Psychological stress-induced, IDO1-dependent tryptophan catabolism: implications on immunosuppression in mice and humans.

ABSTRACT: It is increasingly recognized that psychological stress influences inflammatory responses and mood. Here, we investigated whether psychological stress (combined acoustic and restraint stress) activates the tryptophan (Trp) catabolizing enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1(IDO1) and thereby alters the immune homeostasis and behavior in mice. We measured IDO1 mRNA expression and plasma levels of Trp catabolites after a single 2-h stress session and in repeatedly stressed (4.5-days stress, 2-h twice a day) naïve BALB/c mice. A role of cytokines in acute stress-induced IDO1 activation was studied after IFNgamma and TNFalpha blockade and in IDO1(-/-) mice. RU486 and 1-Methyl-L-tryptophan (1-MT) were used to study role of glucocorticoids and IDO1 on Trp depletion in altering the immune and behav

SUBMITTER: Kiank C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2911374 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature