Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice
Published on: February 3, 2012
Upregulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in hepatitis C virus infection
Esther Larrea1, José I Riezu-Boj, Lucía Gil-Guerrero
1Division of Gene Therapy and Hepatology, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, Avenida Pío XII 55, 31008 Pamplona, Spain.
Abstract:
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is induced by proinflammatory cytokines and by CTLA-4-expressing T cells and constitutes an important mediator of peripheral immune tolerance. In chronic hepatitis C, we found upregulation of IDO expression in the liver and an increased serum kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (a reflection of IDO activity). Huh7 cells supporting hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication expressed higher levels of IDO mRNA than noninfected cells when stimulated with gamma interferon or when cocultured with activated T cells. In infected chimpanzees, hepatic IDO expression decreased in animals that cured the infection, while it remained high in those that progressed to chronicity. For both patients and chimpanzees, hepatic expression of IDO and CTLA-4 correlated directly. Induction of IDO may dampen T-cell reactivity to viral antigens in chronic HCV infection.
Related Concept Videos
Hepatitis
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
Jaundice

