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

A L Mellor; D H Munn

doi:10.1016/s0167-5699(99)01520-0

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.

Authors

A L Mellor¹, D H Munn

Affiliation

¹ Molecular Immunology Program, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. [email protected]

PMID: 10500295
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