Figure 6: Nrf2-mediated IL-22 induction in Th17 cells is dependent on AhR:

A-D) Naïve CD4⁺ T cells from AhR^fl/fl and AhR^CD4 mice were polarized to Th17 cells in presence of CDDO-Im or vehicle control for 4 days. Differentiated cells were restimulated with BD leukocyte cocktail (1:200). CD4⁺ T cells (gated on CD45⁺CD3⁺CD4⁺) were examined for AhR expression (A). IL-17A and IL-22 production were also analyzed by flow cytometry. Data show representative image (B) and percentage (C) of CD4⁺ T cells producing IL-17A and IL-22 in response to CDDO-Im or vehicle control (DMSO) stimulation. Culture medium on day 4 was harvested and analyzed for IL-17A and IL-22 concentrations by ELISA (D).

E) Naïve CD4⁺ T cells from C57BL/6 mice were polarized to Th17 cells in presence of CDDO-Im, CH-223191 or vehicle control for 4 days. On day 4, the culture medium was analyzed for IL-22 concentrations by ELISA.

Figure 6A and 6B was a representative image of two independent experiments. Figure 6B and 6D were generated from 2 independent experiments. Each symbol indicates experiments from a separate animal. Data presented as mean ± SEM on relevant graphs. *P ≤ 0.05; ***P ≤ 0.001; ****P ≤ 0.0001 (One-way ANOVA).