MRC National Institute for Medical Research, London
Science for Health
Gitta Stockinger group project:
Modulation of immune responses by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand dependent transcription factor best known for mediating the toxicity of dioxin. We showed that in the CD4 T cell lineage AhR expression is restricted to the Th17 subset. Activation of AhR during Th17 development markedly increases the proportion of Th17 T cells and it essential for their production of IL-22.
Activation of AhR by a potentially diverse range of endogenous and exogenous ligands is therefore an essential co-factor in the optimal differentiation of Th17 effector cells. The AhR links the biological activity of these cells- from their role in host defense to the detrimental role in autoimmunity- to a wide range of environmental factors. Furthermore, AhR has distinct physiological roles in other cell types, notably antigen presenting cells.
We are using Cre-mediated deletion and reporting for AhR expression in different cell types to study AhR impact in various inflammatory models in vivo.
Selected publications
- Veldhoen, M; Hirota, K; Westendorf, AM; Buer, J; Dumoutier, L; Renauld, J-C and Stockinger, B (2008)
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor links TH17-cell-mediated autoimmunity to environmental toxins.
Nature 4531, 106-109 PubMed abstract
Stockinger group
Recent publications
Research projects
- Plasticity of CD4 effector T cell development
- Modulation of immune responses by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor
- Role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and its ligands in Th17 mediated immune responses
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