Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Hepatic and Metabolic Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor in the Per/Arnt/Sim (PAS) domain protein family. Decades of research on AhR have unraveled its involvement in the regulation of adaptive and toxic responses to a variety of environmental pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons—most notably 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Historical studies on the AhR focused their efforts towards understanding the molecular basis for  TCDD toxicity, which manifests as a broad spectrum of biological processes including hepatotoxicity, liver tumor, and metabolic deterioration. Apart from studying the involvement of AhR in xenobiotic regulation, recent studies have identified a plethora of AhR agonists and antagonists that can aggravate and alleviate hepatic and metabolic diseases. Moreover, significant efforts have been made to understand the mechanistic role of AhR in hepatic and metabolic diseases, including fatty liver disease, obesity, and hyperglycemia.

This Special Issue of Biomolecules called “Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor in Hepatic and Metabolic Diseases” will incorporate a variety of perspectives regarding the role of AhR in hepatic and metabolic diseases—ranging from basic studies investigating fundamental signaling pathways to clinical and translational studies. We would also like to review the current state of knowledge around AhR in hepatometabolic disorders and potentially novel preclinical/clinical therapeutic interventions.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Biomolecules.

Dr. Aditya D. Joshi
Guest Editor

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• aryl hydrocarbon receptor
• alcoholic liver disease
• non-alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
• hepatitis
• obesity
• hyperglycemia