Gestational and lactational exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin primes cortical microglia to tissue injury.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have shown that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is expressed in the brain's native immune cells, known as microglia. However, while the impact of exposure to AhR ligands is well studied in the peripheral immune system, the impact of such exposure on immune function in the brain is less well defined. Microglia serve dual roles in providing synaptic and immunological support for neighboring neurons and in mediating responses to environmental stimuli, including exposure to environmental chemicals. Because of their dual roles in regulating physiological and pathological processes, cortical microglia are well positioned to translate toxic stimuli into defects in cortical function via aberrant synaptic and immunological functioning, mediated either through direct microglial Ah

SUBMITTER: Lowery RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9007156 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature