Background & aims: Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a master upstream protein kinase involved in nutrient sensing and glucose and lipid metabolism in many tissues; however, its metabolic role in intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory role of LKB1 on bile acid (BA) homeostasis.
Methods: We generated mice with IEC-specific deletion of LKB1 (LKB1ΔIEC) and analyzed the characteristics of IEC development and BA level. In vitro assays with small interfering RNA, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, metagenomics, and RNA-sequencing were used to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying perturbed BA homeostasis.
Results: LKB1 deletion resulted in abnormal differentiation of secretory cell lineages. Unexpectedly, BA pool size increased substantially in LKB1ΔIEC mice. A significant reduction of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) target genes, including fibroblast growth factor 15/19 (FGF15/19), known to inhibit BA synthesis, was found in the small intestine (SI) ileum of LKB1ΔIEC mice. We observed that LKB1 depletion reduced FGF15/19 protein level in human IECs in vitro. Additionally, a lower abundance of bile salt hydrolase-producing bacteria and elevated levels of FXR antagonist (ie, T-βMCA) were observed in the SI of LKB1ΔIEC mice. Moreover, LKB1ΔIEC mice showed impaired conversion of retinol to retinoic acids in the SI ileum. Subsequently, vitamin A treatment failed to induce FGF15 production. Thus, LKB1ΔIEC mice fed with a high-fat diet showed improved glucose tolerance and increased energy expenditure.
Conclusions: LKB1 in IECs manages BA homeostasis by controlling FGF15/19 production.
Keywords: Bile Salt Hydrolase; IEC; LKB1; Retinoic Acid; T-βMCA.
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