Kynurenine, a metabolite produced by the action of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase on tryptophan, accumulates under inflammatory conditions and has immunomodulatory effects. This study by Yutang Wang et al. describes a new function for kynurenine as an endogenous vasodilator under conditions of systemic inflammation, such as malaria infection and endotoxemia in mice, and provides insight into the molecular mechanisms involved (pages 265–267).
- Yutang Wang
- Hanzhong Liu
- Roland Stocker
