Regulation of immune responses by L-arginine metabolism

V Bronte, P Zanovello - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2005 - nature.com
V Bronte, P Zanovello
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2005nature.com
Abstract l-Arginine is an essential amino acid for birds and young mammals, and it is a
conditionally essential amino acid for adult mammals, as it is important in situations in which
requirements exceed production, such as pregnancy. Recent findings indicate that
increased metabolism of l-arginine by myeloid cells can result in the impairment of
lymphocyte responses to antigen during immune responses and tumour growth. Two
enzymes that compete for l-arginine as a substrate—arginase and nitric-oxide synthase …
Abstract
L-Arginine is an essential amino acid for birds and young mammals, and it is a conditionally essential amino acid for adult mammals, as it is important in situations in which requirements exceed production, such as pregnancy. Recent findings indicate that increased metabolism of L-arginine by myeloid cells can result in the impairment of lymphocyte responses to antigen during immune responses and tumour growth. Two enzymes that compete for L-arginine as a substrate — arginase and nitric-oxide synthase — are crucial components of this lymphocyte-suppression pathway, and the metabolic products of these enzymes are important moderators of T-cell function. This Review article focuses on the relevance of L-arginine metabolism by myeloid cells for immunity under physiological and pathological conditions.
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