Ablating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in CD11c+ cells perturbs intestinal epithelium development and intestinal immunity

Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 12:6:23820. doi: 10.1038/srep23820.

Abstract

Diet and microbiome derived indole derivatives are known to activate the ligand induced transcription factor, the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR). While the current understanding of AhR biology has confirmed its role in mucosal lymphocytes, its function in intestinal antigen presenting cells (APCs) is poorly understood. Here, we report that Cre-mediated deletion of AhR in CD11c-expressing cells in C57/BL6 mice is associated with altered intestinal epithelial morphogenesis in vivo. Moreover, when co-cultured with AhR-deficient DCs ex vivo, intestinal organoids showed reduced SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 9 and increased Mucin 2 expression, which correlates with reduced Paneth cells and increased goblet cell differentiation, similar to the data obtained in vivo. Further, characterization of intestinal APC subsets, devoid of AhR, revealed an expression pattern associated with aberrant intrinsic Wnt pathway regulation. At a functional level, the loss of AhR in APCs resulted in a dysfunctional epithelial barrier, associated with a more aggressive chemically induced colitis compared to wild type animals. Our results are consistent with a model whereby the AhR signalling pathway may participate in the regulation of innate immunity through intestinal epithelium development and mucosal immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / chemistry
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / physiology*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / deficiency
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • CD11c Antigen / analysis*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Colitis / pathology*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Intestinal Mucosa / growth & development*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Organoids
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / deficiency
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / genetics
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / metabolism*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway

Substances

  • Ahr protein, mouse
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • CD11c Antigen
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon