Autores:
Uriarte, Iker; Fernandez-Barrena, M. G.; Monte, M. J.; et al.
Revista:
GUT
ISSN:
0017-5749
Año:
2013
Vol.:
62
N°:
6
Págs.:
899 - 910
Objective Cholestasis is associated with increased liver injury and morbidity after partial hepatectomy (PH), yet bile acids (BAs) are emerging as important mediators of liver regeneration. Fibroblast growth factor 15 (Fgf15, human FGF19) is a BA-induced ileum-derived enterokine that governs BA metabolism. We evaluated the relevance of Fgf15 in the preservation of BA homeostasis after PH and its potential role in the regenerative process.
Design Liver regeneration after PH was studied in Fgf15(-/-) and Fgf15(+/+) mice. The effects of the BA sequestrant cholestyramine and adenovirally delivered Fgf15 were examined in this model. The role of Fgf15 in BA-induced liver growth was tested in Fgf15-/- mice upon cholic acid (CA) feeding. The direct mitogenic effect of Fgf15 was evaluated in cultured mouse hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.
Results Fgf15(-/-) mice showed marked liver injury and mortality after PH accompanied by persistently elevated intrahepatic BA levels. Cholestyramine feeding and adenovirally delivered Fgf15 reduced BA levels and significantly prevented this lethal outcome. Fgf15 also reduced mortality after extensive hepatectomy in Fgf15(+/+) animals. Liver growth elicited by CA feeding was significantly diminished in Fgf15(-/-) mice. Proliferation of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes was also noticeably reduced in CA-fed Fgf15(-/-) mice. Fgf15 induced intracellular signalling and proliferation of cultured hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.
Conclusions Fgf15 is necessary to maintain BA homeostasis and prevent liver injury during liver regeneration. Moreover, Fgf15 is an essential mediator of the liver growth-promoting effects of BA. Preoperative administration of this enterokine to patients undergoing liver resection might be useful to reduce damage and foster regeneration.
Revista:
JOURNAL OF HEPATOLOGY
ISSN:
0168-8278
Año:
2012
Vol.:
56
N°:
2
Págs.:
367 - 373
Background & Aims Bile acids (BA) are increasingly recognized as important modulators of liver regeneration. Increased enterohepatic BA flux has been proposed to generate specific signals that activate hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy (PH). We have investigated the role of the BA membrane transporter Mrp3 (Abcc3), which is expressed in the liver and gut, in the hepatic growth response elicited by BA and in liver regeneration after PH.
Methods Liver growth and regeneration, and the expression of growth-related genes, were studied in Mrp3+/+ and Mrp3¿/¿ mice fed a cholic acid (CA) supplemented diet and after 2/3 PH. Activation of the BA receptor FXR was measured in mice after in vivo transduction of the liver with a FXR-Luciferase reporter plasmid. BA levels were measured in portal serum and liver tissue by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Results Liver growth elicited by CA feeding was significantly reduced in Mrp3¿/¿ mice. These animals showed reduced FXR activation in the liver after CA administration and decreased portal serum levels of BA. Liver regeneration after PH was significantly delayed in Mrp3-deficient mice. Proliferation-related gene expression and peak DNA synthesis in Mrp3¿/¿ mice occurred later than in wild types, coinciding with a retarded elevation in intra-hepatic BA levels.
Conclusions Lack of Abcc3 expression markedly impairs liver growth in response to BA and after PH. Our data suggest that Mrp3 plays a non-redundant role in the regulation of BA flux during liver regeneration.