Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Promotes IL-10 Expression in Inflammatory Macrophages Through Src-STAT3 Signaling Pathway

Overview

Journal Front Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2018 Oct 5

PMID 30283437

Citations 75

Authors

Junyu Zhu

Li Luo

Lixing Tian

Shangqi Yin

Xiaoyuan Ma

Shaowen Cheng

Wanqi Tang

Jing Yu

Wei Ma

Xiaoying Zhou

Xia Fan

Xue Yang

Jun Yan

Xiang Xu

Chuanzhu Lv

Huaping Liang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an important immune regulator with a role in inflammatory response. However, the role of AhR in IL-10 production by inflammatory macrophages is currently unknown. In this study, we investigated LPS-induced IL-10 expression in macrophages from AhR-KO mice and AhR-overexpressing RAW264.7 cells. AhR was highly expressed after LPS stimulation through NF-κB pathway. Loss of AhR resulted in reduced IL-10 expression in LPS-induced macrophages. Moreover, the IL-10 expression was elevated in LPS-induced AhR-overexpressing RAW264.7 cells. Maximal IL-10 expression was dependent on an AhR non-genomic pathway closely related to Src and STAT3. Furthermore, AhR-associated Src activity was responsible for tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and IL-10 expression by inflammatory macrophages. Adoptive transfer of AhR-expressing macrophages protected mice against LPS-induced peritonitis associated with high IL-10 production. In conclusion, we identified the AhR-Src-STAT3-IL-10 signaling pathway as a critical pathway in the immune regulation of inflammatory macrophages, It suggests that AhR may be a potential therapeutic target in immune response.

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