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An Interaction between Kynurenine and the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Can Generate Regulatory T Cells

2010/08/18 by Joshua D Mezrich, Joshua D. Mezrich, John H Fechner +8 · 42 citations
Neuroscience · #Tryptophan and brain disorders #Stress Responses and Cortisol #Circadian rhythm and melatonin

paper · pdf · doi:10.4049/jimmunol.0903670

Abstract

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has been known to cause immunosuppression after binding dioxin. It has recently been discovered that the receptor may be central to T cell differentiation into FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) versus Th17 cells. In this paper, we demonstrate that kynurenine, the first breakdown product in the IDO-dependent tryptophan degradation pathway, activates the AHR. We furthermore show that this activation leads to AHR-dependent Treg generation. We additionally investigate the dependence of TGF-beta on the AHR for optimal Treg generation, which may be secondary to the upregulation of this receptor that is seen in T cells postexposure to TGF-beta. These results shed light on the relationship of IDO to the generation of Tregs, in addition to highlighting the central importance of the AHR in T cell differentiation. All tissues and cells were derived from mice.

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