Abstract
In 1953 Medawar pointed out that survival of the genetically disparate (allogeneic) mammalian conceptus contradicts the laws of tissue transplantation. Rapid T cell-induced rejection of all allogeneic concepti occurred when pregnant mice were treated with a pharmacologic inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a tryptophan-catabolizing enzyme expressed by trophoblasts and macrophages. Thus, by catabolizing tryptophan, the mammalian conceptus suppresses T cell activity and defends itself against rejection.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1191-1193 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Science |
Volume | 281 |
Issue number | 5380 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 21 1998 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General