The long-term objectives of this laboratory are to identify, localize, and estimate the lithogenic effects of pathophysiologically relevant gallstone (LITH) genes;understand at a fundamental level the genetic mechanisms of cholesterol gallstones;and explore the genotypes and phenotypes of LITH genes in mice and eventually in humans. Studies on both humans and mice have clearly demonstrated that a complex genetic basis determines the individual predisposition to develop cholesterol gallstones in response to environmental factors. A powerful genetic technique, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis can identify primary, usually rate- limiting genetic defects and discriminate them from secondary downstream pathophysiologic effects caused by mutations of the primary genes. We performed a QTL analysis in intercross progeny of gallstone-susceptible 129S3/SvlmJ mice and resistant AKR/J mice, and determined the subset of gallstone susceptibility genes possessed in the susceptible strain. Our molecular and genetic data from these mouse studies support the notion that dysfunctional cholecystokinin-1 receptor (CCK-1R) in the gallbladder plays a critical role in the formation of cholesterol gallstones in 129S3/SvlmJ mice challenged to a lithogenic diet. Furthermore, abnormalities in gallbladder emptying function in response to exogenously administered CCK-8 have been observed in patients with cholesterol gallstones, suggesting that altered structure and function of the gallbladder CCK-1R gene could be involved in the formation of cholesterol gallstones in humans. However, the identification of the lithogenic mechanisms of the mutated CCK-1R gene still remains a challenging task. This application will be focused on identifying the lithogenic effects of dysfunctional CCK-1R by systematically studying its pathophysiological functions in some """"""""manufactured"""""""" mouse strains such as CCK-1R congenic mice and CCK-1R knockout mice. Also, we will investigate pathophysiological effects of gallbladder stasis on cholesterol crystallization and gallstone formation, as well as gene therapy of gallbladder dysmotility in these mice. In this application, the applicant proposes to (i) elucidate whether the mutated CCK-1R results in gallbladder stasis due to a defect in receptor-G protein coupling;(ii) determine the alterations induced by gallbladder hypomotility that account for rapid cholesterol crystallization and gallstone formation in mice with the mutated CCK-1R;and (iii) explore whether lentivirus-mediated transfer of the mouse CCK-1R gene prevents cholesterol gallstone formation in mice with gallbladder hypomotility. Due to the close homology between human and mouse genomes, the identification of lithogenic effects of dysfunctional CCK-1R in mice may elucidate previously unknown but pathophysiologically relevant genetic determinants of cholesterol cholelithiasis in humans.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01DK073917-04
Application #
8018566
Study Section
Hepatobiliary Pathophysiology Study Section (HBPP)
Program Officer
Serrano, Jose
Project Start
2008-01-15
Project End
2012-12-31
Budget Start
2011-01-01
Budget End
2012-12-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$312,407
Indirect Cost
Name
Saint Louis University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
050220722
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63103
Wang, Helen H; Li, Xiaodan; Patel, Shailendra B et al. (2016) Evidence that the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette G5/G8-independent pathway plays a determinant role in cholesterol gallstone formation in mice. Hepatology 64:853-64
Wang, Helen H; Portincasa, Piero; Wang, David Q-H (2016) The cholecystokinin-1 receptor antagonist devazepide increases cholesterol cholelithogenesis in mice. Eur J Clin Invest 46:158-69
Wang, H H; Liu, M; Portincasa, P et al. (2016) Lack of endogenous cholecystokinin promotes cholelithogenesis in mice. Neurogastroenterol Motil 28:364-75
de Bari, Ornella; Wang, Tony Y; Liu, Min et al. (2015) Estrogen induces two distinct cholesterol crystallization pathways by activating ER? and GPR30 in female mice. J Lipid Res 56:1691-700
Shahid, Rafiq A; Wang, David Q-H; Fee, Brian E et al. (2015) Endogenous elevation of plasma cholecystokinin does not prevent gallstones. Eur J Clin Invest 45:237-46
de Bari, Ornella; Wang, Helen H; Portincasa, Piero et al. (2015) The deletion of the estrogen receptor ? gene reduces susceptibility to estrogen-induced cholesterol cholelithiasis in female mice. Biochim Biophys Acta 1852:2161-9
Bonfrate, Leonilde; Procino, Giuseppe; Wang, David Q-H et al. (2015) A novel therapeutic effect of statins on nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. J Cell Mol Med 19:265-82
Di Ciaula, Agostino; Wang, David Q-H; Garruti, Gabriella et al. (2014) Therapeutic reflections in cholesterol homeostasis and gallstone disease: a review. Curr Med Chem 21:1435-47
de Bari, Ornella; Wang, Helen H; Portincasa, Piero et al. (2014) Ezetimibe prevents the formation of oestrogen-induced cholesterol gallstones in mice. Eur J Clin Invest 44:1159-68
de Bari, Ornella; Wang, Tony Y; Liu, Min et al. (2014) Cholesterol cholelithiasis in pregnant women: pathogenesis, prevention and treatment. Ann Hepatol 13:728-45

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