Fibroblast growth factor 21 ameliorates cholestatic liver injury via a hepatic FGFR4-JNK pathway
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ABSTRACT: Cholestasis is characterized by hepatic accumulation of cytotoxic bile acids (BAs), which often subsequentlyleads to liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and ultimately liver cirrhosis. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a liver secreted hormone with pleiotropic effects on the homeostasis of glucose, lipid, and energy metabolism. However, whether hepatic FGF21 plays a role in cholestatic liver injury remains elusive. We found that serum and hepatic FGF21 levels were significantly increased in response to cholestatic liver injury. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Fgf21 exacerbated hepatic accumulation of BAs, further accentuating liver injury. Consistently, administration of rFGF21 ameliorated cholestatic liver injury in α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-treated and Mdr2 deficiency mice. Mechanically, FGF21 activated a hepatic FGFR4-JNK signaling pathway to decrease Cyp7a1 expression, thereby reducing hepatic BAs pool. Our study demonstrates that hepatic FGF21 functions as an adaptive stress-responsive signal to downregulate BA biosynthesis, thereby ameliorating cholestatic liver injury, and FGF21 analogs may represent a candidate therapy for cholestatic liver diseases.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE240733 | GEO | 2023/08/19
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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