LXR (liver X receptor) and HNF-4 (hepatocyte nuclear factor-4): key regulators in reverse cholesterol transport

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Crestani ◽  
E. De Fabiani ◽  
D. Caruso ◽  
N. Mitro ◽  
F. Gilardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bile Acid ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Reverse Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Liver X Receptor ◽  
Farnesoid X Receptor ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor

Cholesterol homoeostasis is the result of the fine tuning between intake and disposal of this molecule. High levels of cholesterol in the blood are detrimental as they may lead to excessive accumulation in vessel walls, a condition predisposing to the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Cholesterol is removed from the vessel wall and transported to the liver through a process called reverse cholesterol transport. Nuclear receptors are among the most important transcription factors regulating genes involved in different steps of reverse cholesterol transport. Here, we discuss the role of the nuclear receptors LXR (liver X receptor) and HNF-4α (hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α) in different steps of reverse cholesterol transport. LXR controls the transcription of crucial genes in cholesterol efflux from macrophages and its transport to the liver, such as ABCA1 (ATP binding cassette A1), CYP27A1 (sterol 27-hydroxylase), CLA-1 (scavenger receptor type B1) and apolipoprotein E. Some oxysterols present in oxidized low-density lipoproteins and proinflammatory cytokines modulate the activity of LXR by antagonizing the effect of activators of this receptor, thus contributing to cholesterol accumulation in macrophages. Bile acid synthesis, which represents the final step of reverse cholesterol transport, is transcriptionally regulated by several nuclear receptors at the level of the liver-specific cytochrome P450 cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the rate-limiting enzyme of this metabolic pathway. Bile acids returning to the liver through the enterohepatic circulation down-regulate CYP7A1 transcription via the bile acid sensors farnesoid X receptor and HNF-4α. Based on this evidence, these nuclear receptors are candidate targets of new drugs for the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic disease.

scholarly journals The Xenobiotic-Sensing Nuclear Receptors Pregnane X Receptor, Constitutive Androstane Receptor, and Orphan Nuclear Receptor Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α in the Regulation of Human Steroid-/Bile Acid-Sulfotransferase

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 2099-2111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibtissam Echchgadda ◽  
Chung S. Song ◽  
Taesung Oh ◽  
Mohamed Ahmed ◽  
Isidro John De La Cruz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bile Acid ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Constitutive Androstane Receptor ◽  
Pregnane X Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Orphan Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor ◽  
Site Mutation ◽  
Composite Element ◽  
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4Α

Abstract The nuclear receptors pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) are the primary transcription factors coordinating induced expression of the enzymes and proteins directing oxidative, conjugative, and transport phases of endobiotic and xenobiotic metabolism, whereas hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), a regulator of hepatic lipid homeostasis, can modify the PXR/CAR response. Steroid- and bile acid-sulfotransferase (SULT2A1) promotes phase II metabolism through its sulfonating action on certain endobiotics, including steroids and bile acids, and on diverse xenobiotics, including therapeutic drugs. This study describes characterization of a PXR- and CAR-inducible composite element in the human SULT2A1 promoter and its synergistic interaction with HNF4α. Inverted and direct repeats of AG(G/T)TCA (IR2 and DR4), both binding to PXR and CAR, define the composite element. Differential recognition of the composite element by PXR and CAR is evident because single-site mutation at either IR2 or DR4 in the natural gene abolished the PXR response, whereas mutations at both repeats were necessary to abrogate completely the CAR response. The composite element conferred xenobiotic response to a heterologous promoter, and the cognate ligands induced PXR and CAR recruitment to the chromatin-associated response region. An HNF4α element adjacent to the −30 position enhanced basal promoter activity. Although functioning as a synergizer, the HNF4α element was not essential for the PXR/CAR response. An emerging role of SULT2A1 in lipid and caloric homeostasis suggests that illumination on the regulatory interactions driving human SULT2A1 expression may reveal new avenues to control certain metabolic disorders.

