Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Author Spotlight: Advancing Allergic Rhinitis Research with Multicolor Immunofluorescence
Published on: September 22, 2023
Increased expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases
Hye One Kim1, Jin Hye Kim, Bo Young Chung
1Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) are major environmental pollutants, and their effects on the human body critically depend on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of the AhR and its ligands in chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis. Expression of AhR-related mRNA was increased in lesional skin from patients with AD and psoriasis compared to those of normal skin from healthy controls. The AhR and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator were colocalized in the nuclei of keratinocytes at the lower epidermis of psoriatic lesions, which suggested activation of the AhR pathway. After treatment of normal human epidermal keratinocytes with TCDD or PCBs, IL-6 and IL-8 production were increased. The results of this study suggest that AhR is highly expressed in the acute lesional skin of patients with AD and psoriasis, and the AhR pathway is activated especially in psoriasis.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory Response
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...

