Project description:Iron metabolism is pivotal for cell fitness in the mammalian host. However, its role in group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) is unknown. Here we show that transferrin receptor CD71-mediated iron metabolism cell-intrinsically controls ILC3 maintenance, cytokine production and host protection against Citrobacter rodentium infection, and metabolically affects mitochondrial respiration by switching of oxidative phosphorylation toward glycolysis. Iron deprivation or Tfrc deficiency reduces the expression and/or activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), a ligand-dependent transcription factor and a key ILC3 regulator. Furthermore, consistent with its role in generation of Ahr ligand, microbiome exerts a negative impact on CD71 expression in an Ahr-dependent manner. Genetic ablation or activation of Ahr in ILC3s leads to CD71 upregulation or downregulation, respectively, suggesting an active suppression of CD71 by Ahr. Iron overload partially restores defective ILC3 compartment in the small intestine of Ahr-deficient mice, representing compensatory action of CD71 upregulation during Ahr deficiency. Mechanistically, Ahr directly binds to the promoter region of the Tfrc locus to inhibit Tfrc transcription. These data collectively demonstrate an under-appreciated role of the Ahr-CD71-iron axis in regulation of ILC3 maintenance and function.
Project description:The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) activated complex regulates genes in response to the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AHR has also emerged as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of human diseases and different cancers, including breast cancer. To better understand AHR and ARNT signaling in breast cancer cells, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation linked to high throughput sequencing to identify AHR- and ARNT-binding sites across the genome in TCDD treated MCF-7 cells. We identified 2,594 AHR-bound, 1,352 ARNT-bound and 882 high confidence AHR/ARNT co-bound regions. No significant differences in the genomic distribution of AHR and ARNT were observed. Approximately 60% of the co-bound regions contained at least one core AHRE, 5'-GCGTG-3'. AHR/ARNT peak density was the highest within 1 kb of transcription start sites (TSS); however, a number of AHR/ARNT co-bound regions were located as far as 100 kb from TSS. De novo motif discovery identified a symmetrical variation of the AHRE (5'-GTGCGTG-3'), as well as FOXA1 and SP1 binding motifs. Microarray analysis identified 104 TCDD responsive genes where 98 genes were up-regulated by TCDD. Of the 104 regulated genes, 69 (66.3%) were associated with an AHR- or ARNT-bound region within 100 kb of their TSS. Overall our study identified AHR/ARNT co-bound regions across the genome, revealed the importance but not absolute requirement for an AHRE in AHR/ARNT interactions with DNA, and identified a modified AHRE motif, thereby increasing our understanding of AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Examination of genome-wide AHR and ARNT binding pattern in MCF-7
Project description:Iron metabolism is pivotal for cell fitness in the mammalian host. However, its role in group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) is unknown. Here we show that transferrin receptor CD71-mediated iron metabolism cell-intrinsically controls ILC3 maintenance, cytokine production and host protection against Citrobacter rodentium infection, and metabolically affects mitochondrial respiration by switching of oxidative phosphorylation toward glycolysis. Iron deprivation or Tfrc deficiency reduces the expression and/or activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), a ligand-dependent transcription factor and a key ILC3 regulator. Furthermore, consistent with its role in generation of Ahr ligand, microbiome exerts a negative impact on CD71 expression in an Ahr-dependent manner. Genetic ablation or activation of Ahr in ILC3s leads to CD71 upregulation or downregulation, respectively, suggesting an active suppression of CD71 by Ahr. Iron overload partially restores defective ILC3 compartment in the small intestine of Ahr-deficient mice, representing compensatory action of CD71 upregulation during Ahr deficiency. Mechanistically, Ahr directly binds to the promoter region of the Tfrc locus to inhibit Tfrc transcription. These data collectively demonstrate an under-appreciated role of the Ahr-CD71-iron axis in regulation of ILC3 maintenance and function.
