Role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathway in exceptional longevity in humans

Centenarians are the best example of successfully aging in humans. Thus, the characterization of the biological processes and pathways in this population is an excellent strategy to understand the lifespan extension. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated-transcription factor historically known for regulating expression of several important drug-detoxifying proteins. But recently its role in the immune response and in cellular homeostasis has been recognized. Furthermore, AhR is activated in C. Elegans in extreme longevity due to a dietary restriction. We report here results of a whole transcriptome analysis of centenarians. The main biological process was the immune response and we have highlighted the role of the AhR signaling pathway in exceptionally longevity. These results suggest that the AhR signaling have a role in the exceptional longevity and could have a direct implication in the immune response and detoxification of organism.