Research Article Details
Article ID: | A04044 |
PMID: | 33777700 |
Source: | Toxicol Rep |
Title: | Polychlorinated biphenyls altered gut microbiome in CAR and PXR knockout mice exhibiting toxicant-associated steatohepatitis. |
Abstract: | Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Previously, we demonstrated that the PCB mixture, Aroclor1260, exacerbated NAFLD, reflective of toxicant-associated steatohepatitis, in diet-induced obese mice, in part through pregnane-xenobiotic receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) activation. Recent studies have also reported PCB-induced changes in the gut microbiome that consequently impact NAFLD. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine PCB effects on the gut-liver axis and characterize the role of CAR and PXR in microbiome alterations. C57Bl/6 (wildtype, WT), CAR and PXR knockout mice were fed a high fat diet and exposed to Aroclor1260 (20 mg/kg, oral gavage, 12 weeks). Metagenomics analysis of cecal samples revealed that CAR and/or PXR ablation increased bacterial alpha diversity regardless of exposure status. CAR and PXR ablation also increased bacterial composition (beta diversity) versus WT; Aroclor1260 altered beta diversity only in WT and CAR knockouts. Distinct changes in bacterial abundance at different taxonomic levels were observed between WT and knockout groups; however Aroclor1260 had modest effects on bacterial abundance within each genotype. Notably, both knockout groups displayed increased Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia abundance. In spite of improved bacterial diversity, the knockout groups however failed to show protection from PCB-induced hepato- and intestinal- toxicity including decreased mRNA levels of ileal permeability markers (occludin, claudin3). In summary, CAR and PXR ablation significantly altered gut microbiome in diet-induced obesity while Aroclor1260 compromised intestinal integrity in knockout mice, implicating interactions between PCBs and CAR, PXR on the gut-liver axis. |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.03.010 |

Strategy ID | Therapy Strategy | Synonyms | Therapy Targets | Therapy Drugs | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
S05 | Anti-inflammatory | inflammatory | Bile acid; TNF-a inhibitor; Dual PPAR-α and -δ agonists; Toll-Like Receptor; (TLR)-4 antagonist; Caspase inhibitor; ASK-1 inhibitor | Ursodeoxycholic Acid; Pentoxifylline; Elafibranor; JKB-121; Emricasan; Selonsertib; | Details |
Target ID | Target Name | GENE | Action | Class | UniProtKB ID | Entry Name | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T08 | Tumor necrosis factor | TNF | inhibitor | Cytokine | P01375 | TNFA_HUMAN | Details |
T10 | Caspase-1 | CASP1 | inhibitor | Enzyme | P29466 | CASP1_HUMAN | Details |
T03 | Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha | PPARA | agonist | Nuclear hormone receptor | Q07869 | PPARA_HUMAN | Details |
T20 | Fatty acid synthase | FASN | inhibitor | Enzyme | P49327 | FAS_HUMAN | Details |
Diseases ID | DO ID | Disease Name | Definition | Class | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
I11 | 5295 | Intestinal disease | A gastrointestinal system disease that is located_in the intestine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_gastrointestinal_tract | disease of anatomical entity/gastrointestinal system disease | Details |
I14 | 9970 | Obesity | An overnutrition that is characterized by excess body fat, traditionally defined as an elevated ratio of weight to height (specifically 30 kilograms per meter squared), has_material_basis_in a multifactorial etiology related to excess nutrition intake, decreased caloric utilization, and genetic susceptibility, and possibly medications and certain disorders of metabolism, endocrine function, and mental illness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity | disease of metabolism/acquired metabolic disease/ nutrition disease/overnutrition | Details |
Drug ID | Drug Name | Type | DrugBank ID | Targets | Category | Latest Progress | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D579 | Emfilermin | Miscellany | -- | adipocytes | Enhance lipid metabolism | Under investigation | Details |
D328 | Serine | Chemical drug | DB00133 | SRR | Improve insulin resistance | Under clinical trials | Details |
D010 | Amoxicillin | Chemical drug | DB01060 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D080 | Citrulline | Chemical drug | DB00155 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D083 | CLA | Chemical drug | DB01211 | KCNH2; SLCO1B1; SLCO1B3 | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |
D248 | Obeticholic Acid | Chemical drug | DB05990 | NR1H4 activator; NR1H4 agonist; FXR agonist | Enhance lipid metabolism | Approval rejected | Details |
D316 | S-adenosyl-L-methionine | Chemical drug | DB00118 | GNMT cofactor | Antiviral | Under clinical trials | Details |
D094 | Cysteamine | Chemical drug | DB00847 | GSS stimulant | Renal drug | Under clinical trials | Details |
D095 | Cysteamine bitartrate | Chemical drug | DB00847 | -- | -- | Under clinical trials | Details |