Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in materno-fetal interaction.
The mechanism of maternal immunotolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus has been a matter of intense investigation. The tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is reported to be critically implicated. This article discusses findings pertaining to the role of IDO in pregnancy, its location at the feto-maternal interface, systemic induction of IDO in pregnancy and the association of IDO to spontaneous abortion and preeclampsia. Whereas there is a large body of evidence supporting the relevance of IDO as a key immunoregulatory factor in feto-maternal tolerance, open questions remain concerning as to its role.
Sedlmayr
Peter
P
Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Center of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21, 8010 Graz, Austria. peter.sedlmayr@meduni-graz.at
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*
D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase