Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Controls Monocyte Differentiation into Dendritic Cells versus Macrophages

After entering tissues, monocytes differentiate into cells that share functional features with either macrophages or dendritic cells (DCs). How monocyte fate is directed toward monocyte-derived macrophages (mo-Macs) or monocyte-derived DCs (mo-DCs) and which transcription factors control these differentiation pathways remains unknown. Using an in vitro culture model yielding human mo-DCs and mo-Macs closely resembling those found in vivo in ascites, we show that IRF4 and MAFB were critical regulators of monocyte differentiation into mo-DCs and mo-Macs, respectively. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) promoted mo-DC differentiation through the induction of BLIMP-1, while impairing differentiation into mo-Macs. AhR deficiency also impaired the in vivo differentiation of mouse mo-DCs. Finally, AHR activation correlated with mo-DC infiltration in leprosy lesions. These results establish that mo-DCs and mo-Macs are controlled by distinct transcription factors and show that AHR acts as a molecular switch for monocyte fate specification in response to micro-environmental factors.