Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in infection: the paradox of an evasive strategy that benefits the host

Teresa Zelante; Francesca Fallarino; Francesco Bistoni; Paolo Puccetti; Luigina Romani

doi:10.1016/j.micinf.2008.10.007

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in infection: the paradox of an evasive strategy that benefits the host

Microbes Infect. 2009 Jan;11(1):133-41. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2008.10.007. Epub 2008 Oct 25.

Authors

Teresa Zelante¹, Francesca Fallarino, Francesco Bistoni, Paolo Puccetti, Luigina Romani

Affiliation

¹ Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. metzelante@hotmail.com

PMID: 19007906
DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2008.10.007

Abstract

Initially recognized in infection because of antimicrobial activity ('tryptophan starvation'), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is widely involved in host immune homeostasis and even immune evasion by microbes that establish commensalism or chronic infection. This review deals with recent findings that could gain IDO a reputation of Jack-of-all-trades in mammalian host/microbe interactions.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Fungi / enzymology*
Fungi / genetics
Host-Pathogen Interactions*
Humans
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / genetics
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / metabolism*
Kynurenine / metabolism
Mice
Mycoses / immunology*
Mycoses / microbiology
Tryptophan / metabolism

Substances

Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
Kynurenine
Tryptophan