Hepatocellular transport proteins and their role in liver disease

Abstract

Key Words: ABC transporters/genetics, ABC transporters/physiology, carrier proteins/physiology, carrier proteins/genetics, liver diseases/metabolisms

MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY OF HEPATOCELLULAR TRANSPORT PROTEINS

Basolateral transport systems

Na⁺-dependent bile salt uptake Uptake of bile salts into the liver was first characterized in experimental models such as the isolated perfused rat liver[1], isolated hepatocyte cultures and basolateral plasma membrane vesicles[2-4]. These studies indicated that more than 80% of taurocholate uptake but less than 50% of cholate uptake into hepatocytes is sodium-dependent[5-11]. Whereas unconjugated bile salts are uncharged molecules that can traverse membranes by passive nonionic diffusion, conjugation with glycine or taurine decreases their pKa values and necessitates the presence of a specific carrier protein for hepatocellular uptake[12].

The chief uptake system for conjugated bile salts in mammalian liver was isolated by expression and molecular cloning strategies and has been called the Na⁺-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (gene symbol: SLC10A1)[13-16]. Rat Ntcp consists of 362 amino acids with an apparent molecular mass of 51 kD[17,18] and is expressed exclusively at the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes (Figure 1)[17]. Ntcp mediates sodium-dependent uptake of taurocholate and other bile salts when expressed in stably transfected COS-7, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and hepatoblastoma (HepG2) cells or in cRNA injected Xenopus laevis oocytes, with apparent Km values between 17-42 μmol/L[10,13,17,19,20]. The only non-bile salt substrates that are transported by Ntcp are selected sulfated steroid conjugates such as estrone-3-sulfate[21] and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) [20]. In human liver, NTCP represents a 349-amino acid protein[14]. NTCP is structurally related to the intestinal bile salt transporter (IBAT), that also mediates the Na⁺-dependent uptake of bile salts[22]and that is expressed not only in ileum, but also in the kidney[23] and in cholangiocytes[24].

Figure 1 Hepatocellular transport proteins involved in bile salt, drug and organic substrate clearance by human liver. Abbreviations: NTCP, Na⁺-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide; OATPs, organic anion transporting polypeptides; OCTs, organic cation transporters; OATs, organic anion transporters; ATP7B, Wilson ATPase; TGN, trans-Golgi network; MRP, multidrug resistance protein; MDR, multidrug resistance gene product; BSEP, bile salt export pump; BS, bile salts; OA, organic anions; GS, glutathione.

Na⁺-dependent taurocholate uptake is reduced in experimental models of cholestasis such as bile duct ligation[25], endotoxinemia[26,27] and partial hepatectomy[28], is reduced in primary hepatocyte cultures[29] and is absent in various hepatoma cell lines [30,31]. These changes in hepatic Na⁺ dependent bile salt uptake correlate with expression levels of Ntcp. Thus, Ntcp mRNA and protein levels are decreased in bile duct ligation[25,32], endotoxinemia[26,33] and ethinyl estradiol induced cholestasis[34]. In patients with a diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary atresia and clinical evidence of cholestasis, NTCP mRNA levels are also decreased[35].

Na⁺-independent hepatic uptake of amphipathic substrates: the organic anion transporting polypeptide family (OATP) Whereas uptake of conjugated bile salts into the liver is largely a Na⁺-dependent process mediated by Ntcp, numerous other endogenous and xenobiotic compounds including non-bile salt organic anions and drugs are cleared from sinusoidal blood by carrier-mediated uptake into hepatocytes. Following hepatocellular uptake, many of these compounds are biotransformed in two phases. Phase I is mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes and prepares the drug for conjugation by creating polar groups. Phase II conjugates drugs with a glucuronate, sulfate, glycine or methyl group and represents a detoxification step. The conjugates can then be excreted into bile or urine.

