this increases cellular and pericellular catecholamines in a variety of immune and some non-immune cells. This decrease in end product metabolites and increase in catecholamines can play a significant role in the anti-inflammatory effects of MAO inhibitors. This review examines MAO inhibitor effects on inflammation in a variety of in vitro and in vivo CNS and non-CNS disease models, as well as their anti-inflammatory mechanism(s) of action.

Introduction

Inflammation is orchestrated by local and recruited immune cells in response to pathogens, damaged tissue, toxic compounds, and irritants (Chen et al., 2018). Cytokines and chemokines as a complex network act as molecular messengers that signal through a myriad of receptors to regulate inflammation (Borish and Steinke, 2003; Rea et al., 2018). Collectively, they are secreted by immune and non-immune cells, and play a role in acute and chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases (Gabay and Kushner, 1999; Borish and Steinke, 2003; Balkwill, 2009; Tisoncik et al., 2012; Tanaka et al., 2014; Hunter and Jones, 2015; Dinarello, 2018). Chronic inflammation affects a variety of soft tissues and organs such as the gastrointestinal track, heart, and brain (Chung et al., 2009; Cao et al., 2015; Straub and Schradin, 2016). In addition, inflammation can disrupt bone homeostasis, leading to osteoclast-mediated bone loss (Redlich and Smolen, 2012). Anti-inflammatories that target cytokines and chemokines have been developed for the treatment of soft and hard tissue chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases (Tisoncik et al., 2012; Campbell et al., 2013; Tanaka et al., 2014; Dinarello, 2018). A growing body of evidence demonstrates in a number of in vitro and in vivo disease models that MAO-A, MAO-B, and MAO-A/B inhibitors reduce mediators of inflammation and tissue destruction.

Monoamine oxidases (MAOs) are mammalian flavoenzymes (EC 1.4.3.4) that catalyze the oxidative deamination of biogenic and dietary amines, monoamine hormones, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, as well as a number of trace amines, such as tyramine, tryptamine, and 2-phenylethylamine (Bortolato and Shih, 2011; Ramsay and Albreht, 2018; Tipton, 2018). Two isoforms of MAO (MAO-A and MAO-B) have been identified, but they differ in substrate specificities, inhibitor affinity, relative expression, and tissue localization (Tipton, 2018). MAO-A has high affinity for serotonin and to a lesser degree norepinephrine. MAO-B more effectively metabolizes phenylethylamine and benzylamine. Epinephrine, dopamine, tryptamine, and tyramine are metabolized to varying degrees by both MAO-A and MAO-B. MAOs are encoded by two distinct genes that are located on the X chromosome (Xp11.23); both have identical exon–intron organization and share 70 percent amino acid identity (Grimsby et al., 1991; Gaweska and Fitzpatrick, 2011). Both enzymes are dimeric in their membrane-bound form (Son et al., 2008; Binda et al., 2011). For rat liver, MAO-A and MAO-B are anchored to the mitochondrial membrane through a hydrophobic C-terminal α-helix and are oriented to the cytosolic face or intermembrane space of the mitochondrial outer membrane, respectively (Wang and Edmondson, 2011; Edmondson and Binda, 2018; Iacovino et al., 2018). In any case, this orientation may vary between tissues and species.

Deletion of the MAO-A and MAO-B genes are not lethal but Norrie disease patients with MAO-A and MAO-B gene deletions show severe intellectual disability, growth failure, alteration of sleep patterns, autistic-like symptoms, and bilateral congenital blindness (Bortolato et al., 2018; Rodriguez-Munoz et al., 2018). MAO-A gene mutations were found in patients with Brunner syndrome. These males showed mild intellectual disability with aggressive and, at times, violent behavior (Brunner et al., 1993). MAO-A knockout (KO) mice demonstrate elevated aggressiveness and autistic-like behavior, and elevation of serotonin (200%), norepinephrine (130%), and dopamine (110%). In contrast, MAO-B KO mice exhibit lower anxiety-like responses and shorter latency to partake in risk-taking behavior, explore new objects, and have significantly elevated levels of phenylethylamine (700%) (Bortolato et al., 2008; Bortolato and Shih, 2011). MAO-A/B KO mice expressed developmental changes, behavioral abnormalities, and significantly elevated levels of all amines that far exceeded what was found in single knockout animals. Observed changes in these animals may reflect exposure to high levels of monoamines during developmental stages (Bortolato et al., 2008; Bortolato et al., 2009; Bortolato and Shih, 2011).

Non-CNS Expression of MAO-A and MAO-B

Historically, most studies on the function and localization of MAO enzymes have focused on the distribution and role of MAOs in the central nervous system, although widespread expression of MAO mRNA is found (Sivasubramaniam et al., 2003). MAO enzymes are widely expressed in different organs such as the heart, lungs, intestine, kidney, and liver but differences in enzyme isotype do exist (Rodriguez et al., 2001; Sivasubramaniam et al., 2003). MAO-A is preferentially expressed in the gastrointestinal track and found in moderately higher levels in human heart. MAO-B is preferentially expressed in kidney, platelets, granulocytes, and lymphocytes with a relatively equal distribution in the lungs, spleen, and liver (Thorpe et al., 1987; Balsa et al., 1989; Pizzinat et al., 1999; Rodriguez et al., 2001; Sivasubramaniam et al., 2002; Billett, 2004; Tripathi et al., 2018). MAO-B was highly upregulated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced periodontal disease (Ekuni et al., 2009). MAO-A was one of the five most significantly upregulated genes in interleukin-4-induced alternate activation of monocytes/macrophages (Chaitidis et al., 2004; Chaitidis et al., 2005; Gordon and Martinez, 2010; Cathcart and Bhattacharjee, 2014).

Monoamine Oxidase Enzyme Activity

MAO enzyme activity requires flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), which is covalently bound to a cysteine residue on the enzymes. FAD is reduced to its hydroquinone (FADH₂) while the amine is reduced to the corresponding imine. This catalytic process has not been fully resolved, however, using semiempirical quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations, it was shown that hydride transfer from the substrate onto the flavin moiety was rate limiting (Repic et al., 2014; Prah et al., 2020). Once dissociated from the enzyme, the imine is spontaneously hydrolyzed with generation of aldehyde [RCHO] and ammonium [NH₄ ⁺]. Subsequently, the FADH₂ is reoxidized to FAD and this results in the formation of another major metabolic end product, hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂] (Bortolato and Shih, 2011; Gaweska and Fitzpatrick, 2011; Ramsay and Albreht, 2018) (Figure 1-left). Inhibition of MAO enzymes decreases these metabolic end products and increases the availability of dietary and biogenic amines. This increase in amines has clinical therapeutic effects, but also has some negative side effects (Figure 1-top right).

FIGURE 1.

