A retinoic acid receptor β2 agonist attenuates transcriptome and metabolome changes underlying nonalcohol-associated fatty liver disease.

TitleA retinoic acid receptor β2 agonist attenuates transcriptome and metabolome changes underlying nonalcohol-associated fatty liver disease.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsTang X-H, Melis M, Lu C, Rappa A, Zhang T, Jessurun J, Gross SS, Gudas LJ
JournalJ Biol Chem
Volume297
Issue6
Pagination101331
Date Published2021 12
ISSN1083-351X
KeywordsAnimals, Benzoates, Liver, Male, Metabolome, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Receptors, Retinoic Acid, Thiazoles, Transcriptome
Abstract

Nonalcohol-associated fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive hepatic accumulation of fat that can progress to steatohepatitis, and currently, therapeutic options are limited. Using a high-fat diet (HFD) mouse model of NAFLD, we determined the effects of the synthetic retinoid, AC261066, a selective retinoic acid receptor β2 (RARβ2) agonist, on the global liver transcriptomes and metabolomes of mice with dietary-induced obesity (DIO) using genome-wide RNA-seq and untargeted metabolomics. We found that AC261066 limits mRNA increases in several presumptive NAFLD driver genes, including Pklr, Fasn, Thrsp, and Chchd6. Importantly, AC261066 limits the increases in the transcript and protein levels of KHK, a key enzyme for fructose metabolism, and causes multiple changes in liver metabolites involved in fructose metabolism. In addition, in cultured murine hepatocytes, where exposure to fructose and palmitate results in a profound increase in lipid accumulation, AC261066 limits this lipid accumulation. Importantly, we demonstrate that in a human hepatocyte cell line, RARβ is required for the inhibitory effects of AC261066 on palmitate-induced lipid accumulation. Finally, our data indicate that AC261066 inhibits molecular events underpinning fibrosis and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, changes in the transcriptome and metabolome indicate that AC261066 affects molecular changes underlying multiple aspects of NAFLD, including steatosis and fibrosis. Therefore, we suggest that AC261066 may have potential as an effective therapy for NAFLD.

DOI10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101331
Alternate JournalJ Biol Chem
PubMed ID34688661
PubMed Central IDPMC8626588
Grant ListR01 DK113088 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States