Role of nuclear receptors and hepatocyte-enriched transcription factors for Ntcp repression in biliary obstruction in mouse liver

2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (5) ◽  
pp. G798-G805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gernot Zollner ◽  
Martin Wagner ◽  
Peter Fickert ◽  
Andreas Geier ◽  
Andrea Fuchsbichler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Bile Acid ◽  
Dna Binding ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Farnesoid X Receptor ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Uptake System ◽  
Duct Ligation

Expression of the main hepatic bile acid uptake system, the Na+-taurocholate cotransporter (Ntcp), is downregulated during cholestasis. Bile acid-induced, farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-mediated induction of the nuclear repressor short heterodimer partner (SHP) has been proposed as a key mechanism reducing Ntcp expression. However, the role of FXR and SHP or other nuclear receptors and hepatocyte-enriched transcription factors in mediating Ntcp repression in obstructive cholestasis is unclear. FXR knockout (FXR−/−) and wild-type (FXR+/+) mice were subjected to common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Cholic acid (CA)-fed and LPS-treated FXR−/− and FXR+/+ mice were studied for comparison. mRNA levels of Ntcp and SHP and nuclear protein levels of hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-1α, HNF-3β, HNF-4α, retinoid X receptor (RXR)-α, and retinoic acid receptor (RAR)-α and their DNA binding were assessed. Hepatic cytokine mRNA levels were also measured. CBDL and CA led to Ntcp repression in FXR+/+, but not FXR−/−, mice, whereas LPS reduced Ntcp expression in both genotypes. CBDL and LPS but not CA induced cytokine expression and reduced levels of HNF-1α, HNF-3β, HNF-4α, RXRα, and RARα to similar extents in FXR+/+ and FXR−/−. DNA binding of these transactivators was unaffected by CA in FXR+/+ mice but was markedly reduced in FXR−/− mice. In conclusion, Ntcp repression by CBDL and CA is mediated by accumulating bile acids via FXR and does not depend on cytokines, whereas Ntcp repression by LPS is independent of FXR. Reduced levels of HNF-1α, RXRα, and RARα in CBDL FXR−/− mice and reduced DNA binding in CA-fed FXR−/− mice, despite unchanged Ntcp levels, indicate that these factors may have a minor role in regulation of mouse Ntcp during cholestasis.

scholarly journals Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α (Nuclear Receptor 2A1) Is Essential for Maintenance of Hepatic Gene Expression and Lipid Homeostasis

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1393-1403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham P. Hayhurst ◽  
Ying-Hue Lee ◽  
Gilles Lambert ◽  
Jerrold M. Ward ◽  
Frank J. Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Bile Acid ◽  
Nuclear Receptor ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipid Homeostasis ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Serum Bile Acid ◽  
Acid Uptake ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor ◽  
Hepatocyte Differentiation

ABSTRACT The numerous functions of the liver are controlled primarily at the transcriptional level by the concerted actions of a limited number of hepatocyte-enriched transcription factors (hepatocyte nuclear factor 1α [HNF1α], -1β, -3α, -3β, -3γ, -4α, and -6 and members of the c/ebp family). Of these, only HNF4α (nuclear receptor 2A1) and HNF1α appear to be correlated with the differentiated phenotype of cultured hepatoma cells. HNF1α-null mice are viable, indicating that this factor is not an absolute requirement for the formation of an active hepatic parenchyma. In contrast, HNF4α-null mice die during embryogenesis. Moreover, recent in vitro experiments using tetraploid aggregation suggest that HNF4α is indispensable for hepatocyte differentiation. However, the function of HNF4α in the maintenance of hepatocyte differentiation and function is less well understood. To address the function of HNF4α in the mature hepatocyte, a conditional gene knockout was produced using the Cre-loxP system. Mice lacking hepatic HNF4α expression accumulated lipid in the liver and exhibited greatly reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increased serum bile acid concentrations. The observed phenotypes may be explained by (i) a selective disruption of very-low-density lipoprotein secretion due to decreased expression of genes encoding apolipoprotein B and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, (ii) an increase in hepatic cholesterol uptake due to increased expression of the major high-density lipoprotein receptor, scavenger receptor BI, and (iii) a decrease in bile acid uptake to the liver due to down-regulation of the major basolateral bile acid transporters sodium taurocholate cotransporter protein and organic anion transporter protein 1. These data indicate that HNF4α is central to the maintenance of hepatocyte differentiation and is a major in vivo regulator of genes involved in the control of lipid homeostasis.

scholarly journals Liver X receptor activation promotes macrophage-to-feces reverse cholesterol transport in a dyslipidemic hamster model

2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Briand ◽  
Morgan Tréguier ◽  
Agnès André ◽  
Didier Grillot ◽  
Marc Issandou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reverse Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Liver X Receptor ◽  
Cholesterol Transport ◽  
Hamster Model
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