Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) plays important regulatory roles in bile acid, lipoprotein, and glucose homeostasis. Here, we have utilized Fxr−/− mice and mice deficient in scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), together with an FXR-specific agonist and adenovirus expressing hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α or constitutively active FXR, to identify the mechanisms by which activation of FXR results in hypocholesterolemia. We identify a novel pathway linking FXR to changes in hepatic p-JNK, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α, and finally SR-BI. Importantly, we demonstrate that the FXR-dependent increase in SR-BI results in both hypocholesterolemia and an increase in reverse cholesterol transport, a process involving the transport of cholesterol from peripheral macrophages to the liver for excretion into the feces. In addition, we demonstrate that FXR activation also induces an SR-BI-independent increase in reverse cholesterol transport and reduces intestinal cholesterol absorption. Together, these data indicate that FXR is a promising therapeutic target for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and coronary heart disease.
This work was supported, in part, by National Institutes of Health Grants HL30568 and HL68445 (to P. A. E.). This work was also supported by American Heart Association Beginning Grant-in-aid 0565173Y (to Y. Z.), Scientist Development Grant 0830255N (to Y. Z.), and a grant from the Laubisch Fund (to Y. Z.).
