Tryptophan catabolism and T-cell tolerance: immunosuppression by starvation?

Immunol Today. 1999 Oct;20(10):469-73. doi: 10.1016/s0167-5699(99)01520-0.

Abstract

Some macrophages inhibit microbial infections by producing indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO), which catabolizes tryptophan. Here, Andrew Mellor and David Munn discuss evidence that cells that synthesize IDO protect the mammalian fetus from maternal T-cell attack and argue that this mechanism might have wider implications for the control of T-cell responses.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Immune Tolerance / physiology*
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange / immunology
  • Mice
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Pregnancy
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Tryptophan / metabolism*
  • Tryptophan Oxygenase / biosynthesis
  • Tryptophan Oxygenase / genetics

Substances

  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • Tryptophan
  • Tryptophan Oxygenase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nos2 protein, mouse