WikiBiomeThe human microbiome encyclopediaRanked matches across titles, topics, categories, and article introductions.
Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) is the signature Th1 cytokine and the primary activator of macrophage antimicrobial functions. In the WikiBiome framework, IFN-γ is critical for two reasons: it drives nutritional immunity (iron restriction against intracellular pathogens) and i…
Kynurenine is the primary metabolite of the kynurenine pathway, which handles ~95% of tryptophan catabolism in the body. While serotonin gets more attention, the kynurenine pathway is quantitatively dominant -- and its downstream metabolites span the range from neuropro…
Quinolinic acid (QA) is a neurotoxic metabolite of the kynurenine pathway — the branch of tryptophan catabolism driven by IFN-γ-induced IDO activation. QA is an NMDA receptor agonist that causes excitotoxic neuronal death at elevated concentrations. It is produced prima…
Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that the human body cannot synthesize and must obtain from diet. It occupies a uniquely important position at the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and microbial ecology because it is the sole precursor to serotonin, a…