OBJECTIVE: The farnesoid X receptor/bile acid receptor (FXR; NR1H4) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates bile acid and lipid homeostasis, and is highly expressed in enterohepatic tissue. FXR is also expressed in vascular tissue. We have investigated whether FXR regulates inflammation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: The FXR target gene, small heterodimer partner (SHP), was induced in vascular smooth muscle cells after treatment with synthetic FXR ligands, GW4064, or 6alpha-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid. FXR ligands induced smooth muscle cell death and downregulated interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. In addition, FXR ligands suppressed smooth muscle cell migration stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor-BB. Reporter gene assays showed that FXR ligands activated an FXR reporter gene and suppressed IL-1beta-induced nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and iNOS in a manner that required functional FXR and SHP. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that a FXR-SHP pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for vascular inflammation, remodeling, and atherosclerotic plaque stability.
OBJECTIVE: The farnesoid X receptor/bile acid receptor (FXR; NR1H4) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates bile acid and lipid homeostasis, and is highly expressed in enterohepatic tissue. FXR is also expressed in vascular tissue. We have investigated whether FXR regulates inflammation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: The FXR target gene, small heterodimer partner (SHP), was induced in vascular smooth muscle cells after treatment with synthetic FXR ligands, GW4064, or 6alpha-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid. FXR ligands induced smooth muscle cell death and downregulated interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. In addition, FXR ligands suppressed smooth muscle cell migration stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor-BB. Reporter gene assays showed that FXR ligands activated an FXR reporter gene and suppressed IL-1beta-induced nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and iNOS in a manner that required functional FXR and SHP. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that a FXR-SHP pathway may be a novel therapeutic target for vascular inflammation, remodeling, and atherosclerotic plaque stability.
Authors: Xiaoxin X Wang; Tao Jiang; Yan Shen; Luciano Adorini; Mark Pruzanski; Frank J Gonzalez; Pnina Scherzer; Linda Lewis; Shinobu Miyazaki-Anzai; Moshe Levi Journal: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol Date: 2009-09-23
Authors: Xiaoxin X Wang; Tao Jiang; Yan Shen; Yupanqui Caldas; Shinobu Miyazaki-Anzai; Hannah Santamaria; Cydney Urbanek; Nathaniel Solis; Pnina Scherzer; Linda Lewis; Frank J Gonzalez; Luciano Adorini; Mark Pruzanski; Jeffrey B Kopp; Jill W Verlander; Moshe Levi Journal: Diabetes Date: 2010-08-10 Impact factor: 9.461