MAO oxidative deamination of amines and MAO inhibitor metabolic effects. Systemic levels of dietary and biogenic amines are regulated by MAO-A and MAO-B enzymes. Enzyme activity forms three specific metabolic end products. These include hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), aldehyde, and ammonium; each can affect inflammation (left). Irreversible MAO inhibitors can induce significant absorption of dietary amines (e.g., tyramine) and increase biogenic amine levels (e.g., serotonin) (right). MAO inhibitors decrease metabolic end products and increase catecholamines. Both the decrease in metabolic end products and the increase in catecholamines regulate inflammation. FAD, flavin adenine dinucleotide; FADH₂, dihydroflavin adenine dinucleotide.

Pharmacological Control of MAO Enzymes: MAO Inhibitors

MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitor drugs are primarily prescribed for the control of emotional behavior (e.g. depression and anxiety disorders) and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, and possibly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntington’s diseases) (Bortolato et al., 2008; Dlugos et al., 2009; Bortolato and Shih, 2011; Youdim et al., 2006; Al-Nuaimi et al., 2012; Tripathi et al., 2018). MAO inhibitors bind to MAO enzymes in either a reversible or an irreversible manner (Ramsay and Albreht, 2018; Tipton, 2018). Irreversible inhibitors bind to the enzyme by forming a covalent enzyme-inhibitor bond, typically with the enzyme-bound FAD. This is time dependent and not reversed by dialysis. Using QM/MM simulations, the rate-limiting step found for rasagiline and selegiline (irreversible MAO-B inhibitors)-mediated inhibition was hydride anion transfer from the inhibitors onto the FAD co-factor (Tandaric et al., 2020). In contrast, reversible inhibitors inactivate the enzyme through weak interactions such as hydrogen bonds (Edmondson and Binda, 2018). The efficacy of the inhibitor binding into the unique substrate binding sites of MAO-A and MAO-B ultimately determines a drug’s relative selectivity at inhibiting MAO-A, MAO-B, or both. The substrate binding sites of both MAO-A and MAO-B are mainly hydrophobic except for a conserved lysine that interacts with a water molecule. A list of the MAO inhibitor drugs discussed in this article with anti-inflammatory effects and their relative selectivity and reversibility is summarized (Table 1).

TABLE 1.

MAO reversible and irreversible inhibitors with described anti-inflammatory effects.

Drug	MAO selectivity	Clinical indication(s)
Irreversible MAO inhibitors
Clorgyline	A	Depression
l-Deprenyl (selegiline)	B	Parkinson’s
Iproniazid	A and B	Depression
Isocarboxazid	A and B	Depression
Ladostigil	A and B (brain selective)	Depression, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s
Nialamide	A and B	Depression
Phenelzine	A and B	Depression
Pargyline	B	Hypertension (discontinued)
Rasagiline	B	Parkinson’s
Tranylcypromine	A and B	Depression
Reversible MAO inhibitors
Bifemelane	A and B	Antidepressant, depression, and dementia
Moclobemide	A	Depression

The first MAO inhibitor was an irreversible and non-selective MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitor, iproniazid (Pletscher, 1991). This hydrazine-based compound was initially developed to treat tuberculosis but was a more effective antidepressant. This spurred the development of other non-selective irreversible inhibitors, but the side effects of hepatotoxicity and hypertensive crisis limited their use (Tipton, 2018). Subsequent non-hydrazine compounds showed reduced liver toxicity; however, hypertensive crisis was a significant side effect that resulted in some patient deaths (Youdim et al., 2006). This occurred because the use of non-selective irreversible MAO inhibitors resulted in significant dietary tyramine absorption (Figure 1-top right). Tyramine is normally metabolized by MAO in the gut, with MAO-A in the gut accounting for 70% of the tyramine degradation and additional metabolization in the liver (50% MAO-A and 50% MAO-B) (Hasan et al., 1988; Youdim et al., 2006). Failure to metabolize tyramine results in its absorption and uptake by peripheral adrenergic neurons, where it displaces norepinephrine and induces a hypertensive event (Blackwell, 1963). This became known as the “cheese effect” because documented fatalities were associated with cheese intake (Gillman, 2018).

Tyramine-induced hypertensive crisis was associated with the use of non-selective MAO inhibitors and irreversible MAO-A inhibitors. MAO-B selective inhibitors can be of concern at high doses when selectivity is lost. Reversible MAO-A inhibitors do not have this effect because the dose to achieve their antidepressant effect is such that dietary tyramine can displace the bound inhibitor and is therefore metabolized (Anderson et al., 1993).

A second major side effect from the use of MAO inhibitors occurs due to biogenic amine excess and its negative physiologic effects (Figure 1-top right). Serotonin syndrome (serotonin toxicity) occurs due to excess serotonin in brain synapses. Cases requiring hospitalization are rare and mild cases are typically not fatal. Patients present with a combination of neuromuscular, autonomic, and mental status symptoms that range from mild symptoms of nervousness, nausea, and tremor to more severe symptoms, such as a fever >38.5 °C, confusion, sustained clonus rigidity, and death. Most cases occur due to the use of two drugs that in different ways increase serotonin levels. These include serotonin-elevating drugs (e.g., monoamine oxidase inhibitors), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and serotonin releasers such as amphetamine and the illicit drug, ecstasy. Non-selective and irreversible MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors, selective and irreversible MAO-B inhibitors, and selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitors have been associated with serotonin syndrome (Foong et al., 2018). Regardless of some of these drug restrictions, MAO inhibitors have proven to be highly effective for the management of a variety of CNS-associated diseases. Moreover, a growing body of evidence demonstrates that a wide variety of MAO inhibitors also exert anti-inflammatory effects in various tissues.

MAO Inhibitors: Regulation of Cytokine and Chemokine Expression

Acute and chronic inflammation is orchestrated and driven by cytokines and chemokines expressed by local cells and recruited immune cells. Some of the key players of the pro-inflammatory cytokine network include tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (Gabay and Kushner, 1999; Borish and Steinke, 2003; Balkwill, 2009; Tisoncik et al., 2012; Tanaka et al., 2014; Hunter and Jones, 2015; Dinarello, 2018). Interleukin-8 (CXCL8) is the prototypical member of the CXC chemokine family and serves as a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils in humans. IL-8 plays a critical role in cell recruitment during acute infections and is overexpressed in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases (Palomino and Marti, 2015). Regulating levels of these mediators of inflammation is an established approach for managing chronic inflammatory diseases. MAO-A, MAO-B, and MAO-A/B inhibitors have been shown to significantly change cytokine and chemokine expression in a number of cell culture and disease models such as depression, Parkinson’s, ischemia/reperfusion tissue injury, periodontal disease, and smoke-induced lung injury (Table 2).

TABLE 2.

MAO inhibitor effects on inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression.

