Abstract
Millions of individuals worldwide are afflicted with acute and chronic respiratory diseases, causing temporary and permanent disabilities and even death. Oftentimes, these diseases occur as a result of altered immune responses. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, acts as a regulator of mucosal barrier function and may influence immune responsiveness in the lungs through changes in gene expression, cell–cell adhesion, mucin production, and cytokine expression. This review updates the basic immunobiology of the AhR signaling pathway with regards to inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and silicosis following data in rodent models and humans. Finally, we address the therapeutic potential of targeting the AhR in regulating inflammation during acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
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Acknowledgments
This work is supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants R01 ES013784 (DMS) and R15 ES020993A (CAB). Also, the authors acknowledge the use of the CEHS Core Facilities at the University of Montana (supported by grant P20 RR017670), and generous support from Dr. Jacquie Harper and her research group at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research in Wellington, New Zealand. The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
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This article is a contribution to the special issue on Roles of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Controlling Immunity - Guest Editors: C. Pot, V. Kuchroo and F. Quintaña
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Beamer, C.A., Shepherd, D.M. Role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in lung inflammation. Semin Immunopathol 35, 693–704 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-013-0391-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-013-0391-7