Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and liver fibrosis

Abstract

The concept of toxicant-associated liver disease (TALD) has recently emerged linking exposure to pollutants to the development of chronic liver diseases (CLD) including fibrosis. Among such pollutants, ligands of the Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR), a transcriptional factor involved in detoxification processes, have been suspected to trigger multiple mechanisms (oxidative stress, epithelial and mesenchymal transition) associated with the occurrence of such pathologies. However, AhR knockout-mice also could develop liver fibrosis, an observation which might first be described as a paradox. In this review, we will present the different mechanisms linking AhR ligands and CLD and provide a hypothesis to solve this paradox.

Differential cell type-specific function of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and its repressor in diet-induced obesity and fibrosis

“…The role of AhR in hepatic fibrosis, however, is controversially discussed. While global AhR-deficient mice spontaneously developed periportal liver fibrosis [ 101 ], TCDD-induced activation of the AhR has also been described to induce hepatic fibrosis [ [102] , [103] , [104] ]. A possible explanation for this paradox is that very high doses of dioxin, as a strong AhR agonist, can disrupt AhR signaling and thus promote fibrosis [ 104 ].…”

Plant Occurring Flavonoids as Modulators of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor

“…AhR has been associated with key processes such as development, cell cycle regulation, immunity, resilience against stress, homeostasis, and metabolism [ 82 ]. Potential therapeutic uses of AhR modulation include maintenance of lung health [ 83 ], control of the inflammatory process in vascular tissues [ 84 ], treatment of liver and cystic fibrosis [ 85 , 86 ], control of the antioxidant response [ 87 ], and regulation of neural functions in both vertebrates and invertebrates [ 88 ].…”

Simultaneous Quantification of Multiple Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Aqueous Media using Micelle Assisted White Light Excitation Fluorescence

“…They are one of the main ubiquitous pollutants in the environment, especially in water bodies. The impact of PAHs on the environment and living system is critically reviewed on account of its carcinogenicity and mutagenicity 5 . PAHs reach water bodies from many resources especially from the combustion of fossil fuels, coal tars, incomplete burning of fuels, tobacco products, etc 6 .…”