title: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in inflammation and allergy to Aspergillus.
abstract: Innate responses combine with adaptive immunity to generate the most effective form of resistance against Aspergillus fumigatus. A complex set of signaling networks initiate both innate and adaptive immunity in response to the different fungal morphotypes. In response, the fungus has developed or acquired sophisticated mechanisms to avoid, counteract and subvert sensors, signaling networks and a range of effector functions that constitute the host immune response. Host response and fungal countermeasures may contribute to the balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory signaling that is eventually required to benefit both parties. Here we highlight the important contribution of the enzyme IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) and tryptophan catabolites to such a homeostatic condition in Aspergillus infection and allergy. By providing the host with immune defense mechanisms adequate for protection, without necessarily eliminating the fungus or causing an unacceptable level of tissue damage, IDO and tryptophan metabolites may prove to be potent regulators capable of taming innate and adaptive pathogenic inflammatory host responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences and Fondazione, "Istituto di Ricovero e Cura per le Biotecnologie Trapiantologiche", Perugia, Italy. lromani@unipg.it
authors.forename: Luigina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zelante
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bozza
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bonifazi
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giovannini
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bistoni
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fallarino
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puccetti
mesh_terms: D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase