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01-11-2013 | Review

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and colitis

Authors: Ivan Monteleone, Francesco Pallone, Giovanni Monteleone

Published in: Seminars in Immunopathology | Issue 6/2013

Abstract

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor activated by a large variety of natural and synthetic ligands, has recently become the object of great interest among researchers since it represents an important link between environment and immune-mediated pathologies. In this context, evidence has been accumulated to show that AhR is necessary for the maintenance/expansion of intraepithelial lymphocytes and interleukin-22-producing innate lymphoid cells in the gut and that defects in AhR-delivered signals may contribute to amplify gut tissue destructive immune-inflammatory reactions. We here review the available data supporting the role of AhR in the control of immune homeostasis in the gut and discuss whether and how AhR activators can help dampen inflammatory processes.

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Title: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and colitis
Authors: Ivan Monteleone
Francesco Pallone
Giovanni Monteleone
Publication date: 01-11-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Seminars in Immunopathology / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 1863-2297
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2300
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-013-0396-2

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