Importance

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Abstract

A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and other types of transplantation. Inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation, or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO. Increasing tryptophan degradation (thereby, decreasing tryptophan concentration and increasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), for example, by increasing IDO concentration or IDO activity, can suppress T cells. One can manipulate local tryptophan concentrations, and/or modulate the activity of the high affinity tryptophan transporter, and/or administer tryptophan degrading enzymes. Regulation can be further manipulated using cytokines such as MCSF, IFNγ, alone or in combination with antigen or other cytokines.

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First Claim