Drug	Clinical use	Cell population	Stimuli	Cytokines and chemokines	Protein change % a	mRNA change % a	References
MAO-A Inhibitors
Moclobemide	ADP	Rat glial cell	LPS	TNF-α		60↓	Bielecka et al. (2010)
				IL-1β		52 ↓
Moclobemide	ADP	Human whole blood	LPS + PHA	IL-10	27–33 ↑		Lin et al. (2000)
			Unstimulated	IL-8	21–42 ↓
			Unstimulated	TNF-α	41–67 ↓
Clorgyline	ADP	Mouse bone stromal cells	Tumor cell injection	IL-6		40 ↓	Wu et al. (2017)
MAO-B Inhibitors
Pargyline	ADP	Mouse renal tissue	I/R and cyclosporin	TNF-α		50 ↓	Chaaya et al. (2011)
				IL-1β		45 ↓
L-deprenyl	PD	Rat periodontal epithelial cells	LPS	TNF-α	54 ↓		Ekuni et al. (2009)
L-deprenyl	PD	Human bronchial epithelial cells	CSM	IL-8	18–60 ↓		Cui et al. (2017)
L-deprenyl	PD	Rat BAL	CS	CINC-1	24 ↓		Cui et al. (2020)
				MCP-1	33 ↓
				IL-6	50 ↓
				IL-10	68 ↑
Rasagiline	PD	Rat brain homogenate	Rotenone-induced PD	TNF-α		65 ↓	Fernandez et al. (2011)
Rasagiline	PD	Murine N9 microglia cells	DJ-1 deficiency DV	IL-6	30 ↓		Trudler et al. (2014)
				IL-1β	29 ↓
Rasagiline	PD	Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages	LPS/ATP	IL-1β	54 ↓	Reduced to control	Sanchez-Rodriguez et al. (2020)
MAO-A and B Inhibitors
Phenelzine	ADP	Rat periodontal epithelial cells	LPS	TNF-α	70 ↓		Ekuni et al. (2009)
Phenelzine	ADP	Mouse primary and microglial cell line	LPS	TNF-α	67–83 ↑		Chung et al. (2012)
				IL-6	33–43 ↑
Tranylcypromine	ADP	Rat brain different region	LPS	IL-1β	85–90 ↓		Tomaz et al. (2020)
				IL-6	75–90 ↓
				TNF-α	35–52 ↓
				IFN-γ	80–94 ↓
Nialamide	ADP	Mouse brain cortex cells	–	TNF-α	55 ↓		Liu et al. (2020)
Ladostigil	ADP, PD, AD	Rat microglial Cells	LPS	TNF-α	45 ↓	30 ↓	Panarsky et al. (2012)
				IL-1β		35 ↓
		Rat partial cortex	–	TNF-α		53 ↓
				IL-1β		28 ↓
				IL-6		47 ↓

AD: Alzheimer’s disease; ADP: antidepressant; ATP: adenosine triphosphate; BAL: bronchoalveolar lavage; CINC-1: cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant; CS: cigarette smoke; CSM: cigarette smoking medium; DV: dopamine vulnerability; I/R: ischemia/reperfusion; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; MAO: monoamine oxidase; MCP-1: monocyte chemoattractant protein 1; PD: Parkinson’s disease; PHA: phytohemagglutinin

^aestimated change

A historical case report described a patient who showed a rapid improvement in her Crohn’s disease when prescribed phenelzine (MAO-A/B irreversible inhibitor) for associated depression. Anxiety and depression are risk factors in inflammatory bowel disease and the symptoms are more common during periods of active disease (Graff et al., 2009). The patient’s Crohn’s disease remained stable; however, 6 weeks after stopping the phenelzine, she was readmitted to hospital due to reactivation of her Crohn’s (Kast, 1998). This early clinical report eluded to a potential MAO inhibitor anti-inflammatory effect. In an LPS-induced depression rat model, tranylcypromine (irreversible MAO-A/B inhibitor) decreased the LPS-induced expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in regions of the brain (Tomaz et al., 2020). Tranylcypromine did not alter LPS-mediated NF-κB signaling in the hippocampal region of rat brains, but prevented the LPS-mediated reduction of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation (Tomaz et al., 2020). CREB phosphorylation may exert a negative regulatory effect on NF-κB-mediated gene activation, thereby reducing cytokine gene expression (Snow and Albensi, 2016). Moclobemide, a reversible MAO-A selective inhibitor that is prescribed for the treatment of depression, was also tested for its anti-inflammatory effects using human whole blood. Blood samples were stimulated with LPS and phytohemagglutinin and moclobemide. Moclobemide reduced unstimulated TNF-α and IL-8 expression but significantly increased interleukin-10 expression in LPS-treated samples (Lin et al., 2000). Interleukin 10 is a major anti-inflammatory cytokine that inhibits lymphocyte and monocyte/macrophage pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (Opal and DePalo, 2000).

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by resting tremor, muscular rigidity, and gait disturbances. Postmortem analysis of Parkinson’s patients showed significant microglial cell activation in the affected brain region and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (Sawada et al., 2006; Subhramanyam et al., 2019). Microglial make up 10–15% of the glial cell population in adult brains and function as resident immune cells of the brain (Subhramanyam et al., 2019). Their function is multifaceted and exerts a neuroprotective and neurotoxic effect on neuronal cells. Upon activation, they express a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α as well as nitric oxide and reactive oxygen molecules. In a rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease, rasagiline reduced TNF-α mRNA expression in brain homogenates (Fernandez et al., 2011). In addition, daily administration of ladostigil (irreversible MAO-A/B inhibitor) to 16-month-old rats prevented the development of spatial memory deficits at 22 months of age and was associated with a significant decrease in gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the parietal cortex (Panarsky et al., 2012). In complementary glial cell culture studies, ladostigil and its metabolites reduced LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-1β mRNA, and protein, and reduced LPS-induced degradation of IκB-α and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. In addition, ladostigil inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of p38 and ERK 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (Panarsky et al., 2012). Parkinson’s disease patients have an increased risk of having a DJ-1 gene mutation (28511254). DJ-1 is an oxidative stress sensor that localizes to mitochondria. Downregulation of DJ-1 expression using shRNA increased cell sensitivity to dopamine as measured by elevated IL-1β and IL-6 expression. DJ-1 deficient microglia showed increased MAO activity and elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide. Treatment of cultures with rasagiline significantly reduced IL-1β, TNF-α, ROS, and nitric oxide levels (Trudler et al., 2014). Moclobemide also reduced LPS-induced IL-1β and TNF-α gene and protein expression in rat primary glial cell cultures and this was associated with reduced NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus (Bielecka et al., 2010). At odds with these findings, one study showed that phenelzine induced TNF-α and IL-6 expression in an NF-κB-dependent manner in LPS-activated microglial cells (Chung et al., 2012). This is unlikely to be reflective of this specific MAO-A/B inhibitor because phenelzine did reduce TNF-α expression in an in vivo animal model of LPS-induced periodontal disease (Ekuni et al., 2009).

