Influenza And H1N1: Alert For People With Lung Disease And Their Caregivers

Influenza And H1N1: Alert For People With Lung Disease And Their Caregivers

The AhR and Diseases of the Lung!

Nrf2 is a modulator of inflammatory mediators as well as, interacts with the aryl hydrocarbon (AhR). Neff-Layford suggests that activation of the AhR by pollutants dysregulates IFN-gamma through an iNOS pathway which may lead to a difference in the severity of infection. The author explains further that overproduction of IFN-gamma leads to hyperinflammation in lungs of humans and animals and the levels of IFN-gamma and iNOS correlates with severity of those with acute respiratory distress syndrome. She points out that both influenza and activation of the AhR have been implicated as increasing the severity of these diseases. She concludes that inappropriate activation of the AhR contributes to the severity and complexity of diseases of the lung.

Neff-LaFord, H., Teske, S., Bushnell, T. P., and Lawrence, B. P. (2007). Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation during influenza virus infection unveils a novel pathway of ifn-
production by phagocytic cells1. The Journal of Immunology, 179:247-255 http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5759129