Na⁺-independent hepatocellular uptake of bile salts and non-bile salt amphipathic compounds cannot be attributed to the function of a single transport protein, but is mediated by a family of transport proteins called the “organic anion transporting polypeptides” (Oatps) (Figure 1). In rat hepatocytes, at least three members of the Oatp family have been identified, called Oatp1 (Slc21a1)[36], Oatp2 (Slc21a5)[37] and Oatp4 (Slc21a10)[38]. Oatp1 is a 670 amino acid protein with an apparent molecular mass of 80 kDa that is localized at the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes[39-41] and at the apical membranes of kidney proximal tubular cells[39] and choroid plexus epithelial cells[42,43]. Many of the functional characteristics of Oatp1 indicate that it could represent the “multispecific bile acid transporter” identified in previous experimental models[3,44]. Thus, studies in numerous heterologous expression systems have shown that Oatp1 mediates the hepatocellular uptake of bile salts, bromosulphophthalein (BSP), conjugated steroids, thyroid hormones, leukotriene C₄, bilirubin monoglucuronide, ouabain, ochratoxin A, the anionic magnetic resonance imnaging agent gadoxetate (Gd-EOB-DTPA), the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors enalapril and temocaprilat, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor pravastatin, and even oligopeptides including the thrombin inhibitor CRC-220, the endothelin antagonist BQ - 123 and the opioid receptor agonists [D-penicillamine-2,5] enkephalin (DPDPE) and deltorphin II (for detailed review of the substrate specificities of Oatps/OATPs see reference[45]). The driving force for Oatp mediated substrate transport is not fully understood, although it has been shown that Oatp1 can mediate bidirectional transport of BSP[46] and anion exchange of taurocholate/HCO₃^-[47]. An important driving force for organic anion uptake via Oatp1 appears to be countertransport of reduced glutathione[48].

Oatp2 is a 661 amino acid protein with an apparent molecular mass of 92 kD at the basolateral plasma membrane of hepatocytes[41]. Oatp2 has also been detected in the retina[49], in endothelial cells of the blood brain barrier[43] and at the basolateral plasma membrane of choroid plexus epithelial cells[43]. Oatp2 is a close homologue of Oatp1 and transports bile salts, the cardiac glycosides ouabain and digoxin, and cyclic peptides[37,41]. An important difference between Oatp1 and Oatp2 is their acinar localization in the liver . Whereas Oatp1 is distributed homogeneously within the liver acinus [41,50], Oatp2 exhibits a heterogeneous lobular distribution with predominant expression in perivenous hepatocytes excluding the innermost 1-2 cell layers surrounding the central vein[41,51]. Interestingly, treatment of rats with phenobarbital, a known inducer of microsomal drug metabolizing P450 enzymes[52] and of hepatocellular ouabain, digoxin and thyroxine uptake[53-57], resulted in a significant increase in Oatp2 expression and in the appearance of positive immunofluorescence signals even in the innermost layer of perivenous hepatocytes[58].

Oatp4 (Slc21a10) can also mediate Na⁺-independent uptake of bile salts in rat hepatocytes and represents a full-length isoform of the so-called “liver-specific transporter 1” or rlst-1[38,59]. Oatp4 transports numerous organic anions including taurocholate, BSP, conjugated steroids, prostaglandin E-2, leukotriene C₄, the thyroid hormones T₃ and T₄, and gadoxetate[38]. Oatp4 is 43% and 44% identical on the amino acid level with Oatp1 and Oatp2, respectively.

In human liver, at least four OATPs have been identified to date, called OATP-A (SLC21A3), OATP-B (SLC21A9), OATP-C (SLC21A6) and OATP8 (SLC21A8). OATP-C (also called OATP2 and LST-1)[60-62] and OATP8[63] are exclusively expressed at the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes and exhibit 80% mutual identity. The closest homologue expressed in rat liver is Oatp4, which is 64% and 66% identical with OATP-C and OATP8, respectively. Accordingly, the substrate specificities of human OATP-C and OATP8 and rat Oatp4 are very comparable [38,64]. Transport substrates of OATP-C include taurocholate (Km-14-34 µM)[60,61], bilirubin monoglucuronide, DHEAS, estradiol-17β-glucuronide (Km-8 µM)[62], estrone-3-sulfate, prostaglandin E₂, thromboxane B ₂, leukotriene C₄, leukotriene E₄, T₃ (Km-3 µM), T₄ (Km-3 µM)[60], pravastatin (Km-35 µM)[61] and BSP (Km-0.3 µM)[64]. OATP8 exhibits a closely overlapping substrate specificity compared with OATP-C but additionally transports the cardiac glycoside digoxin (similar to rat Oatp2) and is particularly efficient in transporting the oligopeptides BQ-123 (endothelin receptor antagonist), DPDPE (opioid receptor agonist) and cholecystokinin (Km-11 µM)[64,65].

