Natural aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands control organogenesis of intestinal lymphoid follicles.
Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) expressing the transcription factor RORγt induce the postnatal formation of intestinal lymphoid follicles and regulate intestinal homeostasis. RORγt(+) ILC express the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a highly conserved, ligand-inducible transcription factor believed to control adaptation of multicellular organisms to environmental challenges. We show that AhR is required for the postnatal expansion of intestinal RORγt(+) ILC and the formation of intestinal lymphoid follicles. AhR activity within RORγt(+) ILC could be induced by dietary ligands such as those contained in vegetables of the family Brassicaceae. AhR-deficient mice were highly susceptible to infection with Citrobacter rodentium, a mouse model for attaching and effacing infections. Our results establish a molecular link between nutrients and the formation of immune system components required to maintain intestinal homeostasis and resistance to infections.
Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
Elina A
EA
Kiss
Cedric
C
Vonarbourg
Stefanie
S
Kopfmann
Elias
E
Hobeika
Daniela
D
Finke
Charlotte
C
Esser
Andreas
A
Diefenbach
D000818:Animals; D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D044082:Citrobacter rodentium / Q000276:immunology; D004032:Diet; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D008024:Ligands; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D038081:Organogenesis; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D051792:Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; C484722:Ahr protein, mouse