Induction of avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma proteins by toxic bile acid inhibits expression of glutathione synthetic enzymes and contributes to cholestatic liver injury in mice.
We previously showed that hepatic expression of glutathione (GSH) synthetic enzymes and GSH levels fell 2 weeks after bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice. This correlated with a switch in nuclear anti-oxidant response element (ARE) binding activity from nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) to c-avian musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (c-Maf)/V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog G (MafG). Our current aims were to examine whether the switch in ARE binding activity from Nrf2 to Mafs is responsible for decreased expression of GSH synthetic enzymes and the outcome of blocking this switch. Huh7 cells treated with lithocholic acid (LCA) exhibited a similar pattern of change in GSH synthetic enzyme expression as BDL mice. Nuclear protein levels of Nrf2 fell at 20 hours after LCA treatment, whereas c-Maf and MafG remained persistently induced. These changes translated to ARE nuclear binding activity. Knockdown of c-Maf or MafG individually blunted the LCA-induced decrease in Nrf2 ARE binding and increased ARE-dependent promoter activity, whereas combined knockdown was more effective. Knockdown of c-Maf or MafG individually increased the expression of GSH synthetic enzymes and raised GSH levels, and combined knockdown exerted an additive effect. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) prevented the LCA-induced decrease in expression of GSH synthetic enzymes and promoter activity and prevented the increase in MafG and c-Maf levels. In vivo knockdown of the Maf genes protected against the decrease in GSH enzyme expression, GSH level, and liver injury after BDL.


CONCLUSIONS
Toxic bile acid induces a switch from Nrf2 to c-Maf/MafG ARE nuclear binding, which leads to decreased expression of GSH synthetic enzymes and GSH levels and contributes to liver injury during BDL. UDCA and SAMe treatment targets this switch.
Division of Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, USC Research Center for Liver Diseases, Southern California Research Center for Alcoholic Liver and Pancreatic Diseases and Cirrhosis, Keck School of Medicine USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Heping
H
Yang
Kwangsuk
K
Ko
Meng
M
Xia
Tony W H
TW
Li
Pilsoo
P
Oh
Jiaping
J
Li
Shelly C
SC
Lu
D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology*; D005721:Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase / Q000235:genetics; D005978:Glutathione / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D008095:Lithocholic Acid / Q000633:toxicity*; D051259:MafG Transcription Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D050985:MafK Transcription Factor / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D020218:Response Elements / Q000502:physiology; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D051259:MafG Transcription Factor; D050985:MafK Transcription Factor; C491247:Mafg protein, mouse; C494696:Mafk protein, mouse; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; C495636:Nfe2l2 protein, mouse; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D008095:Lithocholic Acid; D014580:Ursodeoxycholic Acid; D012436:S-Adenosylmethionine; D005721:Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase; D005978:Glutathione