Stimulation of human monocyte-derived-macrophages (MDM) with interferon gamma induces the L-tryptophan degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). It has been well documented that the growth of some intra-cellular parasites such as Chlamydia and Toxoplasma in human fibroblasts and glioblastoma cells is inhibited by IDO mediated L-tryptophan depletion. We have recently shown that IDO induction in cord blood MDM is also responsible for the growth inhibition of extra-cellular group B streptococci and thus for the first time shown an anti-bacterial effect of IDO activation. In view of this immunological function we sought to investigate the regulation, and in particular the downregulation of IDO by the immune system. We describe here the effect of cytokines on IDO activation and in particular the inhibitory function of IL-10, TGF beta and IL-4.