Control of T(reg) and T(H)17 cell differentiation by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

Abstract

Regulatory T cells (T(reg)) expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 control the autoreactive components of the immune system. The development of T(reg) cells is reciprocally related to that of pro-inflammatory T cells producing interleukin-17 (T(H)17). Although T(reg) cell dysfunction and/or T(H)17 cell dysregulation are thought to contribute to the development of autoimmune disorders, little is known about the physiological pathways that control the generation of these cell lineages. Here we report the identification of the ligand-activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) as a regulator of T(reg) and T(H)17 cell differentiation in mice. AHR activation by its ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin induced functional T(reg) cells that suppressed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. On the other hand, AHR activation by 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole interfered with T(reg) cell development, boosted T(H)17 cell differentiation and increased the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice. Thus, AHR regulates both T(reg) and T(H)17 cell differentiation in a ligand-specific fashion, constituting a unique target for therapeutic immunomodulation.

• Authors: Francisco J Quintana, Alexandre S Basso, Antonio H Iglesias, Thomas Korn, Mauricio F Farez, Estelle Bettelli, Mario Caccamo, Mohamed Oukka, Howard L Weiner
• Journal: Nature (Nature) Vol. 453 Issue 7191 Pg. 65-71 (May 01 2008) ISSN: 1476-4687 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18362915 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 6-formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole
• Carbazoles
• Forkhead Transcription Factors
• Foxp3 protein, mouse
• Indoles
• Interleukin-17
• Ligands
• Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
• Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1

Topics

• Animals
• Carbazoles (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Cell Differentiation
• Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental (chemically induced, immunology)
• Forkhead Transcription Factors (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Indoles (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Interleukin-17 (metabolism)
• Ligands
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon (genetics, metabolism)
• T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (cytology, drug effects, metabolism)
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1 (immunology, metabolism)