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Horn CL, Morales AL, Savard C, Farrell GC, Ioannou GN. Role of Cholesterol-Associated Steatohepatitis in the Development of NASH. Hepatol Commun 2021; 6:12-35. [PMID: 34558856 PMCID: PMC8710790 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and NAFLD-related cirrhosis in the United States and globally highlights the need to better understand the mechanisms causing progression of hepatic steatosis to fibrosing steatohepatitis and cirrhosis in a small proportion of patients with NAFLD. Accumulating evidence suggests that lipotoxicity mediated by hepatic free cholesterol (FC) overload is a mechanistic driver for necroinflammation and fibrosis, characteristic of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), in many animal models and also in some patients with NASH. Diet, lifestyle, obesity, key genetic polymorphisms, and hyperinsulinemia secondary to insulin resistance are pivotal drivers leading to aberrant cholesterol signaling, which leads to accumulation of FC within hepatocytes. FC overload in hepatocytes can lead to ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, development of toxic oxysterols, and cholesterol crystallization in lipid droplets, which in turn lead to hepatocyte apoptosis, necrosis, or pyroptosis. Activation of Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells by hepatocyte signaling and cholesterol loading contributes to this inflammation and leads to hepatic fibrosis. Cholesterol accumulation in hepatocytes can be readily prevented or reversed by statins. Observational studies suggest that use of statins in NASH not only decreases the substantially increased cardiovascular risk, but may ameliorate liver pathology. Conclusion: Hepatic FC loading may result in cholesterol-associated steatohepatitis and play an important role in the development and progression of NASH. Statins appear to provide significant benefit in preventing progression to NASH and NASH-cirrhosis. Randomized controlled trials are needed to demonstrate whether statins or statin/ezetimibe combination can effectively reverse steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis in patients with NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian L Horn
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Amilcar L Morales
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, San Antonio Military Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA
| | - Christopher Savard
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Geoffrey C Farrell
- Liver Research Group, ANU Medical School, Australian National University at the Canberra Hospital, Garran, ACT, Australia
| | - George N Ioannou
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
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2
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Slominski AT, Kim TK, Qayyum S, Song Y, Janjetovic Z, Oak ASW, Slominski RM, Raman C, Stefan J, Mier-Aguilar CA, Atigadda V, Crossman DK, Golub A, Bilokin Y, Tang EKY, Chen JY, Tuckey RC, Jetten AM, Song Y. Vitamin D and lumisterol derivatives can act on liver X receptors (LXRs). Sci Rep 2021; 11:8002. [PMID: 33850196 PMCID: PMC8044163 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87061-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The interactions of derivatives of lumisterol (L3) and vitamin D3 (D3) with liver X receptors (LXRs) were investigated. Molecular docking using crystal structures of the ligand binding domains (LBDs) of LXRα and β revealed high docking scores for L3 and D3 hydroxymetabolites, similar to those of the natural ligands, predicting good binding to the receptor. RNA sequencing of murine dermal fibroblasts stimulated with D3-hydroxyderivatives revealed LXR as the second nuclear receptor pathway for several D3-hydroxyderivatives, including 1,25(OH)2D3. This was validated by their induction of genes downstream of LXR. L3 and D3-derivatives activated an LXR-response element (LXRE)-driven reporter in CHO cells and human keratinocytes, and by enhanced expression of LXR target genes. L3 and D3 derivatives showed high affinity binding to the LBD of the LXRα and β in LanthaScreen TR-FRET LXRα and β coactivator assays. The majority of metabolites functioned as LXRα/β agonists; however, 1,20,25(OH)3D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, 1,20(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3 acted as inverse agonists of LXRα, but as agonists of LXRβ. Molecular dynamics simulations for the selected compounds, including 1,25(OH)2D3, 1,20(OH)2D3, 25(OH)D3, 20(OH)D3, 20(OH)L3 and 20,22(OH)2L3, showed different but overlapping interactions with LXRs. Identification of D3 and L3 derivatives as ligands for LXRs suggests a new mechanism of action for these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej T Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cancer Chemoprevention Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA.
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA.
| | - Tae-Kang Kim
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Shariq Qayyum
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Yuwei Song
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Zorica Janjetovic
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Allen S W Oak
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Radomir M Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Chander Raman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Joanna Stefan
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
- Department of Oncology, Nicolaus Copernicus University Medical College, Romanowskiej str. 2, 85-796, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Carlos A Mier-Aguilar
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Venkatram Atigadda
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1670 University Blvd, Rm 476, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - David K Crossman
- Department of Genetics, Genomics Core Facility, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | | | | | - Edith K Y Tang
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Jake Y Chen
- Informatics Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA
| | - Robert C Tuckey
- School of Molecular Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Anton M Jetten
- Cell Biology Section, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Yuhua Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Shelby 803, Birmingham, AL, 35249, USA.
