Role of farnesoid X receptor in inflammation and resolution.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to review the developments of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) biology, its ligands, and various functions, in particular we discuss the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic role in chronic inflammatory diseases.


BACKGROUND
FXR is a ligand-dependent transcription factor belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. The accrued data have shown that the FXR plays important roles not only in bile acid, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate homeostasis, but also in inflammatory responses. The anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of FXR on chronic inflammatory diseases are not well documented.


METHODS
A literature survey was performed using PubMed database search to gather complete information regarding FXR and its role in inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
FXR is highly expressed in liver, intestine, kidney and adrenals, but with lower expression in fat tissue, heart and recently it has been found to express in lungs too. Primary bile acids, cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid are the natural endogenous ligands for FXR. GW4064 and 6α-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid are the synthetic high-affinity agonists. An exhaustive literature survey revealed that FXR acts as a key metabolic regulator and potential drug target for many metabolic syndromes that include chronic inflammatory diseases.
Department of Zoology, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, 516 003, AP, India.
Firdose Begum
FB
Shaik
Durbaka V R
DV
Prasad
Venkata Ramireddy
VR
Narala
D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000502:physiology*; D000099150:Receptor, Farnesoid X-Activated
D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D000099150:Receptor, Farnesoid X-Activated