OATP-B (SLC21A9) is also strongly expressed in human liver, with additional expression in spleen, placenta, lung, kidney, heart, ovary, small intestine and brain[64]. OATP-B is a 709 amino acid protein with an apparent molecular mass of 85 kDa that is localized at the basolateral plasma membrane of hepatocytes[64]. Compared to OATP-C and OATP8, OATP-B exhibits a limited substrate specificity for the organic anions BSP (Km-0.7 µM), estrone-3-sulfate (Km-6 µM) and DHEAS.

The fourth OATP known to be expressed in hepatocytes, albeit at relatively low levels, is OATP-A (SLC21A3)[66].Although OATP-A was originally isolated from human liver, it is predominantly expressed in human cerebral endothelial cells[67]. OATP-A is a 670 amino acid protein that transports bile salts, BSP (Km-20 µM), estrone-3-sulfate (Km-59 µM)[68], DHEAS (Km-6.6 µM)[69], the magnetic resonance imaging agent Gd-B 20790[70], the opioid receptor agonists DPDPE (Km-202 µM) and deltorphin II (Km-330 µM)[67], the antihistamine fexofenadine[71], and the amphipathic organic cations APD-ajmalinium, rocuronium, N-methyl-quinine (Km-5 µM) and N-methyl-quinidine (Km-26 µM)[72]. Thus, in contrast to the preference of OATP-B, OATP-C and OATP8 for organic anions, OATP-A additionally transports amphipathic organic cations indicating that it can mediate substrate uptake into hepatocytes charge independently. Overall, the Oatp/OATP family of transporters plays a central role in hepatocellular organic anion and drug clearance.

Na⁺-independent hepatic uptake of hydrophilic organic anions and organic cations: the organic ion transporter family (OAT/OCT) In addition to NTCP and OATPs, the basolateral hepatocyte membrane possesses a third family of transport proteins mediating substrate uptake, called the organic anion transporter (OAT) family[73]. This family comprises the OAT, the organic cation transporter (OCT)[74,75] and the organic cation transporter novel type (OCTN)/carnitine transporter families[73]. Whereas Oat1 is expressed only in rat kidney[76,77], Oat2 is expressed exclusively [78] and Oat3 predominantly[79] in rat liver. In human liver, only OAT2 (SLC22A7) has been isolated (Figure. 1). Oat2 mediates sodium-independent transport of α-ketoglutarate and salicylates, whereas Oat3 transports para-aminohippurate (PAH), estrone-3-sulfate, and the cationic compound cimetidine.

The first organic cation transporter, called OCT1, was cloned from rat kidney[80] and is expressed at the basolateral membrane of hepatocytes, small intestinal enterocytes and cells of the renal proximal tubule S1 segment[74]. In man, hOCT1 (SLC22A1) is expressed specifically in the liver (Figure 1) and mediates the hepatic clearance of small type I cations such as tetraethylammonium, N-methylnicotinamide, dopamine and choline[81,82]. No studies investigating the role of the OAT/OCT/ OCTN transporter family in human liver disease have been performed to date.

Basolateral efflux pumps The basolateral membrane also possesses several members of the multidrug resistance protein family (MRPs) belonging to the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters (Figure 1). MRP1 (ABCC1) mediates the ATP-dependent efflux of glutathione S-conjugates[83], leukotriene C₄, steroid conjugates such as estradiol-17β-D-glucuronide and glucuronidated or sulfated bile salt conjugates[84]. MRP1 is normally expressed at very low levels in hepatocytes, but expression levels are increased in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells and SV40 large T antigen-immortalized human hepatocytes[85]. MRP3 (ABCC3) is expressed at the basolateral hepatocyte membrane[86] and mediates basolateral efflux of the organic anions estradiol-17β-D-glucuronide and S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glutathione, the anticancer drugs methotrexate and etoposide [87,88] and even of monovalent bile salts[89]. MRP5 (ABCC5) appears to be an anion transporter, however its expression level in the adult liver is very low[90]. MRP6 (ABCC6) is localized at the lateral membrane of hepatocytes and transports the cyclic pentapeptide and endothelin antagonist BQ-123[91-93]. Interestingly, mutations in the MRP6 gene have been shown to be the cause of pseudoxanthoma elasticum[94].

