Bile acid signaling plays a critical role in control of liver metabolism and inflammation. Accumulation of toxic bile acids causes liver inflammation and contributes to pathogenesis of chronic non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes and obesity. The rate of bile acid synthesis is regulated by the first and rate- limiting enzyme, cholesterol 7?-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), whereas bile acid composition is regulated by sterol 12?-hydroxylase (CYP8B1) in cholic acid synthesis. Bile acids activate a nuclear receptor FXR and a G protein coupled receptor TGR5 to regulate lipid, glucose and energy metabolism. It has been proposed that FXR plays a key role in bile acid feedback inhibition of bile acid synthesis. The anti-inflammatory action of bile acids has been recognized recently. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of bile acid regulation of hepatic metabolic homeostasis and inflammation are not understood. Type 2 diabetes patients have higher serum 12?-hydroxylated bile acids, which is correlated to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.
Three specific aims are designed to test the hypothesis that FXR and TGR5 signaling regulate bile acid synthesis and composition, which affect hepatic inflammation, insulin resistance, NAFLD and obesity.
Specific aim 1 is to study the mechanisms of FXR and TGR5 signaling in bile acid metabolism. FXR-/-, TGR5-/- and FXR/TGR5 double knockout (DK) mice will be used to test the hypothesis that the FXR/TGR5/CYP8B1 pathway may play a role in regulation of bile acid synthesis and lipid metabolism.
Specific aim 2 is to study TGR5 and FXR signaling in anti-inflammation in hepatocytes. Activation of FXR and TGR5 signaling may affect macrophage polarization to reduce hepatic inflammation. TGR5-/-, FXR-/- and FXR/TGR5 DK mice will be used to study the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory action of FXR and TGR5.
Specific aim 3 is to study nutrient regulation of the diurnal rhythm and fasting/restricted feeding on bile acid synthesis in NAFLD, insulin resistance and obesity. Fasting and restricted feeding and high fat diet affect the circadian rhythm of bile acid synthesis and energy metabolism. Experiments are designed to study the role of CYP8B1 in dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and NAFLD. This study is highly significant in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of regulation of bile acid synthesis and lipid homeostasis, and pathogenesis of liver-related metabolic diseases. Results from this study will have potential for developing drug therapies to improve insulin sensitivity, liver inflammation, hepatic steatosis, diabetes and obesity.

Public Health Relevance

Bile acids play critical roles in regulation of lipid, glucose, and energy homeostasis, and disruption of bile acid signaling causes dyslipidemia, fatty liver diseases, diabetes, and obesity. This renewal application will study the role of CYP8B1, a key regulatory gene in cholic acid synthesis pathway, in dyslipidemia and diabetes using several novel mouse models. This study will accelerate our knowledge on pathogenesis of and therapeutics for treatment of liver diseases, diabetes and obesity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01DK044442-18
Application #
8758723
Study Section
Hepatobiliary Pathophysiology Study Section (HBPP)
Program Officer
Sherker, Averell H
Project Start
1997-09-30
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2014-07-01
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Northeast Ohio Medical University
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Rootstown
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
44272
Chiang, John Y L; Ferrell, Jessica M (2018) Bile Acid Metabolism in Liver Pathobiology. Gene Expr 18:71-87
Donepudi, Ajay C; Ferrell, Jessica M; Boehme, Shannon et al. (2018) Deficiency of cholesterol 7?-hydroxylase in bile acid synthesis exacerbates alcohol-induced liver injury in mice. Hepatol Commun 2:99-112
Pathak, Preeti; Xie, Cen; Nichols, Robert G et al. (2018) Intestine farnesoid X receptor agonist and the gut microbiota activate G-protein bile acid receptor-1 signaling to improve metabolism. Hepatology 68:1574-1588
Chiang, John Y L (2017) Linking Sex Differences in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Bile Acid Signaling, Gut Microbiota, and High Fat Diet. Am J Pathol 187:1658-1659
Chiang, John Y L (2017) Linking long noncoding RNA to control bile acid signaling and cholestatic liver fibrosis. Hepatology 66:1032-1035
Chiang, John Y L; Pathak, Preeti; Liu, Hailiang et al. (2017) Intestinal Farnesoid X Receptor and Takeda G Protein Couple Receptor 5 Signaling in Metabolic Regulation. Dig Dis 35:241-245
Chiang, John Y L (2017) Bile acid metabolism and signaling in liver disease and therapy. Liver Res 1:3-9
Pathak, Preeti; Liu, Hailiang; Boehme, Shannon et al. (2017) Farnesoid X receptor induces Takeda G-protein receptor 5 cross-talk to regulate bile acid synthesis and hepatic metabolism. J Biol Chem 292:11055-11069
Donepudi, Ajay C; Boehme, Shannon; Li, Feng et al. (2017) G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor plays a key role in bile acid metabolism and fasting-induced hepatic steatosis in mice. Hepatology 65:813-827
Chiang, John Y L (2017) Targeting bile acids and lipotoxicity for NASH treatment. Hepatol Commun 1:1002-1004

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