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) tissue injury is a complex biological phenomenon that affects various tissues and organs and is dependent on the degree and length of time that blood flow is reduced. Cellular acidosis occurs, adenosine triphosphate generation is reduced, intracellular and mitochondrial calcium levels increase, and the regulation of cell volume is disrupted. Tissue reperfusion reinstates oxygen, yet the return of oxygen drives ROS generation. This increase in ROS generation induces cell and tissue damage and induces inflammation. Mitochondrial MAO is one of the enzymes that contribute to the overall generation of ROS molecules in the cell (Kalogeris et al., 2016). The brain, kidney, and heart are susceptible to ischemia/reperfusion tissue injury and MAO inhibitors reduced tissue injury in all of these models.

Nialamide (an irreversible MAO-A/B inhibitor) reduced neuroinflammation in a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion murine model. Specifically, nialamide reduced microglia and astrocytes numbers and TNF-α protein expression in the brain. Administration of nialamide even at 3 h post-ischemia effectively reduced neuronal injury and aided functional recovery (Liu et al., 2020). In a renal ischemia/reperfusion study, pargyline (irreversible MAO-B inhibitor) reduced IL-1β and TNF-α gene expression (Chaaya et al., 2011). The mechanism by which pargyline reduced cytokine expression was not examined. Nevertheless, it was previously established that renal ischemia/reperfusion is associated with a rapid increase in MAO-dependent hydrogen peroxide generation that occurs within 15 min of reperfusion. When pargyline was administered 15 min prior to ischemia, the hydrogen peroxide production was reduced (Kunduzova et al., 2002a; Kunduzova et al., 2002b). Ischemia/reperfusion injury in the heart is also associated with an increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (Frangogiannis, 2004; Najafi et al., 2018). Serotonin and catecholamines such as dopamine and norepinephrine play a significant role in cardiac function (Kaludercic et al., 2011; Kaludercic et al., 2014). Upregulation in monoamine oxidase activity due to increased substrate availability would result in an increase in hydrogen peroxide and aldehyde end products. These affect the transfer of electrons across the respiratory chain, which opens permeability transition pores that lead to cardiomyocyte death, oxidative damage, and heart failure. These finding support that monoamine oxidases may be a valid target for the management of I/R-associated cardiovascular damage (Deshwal et al., 2017). Changes in pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression by MAO inhibitors have not been directly examined in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion. Regardless, I/R-induced infarct size and infiltration of acute inflammatory cells in rat cardiac tissues were assayed for myeloperoxidase activity (i.e., neutrophil and monocytes recruitment), a marker of inflammation. Pargyline and clorgyline (irreversible MAO-A inhibitor) both reduced myeloperoxidase activity in cardiac tissues (Bianchi et al., 2005). MAO inhibitor-mediated reduction in cell recruitment may possibly be reflective of reduced chemokine expression.

Non-immune cells such as epithelial cells of mucosal tissues also express cytokines and chemokines in response to inflammation. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory destructive oral mucosal disease that primarily occurs in response to Gram-negative bacteria in biofilm and the ensuing host immune response. In an LPS-induced rat model of periodontal disease, hydrogen peroxide and TNF-α significantly increased in the epithelium of diseased tissues. Adjunctive use of phenelzine reduced hydrogen peroxide, TNF-α, and reduced disease progression markers: epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and bone loss. In epithelial cell culture, deprenyl (aka selegiline; irreversible MAO-B inhibitor) and phenelzine reduced LPS-induced TNF-α protein expression. Smoking is also a potent driver of inflammation in lung mucosal tissues. Bronchial epithelial cells that are activated by cigarette smoke produce a wide variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (Barnes, 2016). In airway epithelial cell cultures, cigarette smoke medium induced oxidative stress and IL-8 protein expression and deprenyl reduced its expression (Cui et al., 2017). Cigarette smoke-containing medium increased oxidative stress (as measure by dihydrochlorofluorescein acetate) and this was reduced by deprenyl. Functionally, deprenyl fully reversed the effect of cigarette smoke on IκB kinase phosphorylation, degradation of IκB, and nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus. In a cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model using rats, deprenyl (selegiline) reduced cigarette smoke-induced MAO-B activity. It did not alter total inflammatory cell infiltrate in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) nor did it reduce smoking-induced macrophage infiltrates in BAL. Even so, deprenyl significantly reduced BAL levels of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and IL-6 in smoke-treated animals, and increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These changes were associated with reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs as well as reduced nuclear translocation of NF-kB p65 subunit in lung tissue extracts (Cui et al., 2020). MAO inhibitor reduction of cytokine expression may in part be explained by a reduction in oxidative stress molecules such as hydrogen peroxide. Indeed, cigarette smoke also has a number of aldehydes and these aldehydes induce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (Sapkota and Wyatt, 2015). It is unclear whether the reduction of aldehydes due to MAO inhibitors may also play a role in the reduction of cytokine expression. In contrast to lung tissue, smoking reduced brain MAO-A levels relative to non-smokers. This inhibition of MAO-A in the brain by smoking may contribute to the difficulty of achieving cessation of smoking in patients with depression. Studies are needed to ascertain whether the level of MAO-A inhibition due to chronic smoking is associated with antidepressant effects (Fowler et al., 1996).

Altered MAO-A expression has been associated with high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason grade 4 and 5), tumorigenesis, metastasis, and poorer prognosis (Peehl et al., 2008; Wu et al., 2014; Liao et al., 2018; Shih, 2018; Yin et al., 2018). MAO-A protein and gene expression is increased in bone metastasis and inhibition of MAO-A activity with clorgyline reduced the onset of bone metastasis, metastasis burden, and mortality. Significantly, this reduction was associated with downregulation of sonic hedgehog signaling and stromal cell expression of IL-6 (Wu et al., 2017).

Inflammasomes are protein complexes that recognize inflammation-inducing signals and ultimately control the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18 (Strowig et al., 2012). Formation of inflammasome protein complex was triggered by MAO-B-induced ROS in LPS/ATP-stimulated murine bone marrow-derived macrophages and human monocyte-derived macrophages. MAO-B activity was required for the generation of ROS through a NF-κB-mediated mechanism. Inflammasome activation was associated with increased IL-1β gene and protein expression, and this was notably reduced with rasagiline co-treatment (Sanchez-Rodriguez et al., 2020).

Collectively, irreversible and reversible MAO-A, MAO-B, and MAO-A/B inhibitors have all been shown to significantly reduce inflammation-associated cytokine and chemokine gene and protein expression in a variety of cell culture and animal studies (Table 2). Understanding the regulatory mechanism(s) mediating these findings is critical to ascertain if MAO inhibitors are to be developed as anti-inflammatories.

