text: Disruption of contact inhibition, which was induced by toxic AhR ligands 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (<< TCDD >>) or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in epithelial WB-F344 cells, reduced [[ Cx43 ]] protein levels, possibly via enhanced proteasomal degradation, significantly decreased the amount of gap junction plaques and downregulated GJIC, in an AhR-dependent manner.