Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026

A Method for Islet Transplantation to the Omentum in Mouse
Published on: January 7, 2019
Role of IDO in organ transplantation: promises and difficulties
Stefan Löb1, Alfred Königsrainer
1Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, University Hospital of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. stefan.loeb@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Induction of donor-antigen-specific immunological tolerance still remains the "holy grail" in organ transplantation. Recently, Indoleamine-2,3 Dioxygenase (IDO)--a tryptophan degrading enzyme--has been shown to be implicated in one of nature's most impressive examples of tolerance, which is maternal acceptance of the semi-allogeneic foetus. Although many experimental findings propose IDO as a key player in induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance, scepticism exists as to whether IDO represents a promising therapeutic target with clinical relevance. In this review article we will discuss the role of IDO in transplantation and take a critical look at IDO-based therapeutic strategies.
Induction of donor-antigen-specific immunological tolerance still remains the "holy grail" in organ transplantation. Recently, Indoleamine-2,3 Dioxygenase (IDO)--a tryptophan degrading enzyme--has been shown to be implicated in one of nature's most impressive examples of tolerance, which is maternal acceptance of the semi-allogeneic foetus. Although many experimental findings propose IDO as a key player in induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance, scepticism exists as to whether IDO represents a promising therapeutic target with clinical relevance. In this review article we will discuss the role of IDO in transplantation and take a critical look at IDO-based therapeutic strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Tissue Transplantation
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy the...
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