Canalicular transport systems

Bile salt excretion Canalicular excretion represents the rate-limiting step in the overall secretion of bile salts from blood into bile. Whereas bile salt concentrations within the hepatocyte are in the micromolar range, canalicular bile salt concentrations are more than 1000fold higher, necessitating active transport across the canalicular hepatocyte membrane. Characterization of ATP-dependent taurocholate transport in canalicular membrane vesicles indicated the presence of a specific carrier system for monovalent bile salts[95,96], with an apparent Km for ATP-dependent taurocholate transport of-2-20 µM[95-98].

The chief transport system that mediates the canalicular excretion of monovalent bile salts is the so-called “bile salt export pump” or Bsep (ABCB11), first cloned from pig[99] and subsequently from rat[100] and mouse liver[101,102]. Rat Bsep is a 1321 amino acid protein with 12 putative membrane-spanning domains, four potential -N-linked glycosylation sites, a molecular mass of-160 kDa and with the structural features of the ABC-transporter superfamily[100]. The amino acid sequence is more homologous with the MDR family of transporters (-50%) than with MRPs. In membrane vesicles from transfected Sf9 insect cells, rat Bsep transports taurocholate with a Km of-5 µM which is comparable to ATP-dependent transport in canalicular rat liver plasma membrane vesicles[100]. Bsep is expressed on the surface of canalicular microvilli as indicated by electron microscopic studies. In addition to taurocholate, rat Bsep also mediates ATP-dependent transport of glycocholate, taurochenodeoxycholate (Km-2 µM) and tauroursodeoxycholate (Km-4 µM).

The locus of the mouse Bsep gene on chromosome 2, band 2C1.3[101], corresponds to the locus of human BSEP on chromosome 2q24[103]. This region has been linked to the Lith1 gene near D2Mit56 that confers genetic gallstone-susceptibility in the C57L/J mouse strain[104-106]. These mice overexpress Bsep[107] and exhibit relative hypersecretion of cholesterol into bile with subsequent cholesterol supersaturation[108]. The exact significance of overexpression of Bsep in these mice is unclear, since it has been shown that functional ATP-dependent taurocholate transport activity in canalicular membrane vesicles is approximately 3fold lower compared to AKR/J gallstone-resistant mice, despite 3fold higher protein levels[109]. The functional decrease in canalicular bile salt excretion could be the cause of increased gallstone susceptibility in C57L/J mice.

The human BSEP gene locus has been identified as the positional candidate for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2), a progressive liver disease characterized by low biliary bile salt concentrations[103]. In PFIC2, BSEP is absent from the canalicular membrane and biliary bile salt concentrations are less than 1% of normal[110].

Excretion of non-bile salt organic anions The excretion of non-bile salt organic anions into bile is mediated by the canalicular multidrug resistance protein 2, MRP2[111]. MRP2 (ABCC2) has a molecular mass of 190 kD and the human protein exhibits 46% amino acid identity to human MRP1. Both rat and human MRP2 are expressed predominantly in the liver with exclusive localization in the canalicular membrane (Figure 1)[112-115]. The spectrum of organic anions transported by MRP2 is qualitatively similar to that of MRP1[84] and includes glutathione conjugates, glucuronides, leukotriene C₄ and divalent bile salts, but not monovalent bile salts[114,116]. A role for MRP2 in the canalicular excretion of reduced glutathione (GSH), a major driving force for the maintenance of bile salt-independent bile flow, has also been demonstrated[117]. Various structurally and functionally unrelated xenobiotics such as probenecid, glibenclamide, rifampicin, vinblastine, indomethacin and cyclosporin A were shown to inhibit excretion of the anionic fluorescent dye carboxy-2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein (CF) by primary human hepatocytes, thus suggesting that organic anion excretion by human liver may be impaired by various drugs[118]. Mutations in the MRP2 gene that lead to the synthesis of a truncated, non-functional protein, have been identified as the pathogenetic basis of hereditary chronic conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, discussed further below.

