Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0021051 (immunodeficiency)
71,517 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Reduced tryptophan and increased kynurenine concentrations have been reported in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. From in vitro data it appears that activated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is involved in this metabolic change. IDO is inducible by interferon-(IFN)-gamma. We compared serum concentrations of IFN-gamma and neopterin (the biosynthesis of which is also inducible by IFN-gamma) with serum, tryptophan and kynurenine of 42 patients with HIV-1 infection. IFN-gamma, neopterin and kynurenine levels were significantly increased compared to HIV-1 seronegative controls whereas tryptophan was significantly decreased. Various significant correlations were found between tryptophan, kynurenine, IFN-gamma and neopterin concentrations. Highest degree of correlation was found between neopterin, IFN-gamma and the kynurenine per tryptophan quotient which is the ratio between the product and the substrate concentration of IDO. The data indicate that decreased tryptophan in HIV-1 seropositives may result from chronic immune activation and can be referred to increased activation of IDO.
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PMID:Increased endogenous interferon-gamma and neopterin correlate with increased degradation of tryptophan in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection. 190 3

Genetic modification of dendritic-cell (DC) function is an attractive approach to treat disease, either using mature DCs (mDCs) to immunize patients, or immature DCs (iDCs) to induce tolerance. Viral vectors are efficient at transducing DCs, and we have investigated the effect of transduction with a variety of viral vectors on the phenotype and function of DCs. Adenovirus (Ad), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), equine anemia virus (EIAV), and Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) all up-regulate costimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression on DCs, as well as, in the case of Ad and lentiviral vectors, inducing production of Th1 and proinflammatory cytokines. Following transduction there is activation of double-stranded (ds) RNA-triggered pathways resulting in interferon (IFN) alpha/beta production. In addition, the function of virally infected DCs is altered; iDCs have an increased, and mDCs a decreased, ability to stimulate a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Viral transduction of mDCs results in up-regulation of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) enzyme, which down-regulates T-cell responsiveness. Inhibition of IDO restores the ability of mDCs to stimulate an MLR, indicating that IDO is responsible for the modulation of mDC function. These data have important implications for the use of viral vectors in the transduction of DCs.
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PMID:Modulation of human dendritic-cell function following transduction with viral vectors: implications for gene therapy. 1567 41

In both rodent and human systems, there is an emerging consensus that immunoregulatory activity specific for donor alloantigens is enriched in the CD4(+)CD25+ T cell population. The absence of CD4(+)CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells induces severe immunodeficiency with autoimmune disease, dermatitis and fatal infections in humans and mice. CD4(+)CD25+ Treg cells play a critical role in peripheral tolerance, transplantation tolerance and maternal tolerance to the fetus. Although both human and mouse CD4(+)CD25+ Treg have potent regulatory properties, surface phenotypes of human CD4(+)CD25+ Treg cells are not exactly the same as those of mouse CD4(+)CD25+ Treg cells. Murine CD4(+)CD25+ T cells are homogenous and exhibit regulatory function. On the other hand, CD4(+)CD25high T cells are the only cells which exhibit regulatory function in humans. Humans CD4(+)CD25low cells have no ability for immunosuppression. CD4(+)CD25high T cells inhibit the immunostimulation of conventional T cells through cell-to-cell contact or immunosuppressive cytokines such as interleukin 10 and transforming growth factor-beta. As another mechanism of immunosuppression, CTLA-4 on CD4(+)CD25+ regulatory T cells up-regulate indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression in dendritic cells which play important roles for immunosuppression. Here, we review the differences between humans and mouse Treg cells and the role of CD4(+)CD25+Treg during pregnancy.
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PMID:CD4(+)CD25high regulatory T cells in human pregnancy. 1581 16