MAO Inhibitor–Mediated Reduction of Metabolic End Products

MAO-mediated degradation of amines generates hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), aldehyde, and ammonium as metabolic end products (Figure 1-middle right), and all of these end products may potentially impact inflammation. In a rat aorta vascular ring model, LPS induced MAO-A and MAO-B expression and treatment with MAO-A and MAO-B selective inhibitors significantly reduced H₂O₂ generation and this was associated with improved vascular function (Ratiu et al., 2018). Hydrogen peroxide plays a role in physiologic signaling that is needed to induce inflammation, but high concentrations of H₂O₂ may induce DNA damage and modify proteins, lipids, and other molecules (Wittmann et al., 2012; Winterbourn, 2013; Sturza et al., 2019). Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidative stress molecule associated with the generation of ROS-associated molecules. By the Fenton reaction, unquenched H₂O₂ can react with metal ions to form hydroxyl radicals (^●OH) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻). These radicals are associated with irreversible oxidative damage in cellular targets (Oyewole and Birch-Machin, 2015; Pavlin et al., 2016). Hydroxyl radicals are highly reactive, their toxicity is non-selective and there are no enzymes to specifically detoxify it (Pavlin et al., 2016). Hydrogen peroxide can induce inflammation by activation of NFκB, a key regulatory molecule in inflammation (Wittmann et al., 2012). In gastric epithelial cells, hydrogen peroxide-induced expression of IL-8 gene and protein expression was mediated through NFκB activation (Kim et al., 2011). Overall, hydrogen peroxide generation is a key and needed regulator of inflammation, but increases can lead to significant mitochondrial damage and unwanted inflammation (van der Vliet and Janssen-Heininger, 2014; Deshwal et al., 2017). This overloading is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of a number of chronic and autoimmune inflammatory diseases (Di Dalmazi et al., 2016; Pravda, 2020).

Generation of biogenic aldehydes has a significant effect on neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease-associated fibrosis, vascular changes, and cardiac hypertrophy (Pan et al., 2016; Nelson et al., 2017; Joshi et al., 2019). Specifically, MAO-dependent aldehyde generation induced mitochondrial dysfunction and ultimately led to heart failure in a pressure overload animal model (Deshwal et al., 2017). Biogenic aldehydes are formed by enzyme-dependent oxidation of primarily glucose, unsaturated lipids, and primary amines. Oxidative deamination of norepinephrine and dopamine by monoamine oxidase enzymes forms catecholaldehydes 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde (DOPEGAL) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde (DOPAL), respectively, and hydrogen peroxide (Nelson et al., 2017). DOPAL—an aldehyde—is toxic because of its two reactive functional groups (catechol and aldehyde) that result in DOPAL-mediated protein cross-linking (Rees et al., 2009). DOPAL is further oxidized to 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid (DOPAC) via aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) (Jinsmaa et al., 2009) (Figure 2). In an atherosclerotic plaque mouse model, ALDH2 gene silencing (increased aldehydes) was associated with increased phosphorylation of NF-kB p65, AP-1, and MAPK, and downstream expression of inflammatory molecules ICAM-1, MMP-2, IL-6, and MCP-1. Conversely, ALDH2-induced overexpression (decreased aldehydes) triggered the opposite effects (Pan et al., 2016). Altogether, increased aldehyde generation and accumulation can serve as an inflammatory driver.

FIGURE 2.

Catecholamine pathway for biosynthesis and MAO-mediated degradation. ADH, alcohol dehydrogenase; AR, aldehyde reductase; ALDH, aldehyde dehydrogenase; COMT, catechol-O-methyltransferase; DOPAC, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid; DOPAL, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde; DOPEGAL, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde; HVA, homovanillic acid; L-DOPA, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; MAO-A/B, monoamine oxidases A and B; MOPEGAL, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde; PNMT, phenolethanolamine-N-methyltransferase; VMA, vanillylmandelic acid.

Ammonia is also a by-product of MAO enzyme activity, although its direct effect on inflammation is less clear. In hepatic encephalopathy (HE), infection and inflammation play a role in its precipitation and development and it acts in concert with hyperammonemia. Liver injury is associated with concurrent hyperammonemia and immune system dysregulation and severity of HE was dependent on both aspects (Tranah et al., 2013). The significance of MAO enzyme induction of ammonium and its role in mediating disease-associated inflammation has not been examined. All things considered, MAO enzyme activity is associated with the generation of several metabolic end products. If these metabolic end products are increased beyond the biological capacity of the tissues, they may play a role in driving inflammation and ultimately disease. Reduction of these metabolites due to MAO inhibitors does at least in part explain some of their mechanism of action. However, MAO inhibitors—by their inhibition of MAO enzyme activity—significantly increase catecholamines and this increase also regulates inflammation.

MAO Inhibitor–Mediated Increase in Catecholamine Substrates

Catecholamines are monoamines that include dopamine, norepinephrine (noradrenalin), and epinephrine (adrenalin), and all are derived from the amino acid tyrosine or indirectly from phenylalanine. Phenylalanine can be converted to tyrosine by phenylalanine hydroxylase (Ise et al., 1988). Tyrosine hydroxylation by tyrosine hydroxylase generates L-DOPA, which in turn is converted to dopamine by DOPA decarboxylase (also known as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase). Norepinephrine is synthesized from dopamine by hydroxylation with dopamine β-hydroxylase and epinephrine is subsequently synthesized from norepinephrine by phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase. Degradation of catecholamines begins primarily by monoamine oxidase-mediated deamination (Figure 2). Meanwhile, to a lesser degree, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) methylation of catecholamines also occurs (not shown). Aldehyde reductase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase complete metabolic degradation to form homovanilic acid from dopamine and vanillyl mandelic acid from (nor)epinephrine (Eisenhofer et al., 2004; Fernstrom and Fernstrom, 2007; Jung-Klawitter and Kuseyri Hubschmann, 2019; Nolan and Gaskill, 2019; Goldstein, 2020).

