Tryptophan catabolism, including kynurenine pathway, is known to be involved in immunoregulation and its metabolites play a role in immune modulation. In the context of allergic diseases, it has been proposed that tryptophan degradation pathway, rather than tryptophan deprivation itself, plays an important role in tolerance induction during allergen-specifi c immunotherapy, which is, by far, the only causal treatment of allergic diseases. In addition, it has recently been demonstrated that kynurenine and, perhaps, its metabolites can act through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, a unique cellular chemical sensor, and regulate immune functions. The present review intends to highlight the recent development on the involvement of kynurenine pathway in the regulation of allergic diseases.
Date:
2015-01
Relation:
Targeting the Broadly Pathogenic Kynurenine Pathway. 2015 Jan:109-119.