The essential amino acid tryptophan is a constituent of proteins and is also a substrate for two important biosynthetic pathways: the generation of neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) by tryptophan 5-hydroxylase, and the formation of kynurenine derivatives and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides. The latter pathway is initiated by the enzymes tryptophan pyrrolase (tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase, TDO) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). TDO is located in liver cells, whereas IDO is expressed in a variety of cells including monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells and is preferentially induced by Th1-type cytokine interferon-gamma. Tryptophan depletion via IDO is part of the cytostatic and antiproliferative activity mediated by interferon-gamma in cells. In vivo tryptophan concentration can be measured by HPLC by monitoring its natural fluorescence (285 nm excitation and 365 nm emission wavelength). IDO activity is characterized best by the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio which correlates with concentrations of immune activation markers such as neopterin. Low serum/plasma tryptophan concentration is observed in infectious, autoimmune, and malignant diseases and disorders that involve cellular (Th1-type) immune activation as well as during pregnancy due to accelerated tryptophan conversion. Thus, in states of persistent immune activation, low tryptophan concentration may contribute to immunodeficiency. Decreased serum tryptophan can also effect serotonin biosynthesis and thus contribute to impaired quality of life and depressive mood. As such, monitoring tryptophan metabolism in chronic immunopathology provides a better understanding of the association between immune activation and IDO and its role in the development of immunodeficiency, anemia and mood disorders.
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PMID:Monitoring tryptophan metabolism in chronic immune activation. 1613 56

Headache and/or migraine, a common problem in pediatrics and internal medicine, affect about 5% to 10% children and adolescents, and nearly 30% of middle-aged women. Headache is also one of the most common clinical manifestations of acquired Toxoplasma gondii infection of the central nervous system (CNS) in immunosuppressed subjects. We present 11 apparently nonhuman immunodeficiency virus-infected children aged 7 to 17 years (8 girls, 3 boys) and 1 adult woman with recurrent severe headaches in whom latent chronic CNS T. gondii infection not manifested by enlarged peripheral lymph nodes typical for toxoplasmosis, was found. In 7 patients, the mean serum IgG Toxoplasma antibodies concentration was 189 +/- 85 (SD) IU/mL (range 89 to 300 IU/mL), and in 5 other subjects, the indirect fluorescent antibody test titer ranged from 1:40 to 1:5120 IU/mL (n= <1:10 IU/mL). Some of the patients suffered also from atopic dermatitis (AD) and were exposed to cat and/or other pet allergens, associated with an increased IL-4 and decreased IFN-gamma production. These cytokine irregularities caused limited control of cerebral toxoplasmosis probably because IL-4 down-regulated both the production of IFN-gamma and its activity, and stimulated production of a low NO-producing population of monocytes, which allowed cysts rupture, increased parasite multiplication and finally reactivation of T. gondii infection. The immune studies performed in 4 subjects showed a decreased percentage of T lymphocytes, increased total number of lymphocytes B and serum IgM concentration, and impaired phagocytosis. In addition, few of them had also urinary tract diseases known to produce IL-6 that can mediate immunosuppressive functions, involving induction of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These disturbances probably resulted from the host protective immune reactions associated with the chronic latent CNS T. gondii infection/inflammation. This is consistent with significantly lower enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity reported in atopic than in nonatopic individuals, and an important role that IDO and tryptophan degradation pathways plays in both, the host resistance to T. gondii infection and its reactivation. Analysis of literature information on the subjects with different types of headaches caused by foods, medications, and other substances, may suggest that their clinical symptoms and changes in laboratory data result at least in part from interference of these factors with dietary tryptophan biotransformation pathways. Several of these agents caused headache attacks through enhancing NO production via the conversion of arginine to citrulline and NO by the inducible nitric oxide synthase enzyme, which results in the high-output pathway of NO synthesis. This increased production of NO is, however, quickly down-regulated by NO itself because this biomolecule can directly inactivate NOS, may inhibit Ia expression on IFN-gamma-activated macrophages, which would limit antigen-presenting capability, and block T-cell proliferation, thus decreasing the antitoxoplasmatic activity. Moreover, NO inhibits IDO activity, thereby suppressing kynurenine formation, and at least one member of the kynurenine pathway, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, has been shown to inhibit NOS enzyme activity, the expression of NOS mRNA, and activation of the inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor-kB. In addition, the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10, TGF-beta, and a cytokine known as macrophage deactivating factor, have been shown to directly modulate NO production, sometimes expressing synergistic activity. On the other hand, IL-4 and TGF-beta can suppress IDO activity in some cells, for example human monocytes and fibroblasts, which is consistent with metabolic pathways controlled by IDO being a significant contributor to the proinflammatory system. Also, it seems that idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pseudotumor cerebri, and aseptic meningitis, induced by various factors, may result from their interference with IDO and inducible nitric oxide synthase activities, endogenous NO level, and cytokine irregularities which finally affect former T. gondii status 2mo in the brain. All these biochemical disturbances caused by the CNS T. gondii infection/inflammation may also be responsible for the relationship found between neurologic symptoms, such as headache, vertigo, and syncope observed in apparently immunocompetent children and adolescents, and physical and psychiatric symptoms in adulthood. We therefore believe that tests for T. gondii should be performed obligatorily in apparently immunocompetent patients with different types of headaches, even if they have no enlarged peripheral lymph nodes. This may help to avoid overlooking this treatable cause of the CNS disease, markedly reduce costs of hospitalization, diagnosis and treatment, and eventually prevent developing serious neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
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PMID:Recurrent headache as the main symptom of acquired cerebral toxoplasmosis in nonhuman immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects with no lymphadenopathy: the parasite may be responsible for the neurogenic inflammation postulated as a cause of different types of headaches. 1730 77

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) results in a chronic infection that progressively cripples the host immune defenses. HIV infection is associated with increased tryptophan (trp) catabolism by the cytokine-inducible enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). IDO has powerful immune suppressive activity, which could contribute to the immune dysfunction observed in HIV-infected patients. In this review we discuss the immune mechanisms that could mediate the HIV-induced increase of IDO activity (such as IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, CTLA-4/B7 and direct viral exposure). We then consider the current knowledge of IDO-mediated immune suppressive mechanisms with regard to different cell types (CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, natural killer cells, B cells and regulatory T cells), from the perspective of their potential consequences for the HIV-infected host. HIV-induced, IDO-mediated trp catabolism may contribute to the perpetuation of HIV infection into its chronic phase by dampening efficient immune anti-viral responses. Therapeutic approaches aimed at manipulating this powerful immune suppressive mechanism might be considered in the setting of HIV infection.
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PMID:How does indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase contribute to HIV-mediated immune dysregulation. 1743 Jan 10

High levels of viral replication occur in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and other lymphoid tissues (LT) since the early phase of human/simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV/SIV) infection. Regulatory T cells (T(reg)), a subset of immunosuppressive T cells expressing CTLA-4 and the FoxP3 transcription factor, accumulate in LT during HIV/SIV infection. Here we show that FoxP3 and CTLA-4 mRNA are increased in leukocytes from the spleens, lymph nodes (LN), and mucosal sites of chronically SIV-infected macaques with high viremia (SIV(HI)) compared to animals with low viremia (SIV(LO)). FoxP3 and CTLA-4 correlated with SIV RNA levels in tissues; SIV virus levels in the spleen, inguinal LN, mesenteric LN, colon, and jejunum directly correlated with the plasma virus level. Importantly, CTLA-4 and FoxP3 mRNA were predominantly increased in the CD25(-) subpopulation of leukocytes from SIV(HI), further challenging the classical definition of T(reg) as CD4(+) CD25(+) T cells. Similar to CTLA-4 and FoxP3, expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an immunosuppressive enzyme induced by T(reg) in antigen-presenting cells, was increased in the spleens, mesenteric LN, colons, and jejuna from SIV(HI) compared to SIV(LO) and directly correlated to SIV RNA in the same tissues. Accordingly, plasma kynurenine/tryptophan, a marker for IDO enzymatic activity, was significantly higher in SIV(HI) compared to SIV(LO) and correlated with plasma viral levels. Increased T(reg) and IDO in LT of SIV-infected macaques may be the consequence of increased tissue inflammation and/or may favor virus replication during the chronic phase of SIV infection.
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PMID:Regulatory T-cell markers, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, and virus levels in spleen and gut during progressive simian immunodeficiency virus infection. 1771 31

