Impacts of Tryptophan Metabolism on the Outcome of Host-Pathogen Interactions
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 1
Special Issue Editors
Interests: infectious diseases; intestinal microbiota; opportunistic pathogens; tryptophan metabolism; inflammation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that, after absorption, can be metabolized by the host via two main pathways: the serotonin pathway and the kynurenine pathway. Tryptophan can also be metabolized by microorganisms into various indole metabolites. Through the activation of host receptors, such as AHR and PXR, tryptophan metabolites can regulate the immune response, metabolism, and neuroendocrine functions, playing a crucial role in cancer and infectious diseases. Furthermore, tryptophan metabolites play a crucial role in inter-kingdom communication (microbiota–pathogen–host), influencing pathogen virulence and acting as quorum-sensing molecules. Therefore, it is essential to further explore the role of tryptophan metabolism in the context of host–pathogen interaction.
This Special Issue welcomes contributions (original research articles and reviews) on the impacts of tryptophan metabolism on the outcome of host–pathogen interactions. We welcome manuscripts exploring how tryptophan metabolism influences inflammation and other biological processes in response to infection by pathogens, as well as tryptophan metabolism involvement in pathogen virulence and other traits in microorganisms.
Dr. Caio Tavares Fagundes
Dr. Camila Brito
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- kynurenine pathway
- indoles
- serotonin pathway
- microbiota
- virulence
- inflammation
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