Transfection of indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase in primary endothelial cells

The endothelial cell plays a central role in the control of inflammatory processes. The recruitment of inflammatory leucocytes into the blood vessels is controlled by the expression of adhesion molecules on the endothelium as well as the secretion and presentation of chemokines. Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) is an enzyme that metabolises tryptophan and is known to be central in the regulation of immune responses. IDO can be expressed on endothelial cells and can alter T-cell responses to the endothelium. We show that IDO can be readily transfected in primary endothelial cells and detail a method to determine the activity of the transfected protein.