Penicillinase-resistant antibiotics induce non-immune-mediated cholestasis through HSP27 activation associated with PKC/P38 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways

Sci Rep. 2017 May 12;7(1):1815. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-01171-y.

Abstract

The penicillinase-resistant antibiotics (PRAs), especially the highly prescribed flucloxacillin, caused frequent liver injury via mechanisms that remain largely non-elucidated. We first showed that flucloxacillin, independently of cytotoxicity, could exhibit cholestatic effects in human hepatocytes in the absence of an immune reaction, that were typified by dilatation of bile canaliculi associated with impairment of the Rho-kinase signaling pathway and reduced bile acid efflux. Then, we analyzed the sequential molecular events involved in flucloxacillin-induced cholestasis. A crucial role of HSP27 by inhibiting Rho-kinase activity was demonstrated using siRNA and the specific inhibitor KRIBB3. HSP27 activation was dependent on the PKC/P38 pathway, and led downstream to activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Other PRAs induced similar cholestatic effects while non PRAs were ineffective. Our results demonstrate that PRAs can induce cholestatic features in human hepatocytes through HSP27 activation associated with PKC/P38 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and consequently support the conclusion that in clinic they can cause a non-immune-mediated cholestasis that is not restricted to patients possessing certain genetic determinants.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Cholestasis / etiology*
  • Cholestasis / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Hepatocytes / drug effects
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Models, Biological
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Stress, Physiological
  • beta-Lactamase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Cytokines
  • HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • beta-Lactamase Inhibitors
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • Protein Kinase C