The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) pathway controls allergy Allergy, 05/16/2012

Bubnoff D et al. – A series of recent studies have demonstrated that the immunoregulatory pathway of tryptophan catabolism, initiated by the enzyme indoleamine 2,3–dioxygenase (IDO), is a critical participant in allergic inflammation. Originally known for its regulatory function during pregnancy and during chronic inflammation in tumorigenesis and infection, the activity of IDO seems to positively modify the inflammatory state of atopy or allergy. The tryptophan degradation pathway is important for tolerance induction during systemic allergen immunotherapy.