Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway: How Cigarette Smoke Triggers Skin Inflammation and Sebaceous Gland Hyperplasia
Introduction The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that plays a critical role in mediating the biological effects of environmental toxins, including cigarette smoke. Recent research highlights AhR as a central regulator of skin homeostasis and inflammation. This topic introduces the significance of AhR signaling in dermatological research and its relevance to smoke-induced skin pathology. Cigarette Smoke as an Environmental Stressor Cigarette smoke contains numerous toxic compounds capable of penetrating the skin barrier and disrupting cellular function. Research in this area focuses on how these toxicants activate intracellular signaling pathways, leading to oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and long-term structural changes in skin tissue. Activation of the AhR Signaling Pathway in Skin Cells This topic examines the molecular mechanisms by which cigarette smoke components activate the AhR pathway in keratinocytes and sebocyte...