Phospholipid excretion The major lipid that is cosecreted into bile with cholesterol is phosphatidylcholine(PC). Theconstant replenishment of PC molecules from the inner to the outer hemileaflet of the canalicular membrane is mediated by the concerted action of ATP-dependent[119] and ATP-independent[120-122] PC “flippases”. The ATP-dependent flippase has been identified as a class III multidrug resistance (MDR) P-glycoprotein, Mdr2 in mice and MDR3 in humans (ABCB4) (Figure 1)[123-125], a 170 kD canalicular protein. Mouse Mdr2 and human MDR3 are present in high concentrations in the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes. Mice lacking this protein are unable to secrete phosphatidylcholine (PC) into bile[123]. Conversely, in fibroblasts from transgenic mice expressing the human MDR3 gene under a vimentin promoter, the transfer of radiolabeled PC from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane is stimulated [124]. In addition, expression of mouse Mdr2 in secretory vesicles from the yeast mutant sec6-4, results in a time-and temperature-dependent enhancement of PC translocation to the inner leaflet of the membrane[126]. These data indicate that both mouse Mdr2 and human MDR3 function as physiological phospholipid translocators.

Copper excretion The liver is the central organ of copper homeostasis with a great capacity to store and excrete this metal. The degree of biliary copper excretion is directly proportional to the size of the hepatic copper pool, indicating that hepatocytes can sense the copper status in the cytoplasm and regulate copper excretion into bile accordingly[127]. The biliary excretion of heavy metals such as copper is an important detoxifying mechanism of the liver. Copper excretion is mediated by a copper transporting P-type ATPase called ATP7B that is expressed predominantly in the liver[128-130] (Figure 1). This 160 kD protein is localized to the trans-Golgi network[131] where it mediates the incorporation of copper into cuproenzymes such as ceruloplasmin. A truncated 140 kD isoform of ATP7B is localized to mitochondria[132], possibly explaining the abnormalities of mitochondrial morphology in Wilson’s disease. Immunohistochemical studies in human liver indicate additional weak staining of ATP7B at the canalicular membrane[133]. A green fluorescent GFP-ATP7B fusion construct transfected into human hepatoma Huh7 cells localizes neither to the trans-Golgi network nor to the canalicular membrane, but to so-called late endosomes[134]. Copper incorporated into late endosomes is probably transported to lysosomes and subsequently excreted into bile by a process known as biliary lysosomal excretion[134].

Copper is presumably taken up into human hepatocytes via the copper transporters hCTR1 and hCTR2[135]. As the copper concentration of the hepatocyte increases, ATP7B redistributes from the trans-Golgi network to a cytoplasmic vesicular compartment[131] and to pericanalicular vacuoles[136] (Figure 1). After copper depletion, ATP7B returns to the trans-Golgi network. Thus copper can induce trafficking of its own transporter from the trans-Golgi network to the apical membrane, where it may mediate biliary copper excretion. Copper-induced redistribution of ATP7B may provide a mechanism to preserve copper when it is scarce and to prevent copper toxicity when levels become too high.

ROLE OF HEPATOCELLULAR TRANSPORTERS IN LIVER DISEASE

Hereditary defects of hepatocellular transporters

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) describes a group of autosomal-recessive disorders. The onset is usually during the first months of life, with severe and progressive intrahepatic cholestasis, proceeding to cirrhosis by the second decade. Diagnosis is based on the following criteria: ① progressive intrahepatic cholestasis and liver cell failure, after the exclusion of other causes of liver disease; ② lack of bile duct pathology (intrahepatic and extrahepatic); ③ a normal number of interlobular bile ducts[137]. Other signs and symptoms include pruritus, jaundice, hepatomegaly, wheezing and nosebleeds, cough, fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, cholelithiasis, short stature and delayed sexual development[138].

Three types of PFIC have been described[139] (Table 1). PFIC type 1 (PFIC1, Byler’s disease) is caused by a mutation in the coding sequence of the FIC1 gene (ATP8B1, chromosome 18q 21-22)[140], that is expressed predominantly in liver and small intestine. The FIC1 gene product is a P-type ATP-ase putatively involved in the transport of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine from the outer to the inner leaflet of plasma cellular membranes[141]. Patients with a defective FIC1 protein encounter bouts of jaundice that later become permanent, severe pruritus, chronic watery diarrhea, high serum bile salts, but normal γ-GT and cholesterol levels in serum. Histologically, cholestasis is found with progression to cirrhosis, but without ductular proliferation.

