Farnesoid X receptor activation prevents the development of vascular calcification in ApoE-/- mice with chronic kidney disease.
BACKGROUND
Vascular calcification is highly associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease. The nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) has been implicated in the control of lipid, carbohydrate and bile acid metabolism in several cell types. Although recent studies have shown that FXR is also expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, its physiological role in vasculature tissue remains obscure.


OBJECTIVE
Here, we have examined the role of FXR in vascular calcification.


RESULTS
The FXR gene, a bile acid nuclear receptor, was highly induced during osteogenic differentiation of bovine calcifying vascular cells (CVCs) and in the aorta of apolipoprotein (Apo)E(-/-) mice with chronic kidney disease which are common tissue culture and mouse model, respectively, for aortic calcification. FXR activation by a synthetic FXR agonist, 6alpha-ethyl chenodeoxycholic acid (INT-747) inhibited phosphate induced-mineralization and triglyceride accumulation in CVCs. FXR dominant negative expression augmented mineralization of CVCs and blocked the anticalcific effect of INT-747 whereas VP16FXR that is a constitutively active form reduced mineralization of CVCs. INT-747 treatment also increased phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). SP600125 (specific JNK inhibitor) significantly induced mineralization of CVCs and alkaline phosphatase expression, suggesting that the anticalcific effect of INT-747 is attributable to JNK activation. We also found that INT-747 ameliorates chronic kidney disease induced-vascular calcification in 5/6 nephrectomized ApoE(-/-) mice without affecting the development of atherosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations provide direct evidence that FXR is a key signaling component in regulation of vascular osteogenic differentiation and, thus representing a promising target for the treatment of vascular calcification.
Miyazaki-Anzai
Shinobu
S
Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado Denver, 12700 E 19th Ave, C281, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
Levi
Moshe
M
Kratzer
Adelheid
A
Ting
Tabitha C
TC
Lewis
Linda B
LB
Miyazaki
Makoto
M
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002417:Cattle; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000819:agonists / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000099150:Receptor, Farnesoid X-Activated
D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D002635:Chenodeoxycholic Acid; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014280:Triglycerides; D000099150:Receptor, Farnesoid X-Activated; C464660:obeticholic acid