Dysregulation of stress erythropoiesis and enhanced susceptibility to Salmonella Typhimurium infection in AhR-deficient mice.

Background: By acting as an environmental sensor, the ligand-induced transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) regulates acute innate and adaptive immune responses against pathogens. Here, we analyzed the function of AhR in a model for chronic systemic infection with attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium (STM).

Methods: WT and AhR-deficient mice were infected with the attenuated STM strain TAS2010 and analyzed for bacterial burden, host defense functions and inflammatory stress erythropoiesis.