Table 1 Role of hepatocellular transport proteins in the pathogenesis of liver disease.

Species	Transport protein	Gene symbol	Physiologic function	Alteration in liver disease
Basolateral transport proteins
Rat/human	Ntcp/NTCP	SLC10A1	Na+ dependent bile salt uptake	Decreased Ntcp expression in rat models of cholestasis[25,26,34]
				Decreased NTCP expression in human cholestatic liver disease[35]
Rat	Oatp1	Slc21a1	Multispecific uptake of organic anions	Decreased Oatp1 expression in bile duct ligation[32] and in ethinyl
			and amphipathic compounds	estradiol induced cholestasis[34]
	Oatp2	Slc21a5	Multispecific uptake of organic anions	Not yet investigated
			and of cardiac glycosides (digoxin)
	Oatp4	Slc21a10	Multispecific uptake of organic anions	Decreased Oatp4 expression in bile duct ligation and sepsis[59]
			and amphipathic compounds
Human	OATP-A	SLC21A3	Multispecific uptake of organic anions	Increased mRNA levels in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC)[180]
			and amphipathic compounds
	OATP-B	SLC21A9	Multispecific uptake of organic anions	Not yet investigated
			and amphipathic compounds
	OATP-C	SLC21A6	Multispecific uptake of organic anions	Decreased mRNA levels in primary sclerosing cholangitis[181]
			and amphipathic compounds	Not yet investigated
	OATP8	SLC21A8	Multispecific uptake of organic anions
			and amphipathic compounds
Rat/human	rOCT1/hOCT1	SLC22A1	Uptake of small hydrophilic organic	Not yet investigated
			cations (TEA, MPP, choline, dopamine)
Rat	OAT2	SLC22A7	Uptake of glutarate, salicylates,	Not yet investigated
			methotrexate, PGE2 and PAH
Rat	OAT3	SLC22A8	Uptake of PAH, estrone-3-sulfate,	Not yet investigated
			ochratoxin A, cimetidine
Rat/human	Mrp1/MRP1	ABCC1	Efflux of cytotoxic cations and	Increased expression in hepatoma cells[85] and sepsis[182]
			non-bile salt organic anions
Rat/human	Mrp3/MRP3	ABCC3	Efflux of organic anions, bile salts	Increased Mrp3 expression in Eisai Hyperbilirubinemic Rats and
			and anticancer agents	in bile duct ligation[91]
				Increased MRP3 expression in Dubin-Johnson syndrome and
			primary biliary cirrhosis[86]
Rat/human	Mrp6/MRP6	ABCC6	Efflux of BQ-123	Not yet investigated
Canalicular Transport Proteins
Mouse/rat/mBsep/Bsep/BSEP		ABCB11	Canalicular efflux of bile salts	Mutations in the BSEP gene and absence of the protein in patients
Human				with PFIC2, characterized by low γ -GT levels and reduced biliary
				bile acid excretion[103,110]
				Cis-inhibition by cholestatic drugs such as cyclosporine A[172]
				Trans-inhibition by the cholestatic estrogen metabolite estradiol-
				17β− D-glucuronide[172,175]
				Increased mBsep expression in C57L/J gallstone-susceptible
				mice, despite reduced bile salt excretory capacity[107,109]
Mouse/rat/	Mdr2/Mdr2/MDR3	ABCB4	Biliary excretion of phospholipids	Mdr2-/- knockout mice exhibit an absence of phospholipids in bile
				and develop progressive liver disease with portal inflammation,
				bile duct proliferation and fibrosis[123]
				PFIC3, characterized by high γ -GT levels and absent lipoprotein
				X in serum, is caused by mutations in the MDR3 gene
				(chromosome 7q21)[143]
				MDR3 mutations in PFIC3 are associated with intrahepatic
				cholestasis of pregnancy[171]
Rat/human	Mrp2/MRP2	ABCC2	Canalicular excretion of organic anions	Decreased Mrp2 mRNA and protein levels in bile duct ligation and
				endotoxinemia[154,183]
				Decreased canalicular density of Mrp2 transporter molecules in
				endotoxinemia[183], taurolithocholate cholestasis[184]
				and bile duct ligation[154]
				Mutations in the rat Mrp2 gene cause hereditary conjugated
				hyperbilirubinemia[112]
				Mutations in the human MRP2 gene cause the Dubin-Johnson
				syndrome with absent protein expression[147,149]
				MRP2 function is inhibited by anabolic 17á-alkylated
				steroids[185,186]
				Decreased MRP2 mRNA but unchanged protein levels in PBC[187]
				Decreased MRP2 mRNA levels in PSC[181]
Human	FIC1	ATP8B1	Putative aminophospholipid	P-type ATPase, positional candidate in genetic linkage analysis of
			translocator	PFIC1 (Byler’s disease) and BRIC[141]
Human	AE2	SLC4A2	Canalicular Cl-/HCO3- exchange	DecreasedAE2 expression on the luminal surface of cholangiocytes in
				PBC (increased expression secondary to UDCA treatment)[188]

