Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Human Diseases

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Metabolism Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2024) | Viewed by 1403

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Anatomic Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
Interests: probiotics; prebiotics; postbiotics; gut microbiota
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Accumulating evidence suggests that nutritional factors can influence the immune system by modulating metabolites, which may originate from host digestion or microbiota metabolism. The diet serves as a rich source of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists. AhR has the capability to bind various exogenous ligands, including natural plant flavonoids, polyphenols, and indoles, along with synthetic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dioxin-like compounds. As a cytosolic transcription factor, AhR typically remains inactive. However, upon binding to these chemical ligands, AhR undergoes translocation into the nucleus, where it forms a dimer with ARNT (AhR nuclear translocator). This molecular interaction ultimately results in alterations in gene transcription.

The AhR has emerged as a crucial regulator in inflammatory signaling, influencing the abundance and function of various immune cells in both innate and adaptive immune systems. The expression of AhR has been linked to protection against intestinal inflammation and the maintenance of barrier function. Furthermore, AhR plays a significant role in the host's defense against both extracellular and intracellular bacterial infections. During bacterial infections, AhR appears to have a dual role of promoting certain anti-bacterial activities while concurrently fostering 'disease tolerance' to minimize immunopathology in the host.

In light of these findings, advancements in identifying and understanding microbiota-derived AhR ligands could pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches to address multiple inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Dr. Fu-Chen Huang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • nutrition
  • aryl hydrocarbon receptor
  • inflammation
  • infection
  • innate immunity
  • adaptive immunity
  • colitis
  • microbiota

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 2585 KiB  
Article
Unveiling the Novel Benefits of Co-Administering Butyrate and Active Vitamin D3 in Mice Subjected to Chemotherapy-Induced Gut-Derived Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sepsis
by Fu-Chen Huang and Shun-Chen Huang
Biomedicines 2024, 12(5), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12051026 - 7 May 2024
Viewed by 1177
Abstract
Cancer patients face increased susceptibility to invasive infections, primarily due to ulcerative lesions on mucosal surfaces and immune suppression resulting from chemotherapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) bacteremia is notorious for its rapid progression into fatal sepsis, posing a significant threat to [...] Read more.
Cancer patients face increased susceptibility to invasive infections, primarily due to ulcerative lesions on mucosal surfaces and immune suppression resulting from chemotherapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) bacteremia is notorious for its rapid progression into fatal sepsis, posing a significant threat to cancer patients, particularly those experiencing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. This bacterial infection contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality rates among such individuals. Our latest report showed the mutually beneficial effects of postbiotic butyrate on 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3)-controlled innate immunity during Salmonella colitis. Hence, we investigated the impact of butyrate and 1,25D3 on chemotherapy-induced gut-derived P. aeruginosa sepsis in mice. The chemotherapy-induced gut-derived P. aeruginosa sepsis model was established through oral administration of 1 × 107 CFU of the P. aeruginosa wild-type strain PAO1 in C57BL/6 mice undergoing chemotherapy. Throughout the infection process, mice were orally administered butyrate and/or 1,25D3. Our observations revealed that the combined action of butyrate and 1,25D3 led to a reduction in the severity of colitis and the invasion of P. aeruginosa into the liver and spleen of the mice. This reduction was attributed to an enhancement in the expression of defensive cytokines and antimicrobial peptides within the cecum, coupled with decreased levels of zonulin and claudin-2 proteins in the mucosal lining. These effects were notably more pronounced when compared to treatments administered individually. This study unveils a promising alternative therapy that involves combining postbiotics and 1,25D3 for treating chemotherapy-induced gut-derived P. aeruginosa sepsis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Human Diseases)
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