Background: Bile acids (BAs) are steroid molecules that are synthesized in the liver. In addition to their important role as a surfactant in solubilizing lipids and promoting the absorption of lipids in the gastrointestinal tract, they act as inflammagens. The role of BAs and their receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) during viral infection has not been studied in detail.

Methods: By using FXR-deficient mice, we investigated the role of bile acid receptor FXR during infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). The importance of FXR in inducing IFN-I and monocytes proliferation were investigated and viral titers and T cell exhaustion were analyzed at different time points.

Results: This study shows that controlled levels of BAs activate FXR in hepatocytes and FXR in response upregulates the production of type I interferon. In turn, FXR maintains BAs within a balanced range to inhibit their toxic effects. The absence of FXR results in high levels of BAs, which inhibit the proliferation of monocytes and result in a defect in viral elimination, consequently leading to T cell exhaustion.

Conclusion: We found that FXR contributes to IFN-I production in hepatocytes and balances BA levels to inhibit their toxic effects on monocytes.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000456168DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

farnesoid receptor
8
lymphocytic choriomeningitis
8
choriomeningitis virus
8
fxr
8
receptor fxr
8
levels bas
8
inhibit toxic
8
toxic effects
8
bas
5
receptor mice
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!