title: Role of IDO in organ transplantation: promises and difficulties.
abstract: Induction of donor-antigen-specific immunological tolerance still remains the "holy grail" in organ transplantation. Recently, Indoleamine-2,3 Dioxygenase (IDO)--a tryptophan degrading enzyme--has been shown to be implicated in one of nature's most impressive examples of tolerance, which is maternal acceptance of the semi-allogeneic foetus. Although many experimental findings propose IDO as a key player in induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance, scepticism exists as to whether IDO represents a promising therapeutic target with clinical relevance. In this review article we will discuss the role of IDO in transplantation and take a critical look at IDO-based therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. stefan.loeb@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Löb
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Königsrainer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D050503:Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase; D014364:Tryptophan