Tryptophan catabolism generates autoimmune-preventive regulatory T cells

Transpl Immunol. 2006 Dec;17(1):58-60. doi: 10.1016/j.trim.2006.09.017. Epub 2006 Oct 10.

Abstract

Tryptophan catabolism is a tolerogenic effector system in regulatory T cell function, yet the general mechanisms whereby tryptophan catabolism affects T cell responses remain unclear. We provide evidence that its effects include the emergence of a regulatory phenotype in naive CD4(+)CD25(-) cells via the general control non-depressing 2 (GCN2) protein kinase mediated induction of the forkhead transcription factor Foxp3. These cells are capable of effective control of diabetogenic T cells in vivo.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmunity*
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / immunology
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred DBA
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Models, Immunological
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / immunology
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Tryptophan / immunology*
  • Tryptophan / metabolism*

Substances

  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • Tryptophan
  • Eif2ak4 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases