The aryl hydrocarbon receptor in innate T cell immunity

• Published in: Seminars in immunopathology Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 645 - 655
• Main Authors: Stange, Jörg, Veldhoen, Marc
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.11.2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell Communication - immunology; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Hydrocarbons; Immune system; Immunity, Innate; Immunology; Infections - immunology; Infections - metabolism; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - metabolism; Influence; Internal Medicine; Lymphocytes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Mucous Membrane - immunology; Mucous Membrane - metabolism; Pathogens; Physiology; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - metabolism; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon - metabolism; Review; Skin; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; TCDD; Epithelial Barrier; Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor; Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligand; Innate Lymphoid Cell
• ISSN: 1863-2297; 1863-2300
• DOI: 10.1007/s00281-013-0389-1

Recent studies highlight an important role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) at mucosal barriers. Surprisingly, activation of the AhR, required for the maintenance of lymphocytes as well as lymphoid architecture, can be achieved via cues derived from the external environment. This environment contains both beneficial and harmful microorganisms as well as a diverse array of compounds, and the epithelia must offer very sophisticated levels of defence. This is achieved via multifaceted immune recognition diversity and cellular complexity. Mucosal associated tissues, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, constitute a complex immune organ for local lymphocytes and contain highly organised lymphoid structures. We will discuss the recent observations concerning the AhR in relation to the function and maintenance of innate T cells, with focus on γδ T cells found enriched at epithelial barriers.