RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Control of Adaptive Immunity JF Pharmacological Reviews JO Pharmacol Rev FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 1148 OP 1161 DO 10.1124/pr.113.007823 VO 65 IS 4 A1 Francisco J. Quintana A1 David H. Sherr A2 Paul A. Insel YR 2013 UL http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/65/4/1148.abstract AB The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that belongs to the family of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors. Although the AhR was initially recognized as the receptor mediating the pathologic effects of dioxins and other pollutants, the activation of AhR by endogenous and environmental factors has important physiologic effects, including the regulation of the immune response. Thus, the AhR provides a molecular pathway through which environmental factors modulate the immune response in health and disease. In this review, we discuss the role of AhR in the regulation of the immune response, the source and chemical nature of AhR ligands, factors controlling production and degradation of AhR ligands, and the potential to target the AhR for therapeutic immunomodulation.