Compensatory Induction of Liver Efflux Transporters in Response to ANIT-Induced Liver Injury Is Impaired in FXR-Null Mice

Alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) is a hepatotoxicant that produces acute intrahepatic cholestasis in rodents. Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) are two major bile acid sensors in liver. The purpose of this study was to characterize the regulation of hepatic transporters by FXR and PXR during ANIT-induced liver injury. Wild-type, FXR-null, and PXR-null mice were administered ANIT (75 mg/kg, po) and evaluated 48 h later for hepatotoxicity and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of basolateral uptake (sodium taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide, organic anion transporting polypeptide [Oatp] 1a1, Oatp1a4, Oatp1b2) and efflux transporters (organic solute transporter [Ost] alpha, Ost beta, multidrug resistance-associated protein [Mrp] 3, Mrp4), as well as canalicular transporters (bile salt export pump [Bsep], Mrp2, multidrug resistance protein 2 [Mdr2], ATPase, class I, type 8B, member 1 [Atp8b1]). Livers from wild-type and PXR-null mice had comparable multifocal necrosis 48 h after ANIT. However, ANIT-treated FXR-null mice have fewer and smaller necrotic foci than wild-type mice but had scattered single-cell hepatocyte necrosis throughout the liver. Serum alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and direct bilirubin were increased in all genotypes, with higher ALP levels in FXR-null mice. Serum and liver unconjugated bile acids were higher in ANIT-treated FXR-null mice than the other two genotypes. ANIT induced mRNA expression of Mdr2, Bsep, and Atp8b1 in wild-type and PXR-null mice but failed to upregulate these genes in FXR-null mice. mRNA expression of uptake transporters declined in livers of all genotypes following ANIT treatment. ANIT increased Ost beta and Mrp3 mRNA in livers of wild-type and PXR-null mice but did not alter Ost beta mRNA in FXR-null mice. In conclusion, FXR deficiency enhances susceptibility of mice to ANIT-induced liver injury, likely a result of impaired induction of hepatobiliary efflux transporters and subsequent hepatic accumulation of unconjugated bile acids.