Downregulation of liver X receptor-alpha in mouse kidney and HK-2 proximal tubular cells by LPS and cytokines

Abstract

The acute-phase response (APR) suppresses type II nuclear hormone receptors and alters the expression of their target genes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver and heart. Therefore, we examined the expression of liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor (LXR/RXR) and their target genes in kidney from mice treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in human proximal tubular HK-2 cells treated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). We found that LXRalpha and RXRalpha expression was suppressed by LPS in kidney and by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha in HK-2 cells. The decrease in LXRalpha/RXRalpha expression was associated with a decrease in the expression of several LXRalpha target genes [apolipoprotein E (apoE), ABCA1, ABCG1, and sterol-regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c)] and a decrease in ligand-induced apoE expression. Moreover, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha significantly reduced liver X receptor response element (LXRE)-driven transcription as measured by LXRE-linked luciferase activity. However, overexpression of LXRalpha/RXRalpha only partially restored the cytokine-mediated reduction in LXRE-linked luciferase activity. Additionally, expression of the LXR coactivators peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC1alpha) and steroid receptor coactivator-2 (SRC-2) was decreased by IL-1beta or TNF-alpha. We conclude that the APR suppresses the expression of both nuclear receptors LXRalpha/RXRalpha and several LXRalpha coactivators in kidney, which could be a mechanism for coordinately regulating the expression of multiple LXR target genes that play important roles in lipid metabolism in kidney during the APR.