Deficiency of Capicua disrupts bile acid homeostasis

Sci Rep. 2015 Feb 5:5:8272. doi: 10.1038/srep08272.

Abstract

Capicua (CIC) has been implicated in pathogenesis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 and cancer in mammals; however, the in vivo physiological functions of CIC remain largely unknown. Here we show that Cic hypomorphic (Cic-L(-/-)) mice have impaired bile acid (BA) homeostasis associated with induction of proinflammatory cytokines. We discovered that several drug metabolism and BA transporter genes were down-regulated in Cic-L(-/-) liver, and that BA was increased in the liver and serum whereas bile was decreased within the gallbladder of Cic-L(-/-) mice. We also found that levels of proinflammatory cytokine genes were up-regulated in Cic-L(-/-) liver. Consistent with this finding, levels of hepatic transcriptional regulators, such as hepatic nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1α), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2), and retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα), were markedly decreased in Cic-L(-/-) mice. Moreover, induction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfα) expression and decrease in the levels of FOXA2, C/EBPβ, and RXRα were found in Cic-L(-/-) liver before BA was accumulated, suggesting that inflammation might be the cause for the cholestasis in Cic-L(-/-) mice. Our findings indicate that CIC is a critical regulator of BA homeostasis, and that its dysfunction might be associated with chronic liver disease and metabolic disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genotype
  • Homeostasis* / genetics
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phenotype
  • Repressor Proteins / deficiency*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Cic protein, mouse
  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Transcription Factors

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE60375