Insulin Downregulates the Expression of ATP-binding Cassette Transporter A-I in Human Hepatoma Cell Line HepG2 in a FOXO1 and LXR Dependent Manner

ATP-binding cassette transporter A-I (ABCA1) is an ubiquitously expressed protein whose main function is the transmembrane transport of cholesterol and phospholipids. Synthesis of ABCA1 protein in liver is necessary for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) formation in mammals. Thus, the mechanism of ABCA1 gene expression regulation in hepatocytes are of critical importance. Recently, we have found the insulin-dependent downregulation of other key player in the HDL formation-apolipoprotein A-I gene (J. Cell. Biochem., 2017, 118:382-396). Nothing is known about the role of insulin in the regulation of ABCA1 gene. Here we show for the first time that insulin decreases the mRNA and protein levels of ABCA1 in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. PI3K, p38, MEK1/2, JNK and mTORC1 signaling pathways are involved in the insulin-mediated downregulation of human ABCA1 gene. Transcription factors LXRα, LXRβ, FOXO1 and NF-κB are important contributors to this process, while FOXA2 does not regulate ABCA1 gene expression. Insulin causes the decrease in FOXO1, LXRα and LXRβ binding to ABCA1 promoter, which is likely the cause of the decrease in the gene expression. Interestingly, the murine ABCA1 gene seems to be not regulated by insulin in hepatocytes (in vitro and in vivo). We suggest that the reason for this discrepancy is the difference in the 5'-regulatory regions of human and murine ABCA1 genes.

Adiponectin Stimulates Apolipoprotein A-1 Gene Expression in HepG2 Cells via AMPK, PPARα, and LXRs Signaling Mechanisms

Adiponectin is an adipose tissue hormone, participating in energy metabolism and involved in atherogenesis. Previously, it was found that adiponectin increases expression of the APOA1 (apolipoprotein A-1) gene in hepatocytes, but the mechanisms of this effect remained unexplored. Our aim was to investigate the role of adiponectin receptors AdipoR1/R2, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and liver X receptors (LXRs) in mediating the action of adiponectin on hepatic APOA1 expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The level of APOA1 expression was determined by RT-qPCR and ELISA. We showed that the siRNA-mediated knockdown of genes coding for AdipoR1, AdipoR2, AMPK, PPARα, and LXRα and β prevented adiponectin-induced APOA1 expression in HepG2 cells and demonstrated that interaction of PPARα and LXRs with the APOA1 gene hepatic enhancer is important for the adiponectin-dependent APOA1 transcription. The results of this study point out to the involvement of both types of adiponectin receptors, AMPK, PPARα, and LXRs in the adiponectin-dependent upregulation of the APOA1 expression.

FOXO1 and LXRα downregulate the apolipoprotein A-I gene expression during hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells

Reactive oxygen species damage various cell components including DNA, proteins, and lipids, and these impairments could be a reason for severe human diseases including atherosclerosis. Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), an important metabolic transcription factor, upregulates antioxidant and proapoptotic genes during oxidative stress. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) forms high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles that are responsible for cholesterol transfer from peripheral tissues to liver for removal in bile in vertebrates. The main sources for plasma ApoA-I in mammals are liver and jejunum. Hepatic apoA-I transcription depends on a multitude of metabolic transcription factors. We demonstrate that ApoA-I synthesis and secretion are decreased during H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human hepatoma cell line HepG2. Here, we first show that FOXO1 binds to site B of apoA-I hepatic enhancer and downregulates apoA-I gene activity in HepG2 cells. Moreover, FOXO1 and LXRα transcription factors participate in H2O2-triggered downregulation of apoA-I gene together with Src, JNK, p38, and AMPK kinase cascades. Mutations of sites B or C as well as the administration of siRNAs against FOXO1 or LXRα to HepG2 cells abolished the hydrogen peroxide-mediated suppression of apoA-I gene.

Insulin-Mediated Downregulation of Apolipoprotein A-I Gene in Human Hepatoma Cell Line HepG2: The Role of Interaction Between FOXO1 and LXRβ Transcription Factors

Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is a key component of high density lipoproteins which possess anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Insulin is a crucial mediator of the glucose and lipid metabolism that has been implicated in atherosclerotic and inflammatory processes. Important mediators of insulin signaling such as Liver X Receptors (LXRs) and Forkhead Box A2 (FOXA2) are known to regulate apoA-I expression in liver. Forkhead Box O1 (FOXO1) is a well-known target of insulin signaling and a key mediator of oxidative stress response. Low doses of insulin were shown to activate apoA-I expression in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. However, the detailed mechanisms for these processes are still unknown. We studied the possible involvement of FOXO1, FOXA2, LXRα, and LXRβ transcription factors in the insulin-mediated regulation of apoA-I expression. Treatment of HepG2 cells with high doses of insulin (48 h, 100 nM) suppresses apoA-I gene expression. siRNAs against FOXO1, FOXA2, LXRβ, or LXRα abrogated this effect. FOXO1 forms a complex with LXRβ and insulin treatment impairs FOXO1/LXRβ complex binding to hepatic enhancer and triggers its nuclear export. Insulin as well as LXR ligand TO901317 enhance the interaction between FOXA2, LXRα, and hepatic enhancer. These data suggest that high doses of insulin downregulate apoA-I gene expression in HepG2 cells through redistribution of FOXO1/LXRβ complex, FOXA2, and LXRα on hepatic enhancer of apoA-I gene. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 382-396, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hepatic nuclear factor 4α positively regulates complement C3 expression and does not interfere with TNFα-mediated stimulation of C3 expression in HepG2 cells

Complement C3 is involved in various protective and regulatory mechanisms of immune system. Recently it was established that C3 expression is regulated by nuclear receptors. Hepatic nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) is a nuclear receptor critical for hepatic development and metabolism. We have shown that HNF4α is a positive regulator of C3 gene expression, realizing its effects through binding to two HNF4-response elements within the C3 promoter in HepG2 cells. TNFα is a well established positive regulator of C3 expression in hepatocytes during acute phase of inflammation. TNFα decreases the amount of HNF4α protein in HepG2 cells through NF-κB and MEK1/2 pathways thereby leading to a decrease in HNF4α bound to the C3 promoter. TNFα and HNF4α act in a synergetic way resulting in the potent activation of C3 transcription. These results suggest a novel mechanism of C3 regulation during acute phase response in HepG2 cells and display the mechanism of interaction of TNFα-induced pathways and HNF4α in transcriptional regulation of C3 gene.