| First Author | Mezrich JD | Year | 2010 |
| Journal | J Immunol | Volume | 185 |
| Issue | 6 | Pages | 3190-8 |
| PubMed ID | 20720200 | Mgi Jnum | J:163544 |
| Mgi Id | MGI:4822282 | Doi | 10.4049/jimmunol.0903670 |
| Citation | Mezrich JD, et al. (2010) An Interaction between Kynurenine and the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Can Generate Regulatory T Cells. J Immunol 185(6):3190-8 |
| abstractText | 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. |
