Title:IDO+ DCs and Signalling Pathways
Volume: 13
Issue: 3
Author(s): Yue Wang, Bao-Hong Yang, Hui Li, Shui Cao, Xiu-Bao Ren and Jin-Pu Yu
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Cancer, dendritic cells, immune response, indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase, signalling pathways, tolerance
Abstract: Dendritic cells (DCs) have traditionally been viewed as constituting an ‘information management’ system that
functions solely to integrate a diverse array of incoming signals, in order to induce immune reactivity. In recent years,
however, there has been a shift towards viewing these cells as key regulators in the orchestration of immunological
tolerance, with increasing recognition that they are capable of suppressing T-cell responses depending on signalling
processes and localised biochemical conditions. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) competent (IDO+) DCs are a subset
of human DCs which are programmed to a tolerogenic state and play a vital role in establishing and maintaining a tumoursuppressing
milieu. The expression of IDO in these DCs represents a key mechanism responsible for inducing the
tolerogenic state. However, the mechanisms by which IDO becomes dysregulated in this subset of DCs have not yet been
described. In this review, the function of IDO+ DCs within the cancer-tolerogenic milieu, as well as the signals
responsible for expression of IDO in this subset, will be discussed.
