Prevention of allogeneic fetal rejection by tryptophan catabolism.
basic_science · Level V
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Abstract
In 1953 Medawar pointed out that survival of the genetically disparate (allogeneic) mammalian conceptus contradicts the laws of tissue transplantation. Rapid T cell-induced rejection of all allogeneic concepti occurred when pregnant mice were treated with a pharmacologic inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme expressed by trophoblasts and macrophages. Thus, by catabolizing tryptophan, the mammalian conceptus suppresses T cell activity and defends itself against rejection.
Medical subject headings
- Fetus
- Immune Tolerance
- T-Lymphocytes
- Trophoblasts
- Tryptophan
- Tryptophan Oxygenase