These catecholamines are described as neurotransmitters and as hormones that regulate physiological processes and are associated with neurological, psychiatric, endocrine, and cardiovascular diseases (Eisenhofer et al., 2004). Furthermore, a third peripheral catecholaminergic system in which dopamine acts as an autocrine/paracrine mediator of local tissue function has also been described (Goldstein et al., 1995). In this model, dopamine within cells can be synthesized in several ways: from circulating DOPA that escapes from sympathetic nerves and adrenal medulla, tyrosine to DOPA conversion, or DOPA production by demethylation of circulating methoxytyrosine (Goldstein et al., 1995). DOPA synthesis from tyrosine in cells that express tyrosine hydroxylase has been described in a variety of immune cells (Jiang et al., 2006; Matt and Gaskill, 2020). Monocytes/macrophages synthesize catecholamines and—when stimulated with LPS—showed increased tyrosine hydroxylase expression and increased levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (Cosentino et al., 2000; Brown et al., 2003; Flierl et al., 2007; Barnes et al., 2015). T cells, B cells, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) also express tyrosine hydroxylase and synthesize catecholamines (Harmony et al., 1975; Bergquist et al., 1994; Cosentino et al., 2000; Flierl et al., 2007). Rank order of intracellular dopamine and (nor)epinephrine levels showed that T- and B-lymphocytes were relatively equivalent and higher than monocytes, which were higher than granulocytes (Cosentino et al., 2000). Dopamine synthesis in non-immune cells has also been described. Dopamine synthesis by alveolar epithelial cells was reflective of L-DOPA cell uptake and intracellular conversion to dopamine by cellular aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) (Adir et al., 2004). Catecholamines do regulate immune responses. Stimulation of PMNs with (nor)epinephrine reduced markers of cell activation (Scanzano et al., 2015). Dopamine is recognized as a catecholamine that modulates immune responses (Pinoli et al., 2017; Matt and Gaskill, 2020). Dopamine reduced expression of interferon-γ by Con A-stimulated lymphocytes (Bergquist et al., 1994). Of interest, pargyline treatment of Concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocyte cultures significantly increased intracellular and supernatant levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Increased catecholamines were associated with attenuation of lymphocyte proliferation, and this process was regulated by catecholamine selective receptors (Qiu et al., 2005). Treatment of rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells with an irreversible MAO-A inhibitor (clorgyline) and MAO-B inhibitors (rasagiline and deprenyl) increased dopamine and norepinephrine in the medium and cells (Goldstein et al., 2016). Local increase in pericellular catecholamines may regulate inflammation through adrenergic and dopaminergic receptor signaling pathways.

Catecholamine Receptor–Mediated Signaling: Adrenergic Receptors

(Nor)epinephrine signaling is mediated by seven transmembrane GTP-protein coupled adrenergic receptors (ARs). These receptors activate GTP-binding regulatory G proteins and in turn are effectors of adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. ARs are classified into three major types (α₁, α₂, and β) and each is further divided into three subtypes (Strosberg, 1993; Scanzano and Cosentino, 2015). Granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages, mast cells, and lymphocytes express both α₁-AR and β₂-AR. Generally, stimulation of α₁-AR and β₂-AR expressed on immune cells can either drive or inhibit inflammation, respectively (Bellinger and Lorton, 2014; Scanzano and Cosentino, 2015). Blocking of α₂-AR signaling was also associated with reduced expression of TNF-α in macrophages (Spengler et al., 1994; Barnes et al., 2015). Conversely, stimulation of β₂-AR with agonists reduced TNF-α gene and protein expression in macrophages (Spengler et al., 1994) and activation of PMNs (Scanzano et al., 2015). Inhibition of LPS-induced TNF-α expression in rats by an anti-glaucoma drug (GLC756) was mediated by its antagonistic effect on α2 adrenoreceptors and its agonist effect on β2 adrenoreceptors (Laengle et al., 2006). Pargyline inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation was mediated by a drug-induced increase in intracellular and extracellular catecholamines and subsequent β-adrenoreceptor signaling and cAMP activation (Qiu et al., 2005). Ligation of β₂-AR also interferes with activation of NF-κB, a major regulator of immunity and inflammation. The β₂-AR inhibition of NF-κB phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and transcriptional activity has been described in a variety of immune and non-immune cells, although the point of crosstalk between β₂-AR and NF-κB varies; it can be positive or negative and is very cell-type specific and context-dependent (Kolmus et al., 2015). These data support that MAO inhibitor-mediated increase in catecholamines may mediate immune cell response and impact cytokine expression via adrenergic receptor-mediated signaling.

Catecholamine Receptor–Mediated Signaling: Dopamine Receptors

Dopamine in the paracellular compartment can signal through a family of dopamine receptors (DRs) that belong to a large family of G protein-coupled receptors. There are five DRs that are grouped into two subclasses: D1-like class (DR1 and DR5) and D2-like class (DR2, DR3, and DR4) (Beaulieu and Gainetdinov, 2011; Beaulieu et al., 2015; Gurevich et al., 2016). In the CNS, DR1, DR2, and DR5 are most highly expressed but their distribution varies. In contrast, DR3 and DR4 are expressed at lower levels and are more limited. In non-CNS tissues, all receptor subtypes are detected but vary in relative expression based on the tissue examined (Beaulieu and Gainetdinov, 2011; Handa et al., 2019). Dopamine receptors can signal through multiple pathways. DR1-like receptors can couple with Gα_s/olf proteins and D2-like receptors are coupled to Gα_i/o proteins and they either stimulate or inhibit cAMP activation, respectively (Jage, 1989; Klein et al., 2019). Downstream D1-like class receptors in turn regulate protein kinase A (PKA) and exchange proteins activated by cAMP (EPAC 1 and EPAC2). Alternatively, DR1-like receptors can couple to G_αq to activate phospholipase C (PLC), leading to the formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) and diacylglycerol (DAG) and subsequent mobilization of Ca⁺² and protein kinase C (PKC) activation (Beaulieu and Gainetdinov, 2011; Beaulieu et al., 2015). D2-like receptors inhibit cAMP activation but can signal through the G_βγ subunit, which in turn activates PLC and increases intracellular Ca⁺². In addition, G protein-independent DR2 receptors regulate β-Arrestin 2 (βArr2) signaling. βArr2 acts as a molecular scaffold and plays a role in dopamine regulation of serine/threonine kinases Akt (protein kinase B) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) (Beaulieu and Gainetdinov, 2011; Beaulieu et al., 2015). Accordingly, dopamine binding to this family of receptors can signal through multiple pathways that in turn can mediate a variety of cellular responses. Cellular responses to dopamine are based on receptor type, relative expressions levels, and can change based on the state of cell activation (Pinoli et al., 2017; Matt and Gaskill, 2020). Therefore, any changes in the local concentration of dopamine may ultimately impact inflammatory responses.

MAO Inhibitors: Catecholamines Regulate Osteoclastogenesis

Regulation of inflammation by MAO inhibitor-mediated increase of catecholamines has been examined from the perspective of osteoclastogenesis and bone loss. Osteoclasts—which ultimately regulate bone resorption—are derived from monocyte/macrophage hematopoietic cells (Teitelbaum and Ross, 2003; Koide et al., 2017; Furuya et al., 2018). Differentiation along the osteoclast lineage is driven by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa β ligand (RANKL). RANKL is expressed by osteoblasts, T- and B-lymphocytes, stromal and osteocyte cells, and fibroblasts (Teitelbaum and Ross, 2003; Di Benedetto et al., 2013; Xiong et al., 2015). RANKL binding to its receptor on the pre-osteoclast cell surface triggers activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic tail 1 (NFATc1), and c-Fos transcription factors, which are required for osteoclastogenesis (Teitelbaum and Ross, 2003). RANKL-mediated differentiation is inhibited by the RANKL decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin (OPG) (Teitelbaum and Ross, 2003; Gruber, 2019). A balance between RANKL and OPG regulates osteoclast-mediated bone loss; however, inflammatory bone diseases are associated with increased osteoclast differentiation and function and ultimately bone loss.

