Aryl hydrocarbon receptor pathway: Role, regulation and intervention in atherosclerosis therapy (Review)

作者：Kaixi Zhu, Qingqi Meng, Zhi Zhang, Yi Tao, Yuan He, Jing Zheng, Wei Lei · 发表于：Molecular Medicine Reports · 年份：2019 · DOI：10.3892/mmr.2019.10748 · 被引用次数：80 · 研究领域：Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases、Eicosanoids and Hypertension Pharmacology、Fatty Acid Research and Health

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand‑activated transcription factor originally isolated and characterized as the dioxin or xenobiotic receptor. With the discovery of endogenous ligands and studies of AhR knockout mice, AhR has been found to serve an important role in several biological processes, including immune responses and developmental and pathological regulation. In particular, it has been considered as a new major player in cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have revealed that the development of atherosclerosis is closely associated with AhR function. However, the roles of the AhR in the pathological development of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis‑associated diseases remain unclear. The current review presents the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of AhR expression during inflammation, oxidative stress and lipid deposition. Additionally, the role of the AhR in atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis‑associated diseases is reviewed.