title: Exogenous stimuli maintain intraepithelial lymphocytes via aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation.
abstract: The body's surfaces form the interface with the external environment, protecting the host. These epithelial barriers are also colonized by a controlled diversity of microorganisms, disturbances of which can give rise to disease. Specialized intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs), which reside at these sites, are important as a first line of defense as well as in epithelial barrier organization and wound repair. We show here that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a crucial regulator in maintaining IEL numbers in both the skin and the intestine. In the intestine, AhR deficiency or the lack of AhR ligands compromises the maintenance of IELs and the control of the microbial load and composition, resulting in heightened immune activation and increased vulnerability to epithelial damage. AhR activity can be regulated by dietary components, such as those present in cruciferous vegetables, providing a mechanistic link between dietary compounds, the intestinal immune system, and the microbiota.
authors: Division of Molecular Immunology, MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, UK.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Innocentin
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Withers
authors: Natalie A
authors: NA
authors: Roberts
authors: Alec R
authors: AR
authors: Gallagher
authors: Elena F
authors: EF
authors: Grigorieva
authors: Christoph
authors: C
authors: Wilhelm
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Veldhoen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon