Tryptophan degradation in autoimmune diseases (original) (raw)

Abstract.

Recent evidence points to tryptophan (Trp) degradation as a potent immunosuppressive mechanism involved in the maintenance of immunological tolerance. Both Trp depletion and downstream Trp catabolites (TCs) appear to synergistically confer protection against excessive inflammation. In this review, we give an overview of the immunosuppressive properties of Trp degradation with special focus on TCs. Constitutive and inducible Trp degradation in different cell types and tissues of human and murine origin is summarized. We address the influence of Trp degradation on different aspects of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Possible therapeutic approaches for autoimmune disorders targeting Trp degradation are presented, and key issues relevant for the development of such therapeutic strategies are discussed.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurooncology, University Hospital of Heidelberg and Experimental Neuroimmunology Group, INF 400 and German Cancer Research Center, INF 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
    C. A. Opitz, W. Wick & M. Platten
  2. Department of General Neurology and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University Hospital of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
    C. A. Opitz, W. Wick & M. Platten
  3. Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Beckman Center for Molecular Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
    L. Steinman

Authors

  1. C. A. Opitz
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  2. W. Wick
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  3. L. Steinman
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
  4. M. Platten
    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence toM. Platten.

Additional information

Received 21 March 2007; received after revision 2 May 2007; accepted 1 June 2007

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Opitz, C.A., Wick, W., Steinman, L. et al. Tryptophan degradation in autoimmune diseases.Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 64, 2542 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-007-7140-9

Download citation

Keywords.