Project description:In this study, we compared the genome-wide binding profiles of AHR and AHRR in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells treated for 24 h with TCDD using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by next generation sequencing (ChIP-Seq). Overall, this study reveals that AHR and AHRR exhibit similar but also distinct genome-wide binding profiles, supporting the notion that AHRR is a context- and gene-specific repressor of AHR activity.
Project description:The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and AHR nuclear translocator (ARNT) activated complex regulates genes in response to the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). AHR has also emerged as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of human diseases and different cancers, including breast cancer. To better understand AHR and ARNT signaling in breast cancer cells, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation linked to high throughput sequencing to identify AHR- and ARNT-binding sites across the genome in TCDD treated MCF-7 cells. We identified 2,594 AHR-bound, 1,352 ARNT-bound and 882 high confidence AHR/ARNT co-bound regions. No significant differences in the genomic distribution of AHR and ARNT were observed. Approximately 60% of the co-bound regions contained at least one core AHRE, 5'-GCGTG-3'. AHR/ARNT peak density was the highest within 1 kb of transcription start sites (TSS); however, a number of AHR/ARNT co-bound regions were located as far as 100 kb from TSS. De novo motif discovery identified a symmetrical variation of the AHRE (5'-GTGCGTG-3'), as well as FOXA1 and SP1 binding motifs. Microarray analysis identified 104 TCDD responsive genes where 98 genes were up-regulated by TCDD. Of the 104 regulated genes, 69 (66.3%) were associated with an AHR- or ARNT-bound region within 100 kb of their TSS. Overall our study identified AHR/ARNT co-bound regions across the genome, revealed the importance but not absolute requirement for an AHRE in AHR/ARNT interactions with DNA, and identified a modified AHRE motif, thereby increasing our understanding of AHR/ARNT signaling pathway.
Project description:Atopic dermatitis is increasing worldwide, correlating with air pollutions. Various organic components of pollutants activate transcription factor AhR (aryl-hydrocarbon receptor). We have established AhR-CA mice, whose keratinocytes express constitutive-active AhR, and these mice developed atopic dermatitis-like frequent scratching and allergic inflammation. In this study we performed ChIP-seq analyses and identified keratinocyte-specific AhR target genes, including inflammatory cytokines Tslp and IL33, and neurotrophic factor Artemin. While AhR-CA mice exhibited epidermal hyperinnervation and alloknesis leading to hypersensitivity to pruritus, blockade of Artemin alleviated these phenotypes. AhR-CA mice showed scratching-induced barrier insufficiency and enhanced sensitization to epicutaneously-applied antigens, recapitulating human atopic dermatitis. Consistently, AhR activation and Artemin expression was detected in the epidermis of atopic dermatitis patients and keratinocytes exposed to air pollutants. Thus, AhR in keratinocytes senses the environmental stimuli and responds to them through moderating inflammation. We propose a mechanism in which air pollution induces atopic dermatitis through AhR activation.
Project description:ChIP-seq was done on one lymphoblastoid cell lines for vehicle control, or 3-MC agonist treatment to identify AHR binding regions throughout the genome. We identified 17,688 common binding peaks between all ChIP treatments
Project description:Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are important for mucosal immunity. The intestine harbors all ILC subsets; however, how these cells orchestrate each other to achieve immune homeostasis and mount appropriate immunity during infection remains elusive. Here, we show that the adaptation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) expression in the gut is a key regulatory mode for the host to keep the ILC balance. Among ILCs, Ahr is most highly expressed by gut ILC2, and controls in a positive feedback manner, chromatin accessibility at the Ahr gene locus. Ahr suppresses Gfi1-mediated ST2 expression in ILC2 and expression of ILC2 effector molecules IL-5, IL-13 and amphiregulin in a cell-intrinsic manner. Ablation of Ahr enhances anti-helminth immunity in the gut, while genetic or pharmacological activation of Ahr suppresses ILC2 but enhances ILC3 to protect the host from Citrobacter rodentium infection. Thus, the host regulates the gut ILC2-ILC3 balance by engaging the Ahr pathway to mount appropriate immunity against various pathogens.