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Ablation of liver Fxr results in an increased colonic mucus barrier in mice
- Source :
- JHEP Reports, 3(5). Elsevier BV, JHEP reports : innovation in hepatology, 3(5):100344. Elsevier, JHEP Reports, Vol 3, Iss 5, Pp 100344-(2021), JHEP Reports
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Elsevier, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Background & Aims The interorgan crosstalk between the liver and the intestine has been the focus of intense research. Key in this crosstalk are bile acids, which are secreted from the liver into the intestine, interact with the microbiome, and upon absorption reach back to the liver. The bile acid-activated farnesoid X receptor (Fxr) is involved in the gut-to-liver axis. However, liver-to-gut communication and the roles of bile acids and Fxr remain elusive. Herein, we aim to get a better understanding of Fxr-mediated liver-to-gut communication, particularly in colon functioning. Methods Fxr floxed/floxed mice were crossed with cre-expressing mice to yield Fxr ablation in the intestine (Fxr-intKO), liver (Fxr-livKO), or total body (Fxr-totKO). The effects on colonic gene expression (RNA sequencing), the microbiome (16S sequencing), and mucus barrier function by ex vivo imaging were analysed. Results Despite relatively small changes in biliary bile acid concentration and composition, more genes were differentially expressed in the colons of Fxr-livKO mice than in those of Fxr-intKO and Fxr-totKO mice (3272, 731, and 1824, respectively). The colons of Fxr-livKO showed increased expression of antimicrobial genes, Toll-like receptors, inflammasome-related genes and genes belonging to the ‘Mucin-type O-glycan biosynthesis’ pathway. Fxr-livKO mice have a microbiome profile favourable for the protective capacity of the mucus barrier. The thickness of the inner sterile mucus layer was increased and colitis symptoms reduced in Fxr-livKO mice. Conclusions Targeting of FXR is at the forefront in the battle against metabolic diseases. We show that ablation of Fxr in the liver greatly impacts colonic gene expression and increased the colonic mucus barrier. Increasing the mucus barrier is of utmost importance to battle intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, and we show that this might be done by antagonising FXR in the liver. Lay summary This study shows that the communication of the liver to the intestine is crucial for intestinal health. Bile acids are key players in this liver-to-gut communication, and when Fxr, the master regulator of bile acid homoeostasis, is ablated in the liver, colonic gene expression is largely affected, and the protective capacity of the mucus barrier is increased.<br />Graphical abstract<br />Highlights • Fxr ablation in the mouse liver has a major impact on colonic gene expression. • Fxr signalling is induced in the colons of liver Fxr knockout (Fxr-livKO) mice. • In Fxr-livKO colons, expression of antimicrobial and mucus genes is increased. • Microbiome of Fxr-livKO mice is indicative of enhanced mucus barrier function. • Fxr-livKO mice have an increased mucus barrier.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
fpkm, fragments per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads
medicine.drug_class
Colon
HID, high-iron diamine
RC799-869
KEGG, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes
Liver-specific Fxr-KO mouse
Fxr-intKO, intestine-specific Fxr knockout
RT qPCR, real-time quantitative PCR
Liver–gut axis
Farnesoid X receptor
Internal medicine
GO, Gene Ontology
Gene expression
Internal Medicine
medicine
Immunology and Allergy
Mucus layer
DSS, dextran sodium sulfate
Fxr-livKO, liver-specific Fxr knockout
Microbiome
Colitis
Receptor
Barrier function
Gut microbiome
IBD, inflammatory bowel disease
Hepatology
Bile acid
Chemistry
BAs, bile acids
Fgfr4, fibroblast growth factor receptor 4
Gastroenterology
Diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology
medicine.disease
Fxr-totKO, whole body Fxr knockout
Mucus
Endocrinology
Fxr, farnesoid X receptor
Intestine-specific Fxr-KO mouse
FITC, fluorescein isothiocyanate
Liver-gut axis
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 25895559
- Volume :
- 3
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- JHEP reports : innovation in hepatology
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d72552e39408b54b1d6b3f7ac049c554