# Environmental Ah Receptor Ligand Impact on the Host-Microbiome Metabolic Axis

> **NIH NIH R01** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 2020 · $345,997

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) modulates the host-microbiome metabolic axis. There are strong links
between the gut microbiota and the development and/or exacerbation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD), all of which are modulated by activation or repression of the AHR. A mechanistic connection
between AHR activation, changes in gut microbiota composition/function, and NAFLD development has not
been established. Further, the concept that environmental pollutant-mediated disruption and/or modulation of
the AHR-gut microbiota metabolic axis leads to the development of NAFLD has not been addressed. Our
published4-7 and preliminary data with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) indicates AHR activation
profoundly alters the gut microbiota in a qualitative and quantitative manner, increases hepatic lipogenesis,
significantly alters hepatic ceramide synthesis through direct AHR activity (a proposed driver of NAFLD), and
increases systemic inflammation. These results have led to the novel central hypothesis: Dietary exposure to
potent environmental AHR ligands leads to functionally significant changes in the gut microbiota that
exacerbate NAFLD in a time- and Ahr-dependent manner.
Through the innovative use of cutting-edge techniques (16S rRNA gene sequencing, metagenomics and
metabolomics) and unique mouse models (tissue specific knockouts of Ahr, gnotobiotic mice, and fecal
transfer experiments), we plan to identify the functional changes imparted to the gut microbiota following
dietary exposure to potent AHR ligands such as TCDF and to evaluate the AHR-dependent role of ceramides
in driving NAFLD pathogenesis and progression. This combination of approaches will allow us to accurately
assess bacterial community dynamics and its interaction with and impact on the host, and whether these
changes result in increased susceptibility to NAFLD. We are particularly interested in how the timing (weaning,
adulthood) of the exposure influences disease outcome. This study will provide new insight into the effects of
exposure on a number of environmentally relevant persistent AHR ligands, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-
p-dioxin (TCDD) and co-planar PCBs (PCB-126) and provide valuable endpoints for future studies in human
populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9982685
- **Project number:** 5R01ES028288-04
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** Andrew Patterson
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $345,997
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9982685

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9982685, Environmental Ah Receptor Ligand Impact on the Host-Microbiome Metabolic Axis (5R01ES028288-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9982685. Licensed CC0.

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