Benzopyrene, a major polyaromatic hydrocarbon in smoke fume, mobilizes Langerhans cells and polarizes Th2/17 responses in epicutaneous protein sensitization through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common disease with genetic and environmental interactions. We previously reported lifetime exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with adult-onset AD. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is important in regulating environmental exposure to xenobiotics, including benzopyrenes (BP), a major polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) present in cigarette smoke. However, how AhR regulates immune responses in sensitization phase of AD remained elusive. Methods We investigated how BP affects epicutaneous sensitization response through AhR axis. We compared AhR expression in skin from AD patients and healthy controls. We measured immune responses (Langerhans cell migration and T cell polarization in epicutaneous Ova sensitization in mice with or without AhR defect. Results We found AhR and ARNT (AhR nuclear translocator) are upregulated in AD skin. BP exposure increases Langerhans cell migration, and increases IL-5, IL-13, and IL-17 levels when lymph node cells were re-challenged with Ova. The increased cytokine levels were attenuated in AhR defected mice. AhR agonists (BP and ITE) decreased E-cadherin expression, while AhR antagonist (CH223191) increased it in human primary keratinocytes. Conclusions These results suggested AhR interacts with BP to polarize T cell responses, along with Langerhans cell migration. This study revealed a regulatory mechanism how cigarette smoking affects atopic sensitization through the benzopyrene-AhR interaction.