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection causes progressive impairment of the immune system in humans, characterized by depletion of CD4 T cells and loss of T cell function. Increased markers of T cell activation and lymphoid hyperplasia suggest that chronic T cell activation persists in immunocompromised hosts, and contributes to the exhaustion of immune functions. Here we propose a revision of this hypothesis, in which we suggest that chronic activation of innate immunity may negatively affect adaptive T cell-mediated responses. We hypothesize that constant exposure of the effector cells of innate immunity to HIV results in their chronic hyperactivation, with deleterious effects on T cells. In particular, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) may be highly susceptible to HIV-induced activation due to its interaction with the cellular receptor CD4, expressed by pDC. Subsequent production of type I interferon and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase may exert suppressive and cytotoxic effects on T cells.
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PMID:Chronic innate immune activation as a cause of HIV-1 immunopathogenesis. 1791 42

Immune dysfunction in trauma patients is associated with immune system activation and inflammation. The cytokine-inducible enzyme IDO (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) initiates the degradation of the essential aromatic amino acid tryptophan via the kynurenine pathway and could contribute to deficient immune responsiveness. Activated IDO is indicated by an increased kyn/trp (kynurenine/tryptophan) ratio. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether tryptophan degradation is associated with outcome in patients post-trauma. Tryptophan and kynurenine concentrations were measured by HPLC in serum specimens of 15 patients post-trauma during 12-14 days of follow-up. Up to five samples within this observation period from each patient were included in this analysis, and a total a 69 samples were available. For further comparisons, concentrations of the immune activation marker neopterin were measured. Compared with healthy controls, the average kyn/trp ratio and kynurenine concentrations were increased in patients, whereas tryptophan concentrations were decreased. During follow-up, increased kyn/trp ratio and kynurenine concentrations (all P<0.001) were observed, whereas the changes in tryptophan concentrations were not significant. Non-survivors had higher kyn/trp ratios and kynurenine concentrations compared with survivors. The kyn/trp ratio correlated with neopterin concentrations (r(s)=0.590, P<0.001). In conclusion, these results imply that increased tryptophan degradation in patients is due to activated IDO, which most probably is a consequence of a host defence response. These findings support a possible role for IDO in the development of immunodeficiency and death in patients.
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PMID:Tryptophan degradation in multiple trauma patients: survivors compared with non-survivors. 1898 3

Systemic immunization of macaques with a combination of DNA-poxvirus-based vaccines confers protection from high level of both systemic and mucosal viral replication following rectal exposure to the pathogenic SIV(mac251). Here we investigated early post-infection events in rectal and vaginal tissues, and found that the loss of CCR5+CD4+ T cells was equivalent in vaccinated and control macaques, despite a three logs reduction at mucosal sites of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) RNA in the vaccinated group. Even though a normal CD4+ T cell number is not reconstituted at mucosal sites in either group, vaccination appeared to confer a better preservation of the CD4+ CCR5+ T cells that replenish these sites. Analysis of rectal tissues RNA following challenge exposure demonstrated a decreased expression in vaccinated macaques of transforming growth factor-beta, cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4, FoxP3, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, an immune suppressive enzyme expressed by dendritic cells that converts tryptophan to kynurenine and limits T-cell responses. Accordingly, the ratio of kynurenine and tryptophan in the plasma was significantly reduced in the vaccinated animals respect to the controls. Thus, preexisting adaptive immune responses induced by these vaccine modalities, although they do not protect from CD4+ T-cell depletion, nevertheless, they contain SIV(mac251) replication and delay expression of markers of T-cell activation and/or suppression at mucosal sites.
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PMID:CD4+ T-cell loss and delayed expression of modulators of immune responses at mucosal sites of vaccinated macaques following SIV(mac251) infection. 1907 17


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