Role of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Immune Modulation

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), originally discovered as a xenobiotic receptor involved in upregulating metabolic enzymes, has become increasingly linked to physiological processes such as cell cycle regulation, proliferation, differentiation, and survival as well as disease states associated with dysregulation of these processes. The discovery of endogenous dietary and bacterial-derived ligands for the AhR further supports its involvement in the homeostatic regulation of biological processes. The dysregulation of many of these can lead to disease states involving the immune system. Indeed, a toxicological and/or physiological role of the AhR in almost every facet of the immune system has emerged over the past two decades. Now, in addition to the AhR being an environmental sensor and mediator of toxicity, it has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. However, many questions remain regarding the interplay between the toxicological and physiological functions of the AhR as well as the molecular mechanisms by which the AhR mediates its pleiotropic effects.

The purpose of this Research Topic is to evaluate experimental evidence that contributes to defining the role of the AhR in modulating immune function at steady-state and under disease conditions.

Both literature Reviews and Original Research articles will be considered. In addition, contributions that consider mechanisms of AhR biology and its relevance in human models will be considered with much interest.