Compensatory Role of P-Glycoproteins in Knockout Mice Lacking the Bile Salt Export Pump

Bile salt export pump (BSEP; ATP-binding cassette, subfamily B, member 11) mutations in humans result in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2, a fatal liver disease with greatly reduced bile flow. However in mice, Bsep knockout leads only to mild cholestasis with substantial bile flow and up-regulated P-glycoprotein genes (multidrug resistance protein 1a [Mdr1a] and Mdr1b). To determine whether P-glycoprotein is responsible for the relatively mild phenotype observed in Bsep knockout mice, we have crossed mouse strains knocked out for Bsep and the two P-glycoprotein genes and generated a triple knockout mouse. We found that a knockout of the three genes leads to a significantly more severe phenotype with impaired bile formation, jaundice, flaccid gallbladder, and increased mortality. The triple knockout mouse is the most severe genetic model of intrahepatic cholestasis yet developed. Conclusion: P-glycoprotein functions as a critical compensatory mechanism, which reduces the severity of cholestasis in Bsep knockout mice. (HEPATOLOGY 2009;50: 948-956.)