Aryl hydrocarbon receptor connects dysregulated immune cells to atherosclerosis

Abstract

As a chronic inflammatory disease with autoimmune components, atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have revealed that the development of atherosclerosis is strongly linked to the functional activities of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a chemical sensor that is also important for the development, maintenance, and function of a variety of immune cells. In this review, we focus on the impact of AHR signaling on the different cell types that are closely related to the atherogenesis, including T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, foam cells, and hematopoietic stem cells in the arterial walls, and summarize the latest development on the interplay between this environmental sensor and immune cells in the context of atherosclerosis. Hopefully, elucidation of the role of AHR in atherosclerosis will facilitate the understanding of case variation in disease prevalence and may aid in the development of novel therapies.

Keywords: AHR; Atherosclerosis; Immune cells; Vascular tissues; ox-LDL.