Aryl hydrocarbon receptor and IL-13 signaling crosstalk in human keratinocytes and atopic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic skin disease mediated by skin barrier impairment and IL-13-driven immune response. Activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) has shown promise in early clinical trials for AD; however, the mechanism by which AHR partially ameliorates AD is not well known. Gene expression data from human biopsies were analyzed, and compared to gene expression from RNA-sequencing in our HaCaT cell model system. Western blot, ELISA qRT-PCR were used to further explore the relationship between AHR and IL-13 signaling in HaCaT cells. The AHR target gene decreased in lesional skin compared with healthy control skin ( = 4.30 × 10 ). Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) demonstrated increased expression (