Regulation of the Immune Response by the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is activated by small molecules provided by the diet, microorganisms, metabolism, and pollutants. AhR is expressed by a number of immune cells, and thus AhR signaling provides a molecular pathway that integrates the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Immunity (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 48; no. 1; p. 19
Main Authors: Gutiérrez-Vázquez, Cristina, Quintana, Francisco J
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 16.01.2018
Subjects:
Animals
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Immune System - metabolism
Immune System - physiology
Ligands
Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon - metabolism
Signal Transduction - physiology
ISSN:1097-4180, 1097-4180
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is activated by small molecules provided by the diet, microorganisms, metabolism, and pollutants. AhR is expressed by a number of immune cells, and thus AhR signaling provides a molecular pathway that integrates the effects of the environment and metabolism on the immune response. Studies have shown that AhR signaling plays important roles in the immune system in health and disease. As its activity is regulated by small molecules, AhR also constitutes a potential target for therapeutic immunomodulation. In this review we discuss the role of AhR in the regulation of the immune response in the context of autoimmunity, infection, and cancer, as well as the potential opportunities and challenges of developing AhR-targeted therapeutics.
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ISSN:1097-4180
1097-4180
DOI:10.1016/j.immuni.2017.12.012