Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation alters immune cell populations in the lung and bone marrow during coronavirus infection

In this study, we report that AHR activation significantly altered immune cells in the lungs and bone marrow of mice infected with a mouse coronavirus. AHR activation transiently reduced the frequency of multiple cells in the mononuclear phagocyte system, including monocytes, interstitial macrophages, and dendritic cells in the lung. In the bone marrow, AHR activation altered myelopoiesis, as evidenced by a reduction in granulocyte-monocyte progenitor cells and an increased frequency of myeloid-biased progenitor cells. Moreover, AHR activation significantly affected multiple stages of the megakaryocyte lineage. Overall, these findings indicate that AHR activation modulates multiple aspects of the immune response to a CoV infection. Given the significant burden of respiratory viruses on human health, understanding how environmental exposures shape immune responses to infection advances our knowledge of factors that contribute to variability in disease severity and provides insight into novel approaches to prevent or treat disease.PMID:38290163 | DOI:10.1152/ajplung.00236.2023
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology - Category: Cytology Authors: Source Type: research