Phenelzine reduced rat periodontal disease-associated bone loss but the mechanism regulating this effect was not explored (Ekuni et al., 2009). Tranylcypromine reduced M-CSF and RANKL-mediated bone marrow monocyte (BMM) osteoclast differentiation and function. This reduction was via reduced Akt, NFATc1, and c-fos signaling (Liu et al., 2019). Although MAO-A and MAO-B were detected in BMM cells, only MAO-A expression was either induced or reduced by RANKL and tranylcypromine, respectively. Tranylcypromine reduced MAO-A activity and MAO-A knockdown reduced osteoclast number and function (Liu et al., 2019). Tranylcypromine reduced LPS-mediated calvarial bone loss and osteoclast numbers in mice. In addition, tranylcypromine reversed both osteoblast decrease and osteoclast increase in ovariectomized mice and improved femur bending stiffness and strength, elastic modulus, and maximum bending strength (Liu et al., 2019).

Understanding the mechanism by which MAO inhibitors mediate their effect on osteoclast differentiation and function has not been fully elucidated. Accumulation of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide is a potent driver of osteoclast differentiation and bone loss in ovariectomized mice and its reduction reduced bone loss (Bartell et al., 2014). Nonetheless, it was recently shown that MAO metabolism of dopamine did not increase cytosolic hydrogen peroxide levels, but in fact leads to increased electron chain activity (Graves et al., 2020). These data suggest that catecholamine increase may possibly regulate osteoclast signaling. Dopamine/DR signaling does have an important regulatory role in osteoclasts differentiation and function but this is dopamine-receptor specific (Nakashioya et al., 2011; Hanami et al., 2013a; Hanami et al., 2013b; Yang et al., 2016; Motyl et al., 2017; Handa et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2021). No significant effect on osteoclast differentiation and function was found when human and mouse monocyte cultures were treated with a DR1-agonist (Hanami et al., 2013a; Hanami et al., 2013b; Yang et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2021; Table 3). Treatment of cultures with a DR1-antagonist had primarily no effect on osteoclastogenesis (Hanami et al., 2013a; Yang et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2021), although one study did show DR1-antagonist inhibition of osteoclastogenesis (Nakashioya et al., 2011). In contrast, human and mouse osteoclast differentiation and function were significantly inhibited with DR2-like agonists. In addition, dopamine-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was negated by DR2-like receptor antagonists (Hanami et al., 2013a; Hanami et al., 2013b; Yang et al., 2016; Handa et al., 2019; Wang et al., 2021). Dopamine regulation of osteoclastogenesis through DR2 signaling inhibited cAMP activation and reduced activation of PKA and CREB signaling (Handa et al., 2019). Taken together, dopamine regulates osteoclast differentiation and DR2 appears to play a critical role. DRs vary in their affinity for dopamine and signaling can be changed based on relative dopamine concentration (Melnikov et al., 2020). Whether an MAO inhibitor-mediated increase in dopamine drives altered DR signaling in the context of osteoclastogenesis requires further investigation.

TABLE 3.

Dopamine receptor regulation of osteoclast differentiation and function.

Targeted dopamine receptor	Agents	Activation or inhibition	Cellular responses	Cell populations	References
D1-like receptor	SCH23390	Antagonist	Inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and suppression the pathology of CIA and RA in animal model	Mouse bone marrow–derived macrophage	Nakashioya et al. (2011)
D2-like receptor	–	Agonist	Inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and function	Human monocytes	Hanami et al. (2013b)
D1-like receptor	–	Agonist	No effect on osteoclast differentiation
D2-like receptor	Pramipexole	Agonist	Inhibition of LPS-induced osteoclast differentiation and function	Human PBMC monocytes	Hanami et al. (2013a)
D1-like receptor	SKF38393	Agonist	No effect on osteoclast differentiation
	SCH23390	Antagonist	No effect on osteoclast differentiation
D2-like receptor	Quinpirole	Agonist	Inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and function	Mouse bone marrow–derived monocytes	Yang et al. (2016)
	Haloperidol	Antagonist	Reduction of dopamine inhibition of osteoclast function
D1-like receptor	SKF38393	Agonist	No effect on osteoclast differentiation
	SCH23390	Antagonist
D2-like receptor	Quinpirole	Agonist	Inhibition of osteoclastogenesis mediated signaling	Mouse monocytes (RAW 264.7)	Wang et al. (2021)
	Haloperidol	Antagonist	Negates the inhibitory effect of dopamine on osteoclastogenesis
D1-like receptor	SKF38393	Agonist	No effect on osteoclast differentiation
	SCH23390	Antagonist
D2-like receptor	Pramipexole ropinirole bromocriptine	Agonist	Inhibition of osteoclast function	Mouse bone marrow–derived monocytes	Handa et al. (2019)

MAO Inhibitors: Joint Inflammatory Diseases

A historical clinical report that described nine patients who were treated with MAO inhibitors (tranylcypromine, phenelzine, and isocarboxazid) for their depression also reported a significant reduction of joint pain and stiffness. Four of these patients had rheumatoid arthritis (Lieb, 1983). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory joint disease causing cartilage and bone destruction. Joint swelling reflects synovial membrane inflammation subsequent to infiltration by leukocytes, innate, and adaptive immune cells (Smolen et al., 2016). The immune cell-rich environment is associated with expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. Activated fibroblasts in association with activated T and B cells, monocytes, and macrophages ultimately drive osteoclast differentiation via expression of RANKL. Osteoclasts form bony erosions beginning at the junction of cartilage, periosteal synovial membrane insertion, and bone (Scott et al., 2010; Smolen et al., 2016).

