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Abstract
Low-molecular-weight chemicals or xenobiotics might contribute to the increasing prevalence
of allergies and autoimmunity. Certain chemicals can alter immune responses via their
action on the cytosolic transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). AhR
recognizes numerous small xenobiotic and natural molecules, such as dioxin and the
tryptophan photoproduct 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole. Although AhR is best known
for mediating dioxin toxicity, knockout studies have indicated that AhR also plays
a role in normal physiology, including certain immune responses. In particular, Th17
cells and dendritic cells express high levels of AhR. We review here current evidence
for the physiological role of AhR in the immune system, focussing in particular on
T-cell biology.