Figure 2.

Model for interactions of AhR ligands and SCFAs with AhR-expressing cells in the intestine. Microbiota- and dietary-derived AhR ligand and SCFAs target intestinal AhR-responsive cell types resulting in changes in gene expression which subsequently impacts intestinal barrier function, inflammation, stem cells, and carcinogenesis. The illustrated impacts of the diverse AhR ligands are primarily observed when these compounds are AhR agonists which protect against gut inflammation and cancer.