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Interferons and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase: Role in antimicrobial and antitumor effects

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  • Recent Developments in Interferon Research
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Summary

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an interferon (IFN)-induced protein that initiates the metabolism of tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway. Although IDO can be induced by IFN-γ in many cell types, only mononuclear phagocytes have been shown to be induced to decyclize tryptophan by all three IFN classes. Since tryptophan is an essential amino acid necessary for a variety of metabolic processes, depletion of available tryptophan may be an important mechanism for control of rapidly-dividing microbial pathogens and tumors. The purpose of this review is to present evidence that documents the effects of IFN-induced IDO on prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens, as well as on a variety of tumor cell lines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 53706, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    J. M. Carlin, Y. Ozaki & G. I. Byrne

  2. Department of Human Oncology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, 53706, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

    R. R. Brown & E. C. Borden

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Carlin, J.M., Ozaki, Y., Byrne, G.I. et al. Interferons and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase: Role in antimicrobial and antitumor effects. Experientia 45, 535–541 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01990503

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