Arthritic joint inflammation has been examined using [¹¹C]-D-deprenyl, an enantiomer of L-deprenyl (selegiline). In comparison to L-deprenyl, D-deprenyl is a less potent inhibitor of MAO-B and inhibits MAO-A and has been used as a radioligand tracer with positron emission tomography (PET) imaging (Knoll and Magyar, 1972; Robinson, 1985). PET imaging of RA patients’ inflamed knee joints showed high tracer uptake in the inflamed joint synovium and this uptake was reduced 50% after glucocorticoid treatment (Danfors et al., 1997). This uptake was not solely specific to arthritic diseases because subsequent studies showed D-deprenyl tracer uptake in inflamed joints that were associated with traumatic ankle sprains and whiplash-associated disorders. In both cases, tracer uptake was localized to joint-associated soft tissues (Linnman et al., 2011; Aarnio et al., 2017). Patients experiencing persistent pain had prolonged D-deprenyl uptake (Aarnio et al., 2017). Frozen synovial membranes collected from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) patients showed MAO-B protein expression; this did not change with the inflammatory grade but relative binding of D-deprenyl did correlate with synovial inflammation (Lesniak et al., 2018). High-throughput enzyme screening assay identified that MAO-B was the most likely primary binding target of D-deprenyl but binding to MAO-A and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) was also identified (Lesniak et al., 2016). Clarifying MAO isotypes and defining which cell population(s) in inflamed joints express MAO protein need further study.

Cells isolated from synovial tissues from RA and OA patients were found to be tyrosine hydroxylase (required for catecholamine synthesis) and VMAT2 positive (required for vesicular storage of catecholamines) (Capellino et al., 2010; Thomas Broome et al., 2020). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells were not found in control tissues. In RA and OA samples, TH positive cells were identified as macrophages, B cells, and fibroblasts. In RA samples, mast cells and neutrophils were also TH positive. Treatment of the cultures for short periods with reserpine inhibited TNF-α expression in these cells and local administration of reserpine improved the clinical score of collagen type II-induced arthritis in mice. Treatment of immune cells with reserpine reduced intracellular and increased extracellular catecholamines in cell culture medium at 24 and 48 h (Cosentino et al., 1999; Cosentino et al., 2000). However, a single short-term treatment with reserpine may increase cytoplasmic levels of catecholamines for a few hours (Lundborg, 1969; Capellino et al., 2010). These data support that localized peri (cellular) increase in catecholamines can dampen inflammation (Lundborg, 1969; Capellino et al., 2010). The effect of MAO inhibitors was examined in synovial cell cultures that were maintained under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia induced tyrosine hydroxylase and catecholamine synthesis and reduced TNF-α expression. Blocking tyrosine hydroxylase (i.e., decreasing catecholamine synthesis) negated this effect and most significantly, the MAO-A/B inhibitor bifemelane (reversible MAO-A and irreversible MAO-B inhibitor) and a COMT inhibitor (collectively increasing catecholamine levels) significantly reduced TNF-α (Jenei-Lanzl et al., 2015). Early changes in intracellular catecholamine levels were not examined but at 24 h there was a significant increase in dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the cell culture supernatant (Jenei-Lanzl et al., 2015). Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 are critical drivers of synovial inflammation (Smolen et al., 2016).

Dopamine receptors do vary in their expression and relative affinity for dopamine so it is quite feasible that increased dopamine can trigger different DRs (Melnikov et al., 2020). DR2 agonists have shown a positive impact on joint inflammation but results vary based on the study and agonists examined (Capellino, 2020). A potential receptor-independent mechanism by which intracellular dopamine can mediate inflammation has also been described. In microglial cell cultures, dopamine attenuated LPS-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 was not blocked by D1-like and D2-like receptor antagonists nor were they mimicked by D1-like and D2-like agonists (Yoshioka et al., 2020). However, dopamine attenuation of LPS-induced cytokine expression and NF-κB translocation to the nucleus occurred through formation of dopamine quinone (Yoshioka et al., 2020). Dopamine quinone forms by its auto-oxidation and covalent conjugation to cysteine residue sulfhydryl groups on proteins and results in the formation of quinoproteins (Sulzer and Zecca, 2000). Dopamine attenuation of LPS-induced cytokine expression was due to the formation of dopamine quinone (Yoshioka et al., 2020).

MAO Inhibitor Drug Development

A review of monoamine oxidase inhibitor patents from 2012–2017 outlined a growing number of compounds that have been licensed as MAO inhibitors. These include novel synthetic compounds, natural compounds that have MAO inhibitory effects but with less restrictive side effects, and development of dual or multi-targeted inhibitors to target multifactorial diseases (Carradori et al., 2012; Carradori and Petzer, 2015; Carradori et al., 2018). Development of novel reversible and selective MAO-B inhibitors with reduced penetration into the CNS is one strategy that has been pursued to reduce CNS and diet-associated side effects (Gealageas et al., 2018). Repurposing of MAO inhibitor drugs is being tested for a variety of non-CNS diseases such as hair growth, ocular disease, muscular dystrophy (Menazza et al., 2010; Vitiello et al., 2018), sexual dysfunction, cardiovascular disease (Deshwal et al., 2017), and cancer (Shih, 2018). New and known coumarins have been synthesized and several have distinct antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, coumarin-stilbene analogs show selective MAO-B inhibitory effects (Detsi et al., 2017). All in all, MAO inhibitors are being actively developed for a wide spectrum of novel therapeutic uses.

Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives

MAO inhibitors have a long history of successful clinical use to manage CNS diseases such as depression, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. There is also an abundance of literature showing that MAO-A, MAO-B, and MAO-A/B inhibitors have CNS and non-CNS-associated anti-inflammatory effects in diseases of epithelial and soft and hard connective tissues. These data support their anti-inflammatory effects, but a concerted effort is needed to help focus which chronic inflammatory diseases are the best targets to select for expanded clinical testing. In conjunction, examining MAO-A and MAO-B expression in healthy and affected tissues and in recruited immune cells is needed to better understand the role(s) of MAOs in disease pathogenesis and will help to direct the selection of the most appropriate MAO inhibitors to test. Associated with these studies is a need to expand mechanistic studies as well. MAO inhibitors have broad-reaching cellular effects. They reduce metabolic end products such as hydrogen peroxide and aldehyde, and this reduction clearly has anti-inflammatory effects. Notwithstanding, MAO inhibitors also increase cellular and pericellular catecholamine levels. Catecholamines such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine can be synthesized, stored, and released by immune and non-immune cells, and catecholamine signaling is associated with a reduction of inflammation. MAO inhibitors can increase both intracellular and extracellular catecholamines, and both can impact signaling. An increase in intracellular catecholamines may drive receptor-independent signaling. Alternatively, an increase in pericellular catecholamines may signal in a receptor-dependent manner. The diverse adrenergic and dopaminergic receptor families have different and divergent effects on inflammation and selective stimulation through their respective subtypes, and can dramatically alter the inflammatory response. When MAO inhibitors are being tested for therapeutic efficacy in inflammatory disease models, it is critical to expand mechanistic studies to examine these divergent signaling mechanisms. The prospect of either repurposing existing or developing novel MAO inhibitors for the management of chronic inflammatory diseases is a promising and exciting area of investigation.

Author Contributions

Authors EP and MO contributed equally to the development and writing of this manuscript.

Funding

This work was funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (MOP-123397) to EP.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.