Aryl-Hydrocarbon Receptor Dysregulation and Its Correlation With Immunomodulatory Markers in Covid-19 Patients Publisher Pubmed



A Mazari ABEDA ; Mh Nicknam Mohammad HOSSEIN ; S Assadiasl SARA ; M Sadr MARYAM ; H Mojtahedi HANIEH ; M Ahmadi MARYAM ; S Enayat SINA ; A Asgari ALIREZA ; N Soleimanifar NARJES
Source: Inflammopharmacology Published:2025

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic with various clinical symptoms has posed significant challenges to the healthcare system. The aryl-hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor that can be activated by both external and internal ligands, may play a role in the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6. Additionally, indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-1 is thought to have an immunomodulatory role and provides kynurenine, an AhR agonist. This research aimed to examine the alteration of AhR and IDO-1 gene expression in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 as well as evaluate their correlation with IL-6 and interferon (IFN)-α serum levels. Methods: A total of 30 patients diagnosed with COVID-19, along with 30 healthy individuals matched for age and gender, were chosen to serve as the control group. The gene expressions of AhR and IDO-1 were assessed using RT-PCR as well as the serum concentration of IL-6 was measured using ELISA techniques. Results: The results showed an increased level of AhR gene expression (p value: 0.017), and elevated serum levels of IL-6 (p value: 0.044) in the patients with COVID analyzed alongside the control group. However, IDO-1 gene expression was slightly downregulated. IFN-α serum levels were comparable between the two groups. AhR gene expression had a weak negative correlation with IDO-1 expression. Neither IL-6 nor IFN-α showed a correlation with AhR expression; nonetheless, IL-6 demonstrated an increasing pattern by disease severity. Conclusion: This study’s outcomes revealed a dysregulated expression of AhR and IDO-1 in COVID-19 patients. IL-6 was elevated, but IDO-1 as an immunomodulatory molecule was suppressed. Besides, AhR expression showed no correlation with IDO-1, IL-6, or IFN-α levels. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.