Fig. 1

Expression of AhR in CD4⁺ T cells from patients with aGVHD and non-aGVHD cases. A Relative mRNA levels of AhR in CD4⁺ T cells from patients with aGVHD (n = 15) and non-aGVHD cases (n = 15), normalized to GAPDH. B Representative Western blot results for AhR protein expression in CD4⁺ T cells from patients with aGVHD and non-aGVHD cases (Top). Quantitative analysis of band intensities for AhR protein levels normalized by GAPDH (Bottom) (patients with aGVHD: n = 15, patients without aGVHD: n = 15). C Representative Western blot showing AhR protein levels in normal CD4⁺ T cells transfected with AhR interference (pRS-AhR) or negative control (pRS) plasmid. D The transfected cells were cultured with AhR agonist ITE and stimulated with Dynabeads T cell expander. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the expression levels of T cell activation markers (CD40L, CD134 and CD137) in different transfection groups. E Statistical analysis of flow cytometry data. F Normal CD4⁺ T cells were transfected with pRS-AhR or pRS plasmid, and treated with ITE, in the presence of anti-CD3/anti-CD28 antibodies with IL2. The CCK8 assay was performed to detect cell proliferation. Data represent the means of three independent experiments (**P < 0.01)