IDO expression by dendritic cells: tolerance and tryptophan catabolism

AL Mellor, DH Munn - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2004 - nature.com
AL Mellor, DH Munn
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2004nature.com
Abstract Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an enzyme that degrades the essential
amino acid tryptophan. The concept that cells expressing IDO can suppress T-cell
responses and promote tolerance is a relatively new paradigm in immunology.
Considerable evidence now supports this hypothesis, including studies of mammalian
pregnancy, tumour resistance, chronic infections and autoimmune diseases. In this review,
we summarize key recent developments and propose a unifying model for the role of IDO in …
Abstract
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an enzyme that degrades the essential amino acid tryptophan. The concept that cells expressing IDO can suppress T-cell responses and promote tolerance is a relatively new paradigm in immunology. Considerable evidence now supports this hypothesis, including studies of mammalian pregnancy, tumour resistance, chronic infections and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize key recent developments and propose a unifying model for the role of IDO in tolerance induction.
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