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3
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Zhao L, Lei W, Deng C, Wu Z, Sun M, Jin Z, Song Y, Yang Z, Jiang S, Shen M, Yang Y. The roles of liver X receptor α in inflammation and inflammation-associated diseases. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:4807-4828. [PMID: 33305467 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Liver X receptor α (LXRα; also known as NR1H3), an isoform of LXRs, is a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors and plays essential roles in the transcriptional control of cholesterol homeostasis. Previous in-depth phenotypic analyses of mouse models with deficient LXRα have also demonstrated various physiological functions of this receptor within inflammatory responses. LXRα activation exerts a combination of metabolic and anti-inflammatory actions resulting in the modulation and the amelioration of inflammatory disorders. The tight "repercussions" between LXRα and inflammation, as well as cholesterol homeostasis, have suggested that LXRα could be pharmacologically targeted in pathologies such as atherosclerosis, acute lung injury, and Alzheimer's disease. This review gives an overview of the recent advances in understanding the roles of LXRα in inflammation and inflammation-associated diseases, which will help in the design of future experimental researches on the potential of LXRα and advance the investigation of LXRα as pharmacological inflammatory targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education Life of Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wangrui Lei
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education Life of Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chao Deng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education Life of Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Meng Sun
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Zhenxiao Jin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yanbin Song
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital, Yan'an University, China
| | - Zhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education Life of Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education Life of Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mingzhi Shen
- Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital, The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Sanya, Hainan, China.,Hainan Branch of National Clinical Reasearch Center of Geriatrics Disease, Sanya, Hainan, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education Life of Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
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Buñay J, Fouache A, Trousson A, de Joussineau C, Bouchareb E, Zhu Z, Kocer A, Morel L, Baron S, Lobaccaro JMA. Screening for liver X receptor modulators: Where are we and for what use? Br J Pharmacol 2020; 178:3277-3293. [PMID: 33080050 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver X receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily that are canonically activated by oxidized derivatives of cholesterol. Since the mid-90s, numerous groups have identified LXRs as endocrine receptors that are involved in the regulation of various physiological functions. As a result, when their expression is genetically modified in mice, phenotypic analyses reveal endocrine disorders ranging from infertility to diabetes and obesity, nervous system pathologies such Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, immunological disturbances, inflammatory response, and enhancement of tumour development. Based on such findings, it appears that LXRs could constitute good pharmacological targets to prevent and/or to treat these diseases. This review discusses the various aspects of LXR drug discovery, from the tools available for the screening of potential LXR modulators to the current situational analysis of the drugs in development. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Oxysterols, Lifelong Health and Therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.16/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Buñay
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Allan Fouache
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Amalia Trousson
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Cyrille de Joussineau
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Erwan Bouchareb
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Zhekun Zhu
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ayhan Kocer
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Laurent Morel
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Silvere Baron
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jean-Marc A Lobaccaro
- Université Clermont Auvergne, GReD, CNRS, INSERM, and Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine d'Auvergne Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Endo-Umeda K, Makishima M. Liver X Receptors Regulate Cholesterol Metabolism and Immunity in Hepatic Nonparenchymal Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20205045. [PMID: 31614590 PMCID: PMC6834202 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20205045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Excess dietary cholesterol intake and the dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism are associated with the pathogenesis and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and fibrosis. Hepatic accumulation of free cholesterol induces activation of nonparenchymal cells, including Kupffer cells, macrophages, and hepatic stellate cells, which leads to persistent inflammation and fibrosis. The nuclear receptors liver X receptor α (LXRα) and LXRβ act as negative regulators of cholesterol metabolism through the induction of hepatocyte cholesterol catabolism, excretion, and the reverse cholesterol transport pathway. Additionally, LXRs exert an anti-inflammatory effect in immune cell types, such as macrophages. LXR activation suppresses acute hepatic inflammation that is mediated by Kupffer cells/macrophages. Acute liver injury, diet-induced steatohepatitis, and fibrosis are exacerbated by significant hepatic cholesterol accumulation and inflammation in LXR-deficient mice. Therefore, LXRs regulate hepatic lipid metabolism and immunity and they are potential therapeutic targets in the treatment of hepatic inflammation that is associated with cholesterol accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Endo-Umeda
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan.
| | - Makoto Makishima
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi-kamicho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8610, Japan.
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Borges CC, Bringhenti I, Mandarim-de-Lacerda CA, Aguila MB. Vitamin D deficiency aggravates the liver metabolism and inflammation in ovariectomized mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 107:878-888. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.08.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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7
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Endo-Umeda K, Nakashima H, Umeda N, Seki S, Makishima M. Dysregulation of Kupffer Cells/Macrophages and Natural Killer T Cells in Steatohepatitis in LXRα Knockout Male Mice. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1419-1432. [PMID: 29409022 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Liver X receptor (LXR) α expression is mainly localized to metabolic tissues, such as the liver, whereas LXRβ is ubiquitously expressed. LXRα is activated by oxysterols and plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in metabolic tissues. In macrophages, LXRs stimulate reverse cholesterol transport and regulate immune responses. Although a high-cholesterol diet induces severe steatohepatitis in LXRα-knockout (KO) mice, the underlying mechanisms linking lipid metabolism and immune responses remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of LXRα in the pathogenesis of steatohepatitis by assessing the effects of a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFCD) on hepatic immune cell proportion and function as well as lipid metabolism in wild-type (WT) and LXRα-KO mice. HFCD feeding induced severe steatohepatitis in LXRα-KO mice compared with WT mice. These mice had higher cholesterol levels in the plasma and the liver and dysregulated expression of LXR target and proinflammatory genes in both whole liver samples and isolated hepatic mononuclear cells. Flow cytometry showed an increase in CD68+CD11b+ Kupffer cells/macrophages and a decrease in invariant natural killer T cells in the liver of HFCD-fed LXRα-KO mice. These mice were more susceptible to lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury and resistant to inflammatory responses against α-galactosylceramide or concanavalin-A treatment. The findings provide evidence for activation of bone marrow-derived Kupffer cells/macrophages and dysfunction of invariant natural killer T cells in LXRα-KO mouse liver. These findings indicate that LXRα regulates hepatic immune function along with lipid metabolism and protects against the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Endo-Umeda
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nakashima
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Naoki Umeda
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuhji Seki
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan
| | - Makoto Makishima
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nihon University School of Medicine, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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