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Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in materno-fetal interaction
1Institute of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Center of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Harrachgasse 21, 8010 Graz, Austria. peter.sedlmayr@meduni-graz.at
Abstract:
The mechanism of maternal immunotolerance of the semiallogeneic fetus has been a matter of intense investigation. The tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is reported to be critically implicated. This article discusses findings pertaining to the role of IDO in pregnancy, its location at the feto-maternal interface, systemic induction of IDO in pregnancy and the association of IDO to spontaneous abortion and preeclampsia. Whereas there is a large body of evidence supporting the relevance of IDO as a key immunoregulatory factor in feto-maternal tolerance, open questions remain concerning as to its role.
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