Fig. 6: Kyn-activated AhR promotes lipid peroxidation in thymocytes of CLP mice.

A AhR expression in the nucleus and cytoplasm of thymocytes from sham and CLP mice after 1-MT treatment compared with vehicle (n = 5). B AhR expression in the nucleus and cytoplasm of thymocytes from sham and CLP mice after Kyn treatment compared with vehicle (n = 5). C−E Representative images of thymus morphology (C), and quantification of thymus weight (D) and thymocyte counts (E) in sham and CLP mice after treatment with Kyn and AhR inhibitor TMF, compared to Kyn or vehicle alone (n = 6). F Representative HE staining of thymocytes from sham and CLP mice treated with Kyn and TMF, compared to Kyn or vehicle alone (scale bar = 50 μm). G Representative TEM images of thymocytes from sham and CLP mice treated with Kyn and TMF, compared to Kyn or vehicle alone (scale bar = 200 nm). H, I Flow cytometry analysis of ROS production (H) and lipid peroxidation (I) in thymocytes from sham and CLP mice treated with Kyn and TMF, compared to Kyn or vehicle alone (n = 6). J MDA levels in thymic tissue from sham and CLP mice treated with Kyn and TMF, compared to Kyn or vehicle alone (n = 10). K Immunofluorescence staining of 4-HNE in thymic sections from sham and CLP mice treated with Kyn and TMF, compared to Kyn or vehicle alone (scale bar = 25 μm). L Thymocytes were isolated from sham and CLP mice 24 h post-surgery. ChIP analysis was performed to assess AhR binding at XRE sites within the Pla2g4a promoter region, with IgG serving as a negative control (n = 3). Bars represent the means ± SEM.