Nuclear receptor regulation of bile acid metabolism

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

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Abstract

? DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Cholestasis, retention of bile acids in the liver, is a leading cause for liver transplantation. Excess amounts of bile acids are cytotoxic and are therefore tightly regulated by nuclear receptors Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) and Small Heterodimer Partner (SHP). Bile acids are synthesized in the liver and secreted into the intestine for digesting dietary fat. This proposal aims to determine coordinate role of FXR and SHP in controlling bile acid levels in liver and in intestine using genetic mouse models. Successful completion of this project would result in identification of FXR and SHP driven transcriptional gene networks in these above-mentioned tissues. These pilot results will enable us to perform detailed analysis and provide mechanistic insights into the underpinnings of cholestasis.