Contribution of AhR to the ERK-dependent gene expression profile in immature DCs. (A) Relative expression of the indicated genes in immature MDDCs from five independent donors after treatment with either DMSO (-), U0126 (UO; 2.5 μM), or TCDD (10 nM) for 24 hours. Results are expressed as relative expression, which indicates the expression of each gene relative to its expression in DMSO-treated cells (*P < .05). (B) Relative expression of the indicated genes in immature MDDCs treated for 24 hours with U0126 (UO; 2.5 μM), α-NF (1 μM), or both. Results are expressed as relative expression, which indicates the expression of each gene relative to its expression in U0126-treated immature MDDCs (*P < .05). The means and SDs of four independent experiments are presented. (C) Expression of THBS1 in immature MDDCs treated for 24 hours with DMSO (-), U0126 (UO; 2.5 μM), or α-NF (1 μM). The levels of AhR, phosphorylated ERK, and GAPDH protein were determined in parallel. (D) Relative expression of CCR7, RUNX3, IDO1, and ITGB7 genes in immature MDDCs treated for 24 hours with either DMSO (-) or TCDD (10 nM). Results are expressed as relative expression, which indicates the expression of each gene relative to its expression in DMSO-treated immature MDDCs (*P < .05). (E) Relative expression of CCR7, RUNX3, IDO1, and ITGB7 genes in immature MDDCs treated for 24 hours with either U0126 (UO; 2.5 μM), α-NF (1 μM), or both. Results are expressed as relative expression, which indicates the expression of each gene relative to its expression in U0126-treated immature MDDCs (*P < .05). In (D) and (E), the means and SDs of four independent experiments are presented.