Activation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor in Langerhans cells by a microbial metabolite of tryptophan negatively regulates skin inflammation

Background Skin commensal bacteria play important roles in skin homeostasis. Langerhans cells (LCs) are epidermis-resident dendritic cells that sense environmental stimuli and are critical in the induction of immune tolerance to allergen and bacterial skin flora. However, response of LCs to the metabolites of the skin microbiota is not clear. Objective To explore the effects of the skin microbial metabolites on LCs activation. Methods LCs derived from CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells in the cord blood were treated with a microbial metabolite of tryptophan, indole-3-aldehyde (IAId). Activation aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling, production of IL-10, and expression of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) / receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) in LCs or keratinocytes were analyzed using quantitative PCR, western blotting and flow cytometry. LCs maturation induced by IAId and CD4+ T cell response induced by IAId-conditioned LCs were also investigated. Results IAId induced the production of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and IL-10 in LCs through the activation of AhR. IAId promoted the expression of RANK and RANKL on LCs and keratinocytes in an AhR-dependent manner respectively, which might result in activation of NF-κB signaling and production of IL-10. Moreover, a mature phenotype of LCs was induced by IAId, and IAId-activated LCs inhibited CD4+ T cell proliferation and induced IL-10 secretion. Conclusions Our study revealed a negatively regulatory function of a tryptophan metabolite on LCs through the activation of AhR, and the microbial metabolites could be utilized in future treatment for inflammatory skin diseases.