Abbreviations: Ntcp/NTCP, rat/human Na⁺-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide; Oatp/OATP, rat/human organic anion transporting polypeptide; rOCT1/hOCT1, rat/human organic cation transporter 1; OAT, organic anion transporter; Mrp/MRP, rat/ human multidrug resistance protein; mBsep/Bsep/BSEP, mouse/rat/human bile salt export pump; Mdr/MDR, rodent/human multidrug resistance gene product; FIC1, familial intrahepatic cholestasis protein; AE2, anion exchanger 2; PSC, primary sclerosing cholangitis; PFIC, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis; PBC, primary biliary cirrhosis; BRIC, benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis; UDCA, ursodeoxycholic acid.

PFIC type 2 (PFIC2, Byler syndrome) is caused by mutations in the BSEP gene (located on chromosome 2q24)[142] that lead to an absence of the bile salt export pump from the canalicular hepatocyte membrane[110]. Defective canalicular bile salt excretion results in an accumulation of bile salts within the hepatocyte and toxic damage. PFIC2 resembles PFIC1 clinically, biochemically and histologically, although the initial presentation is more severe with permanent jaundice from onset, and liver failure occurs more rapidly.

PFIC type 3 (PFIC3) is caused by homozygous mutations in the MDR3 gene[143], that lead to an absence of the phospholipid export pump MDR3 from the canalicular membrane and to an absence of the major biliary phospholipid, phosphat-idylcholine, from bile. This results in toxic bile salt induced injury of the biliary epithelium. PFIC3 is characterized by elevated serum γ -GT levels, ductular proliferation, and an inflammatory infiltrate in the early stages which progresses to biliary cirrhosis[143,144]. Mice with a homozygous disruption of the Mdr2 gene (which corresponds to MDR3 in man) represent an animal model of PFIC3 [123]. Overall, the analogy between the murine knockout model and human cholestatic liver disease indicates that the nonsuppurative cholangitis observed in Mdr2/MDR3 deficiency is caused by the high luminal concentration of free bile salts that are not sequestered in mixed micelles in the absence of phospholipids.

The appearance of lipoprotein X in the plasma of cholestatic mice has been attributed to the function of Mdr2. Bile duct ligation in control mice induced a dramatic increase in plasma cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations, mainly as lipoprotein X[145]. In bile duct ligated Mdr2-/-mice, cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations were also increased but plasma fractionation revealed a complete absence of lipoprotein X. Plasma levels of cholesterol and phospholipid during cholestasis correlated very closely with the expression level of Mdr2, indicating first that the shift of hepatocellular lipid secretion from bile to plasma during cholestasis depends upon the formation of lipoprotein X, and second that the concentration of lipoprotein X is modulated by the activity of Mdr2. Thus, the elevation of serum cholesterol that is a common feature of cholestasis in man, could also be dependent upon the function of MDR3.

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is also caused by a mutation in the FIC1 gene (ATP8B1) (Table 1). It is characterized by recurrent bouts of cholestasis in the adult, with symptom-free intervals lasting from months to several years. Unlike PFIC1, BRIC is not associated with progressive liver damage. Serum bile salt concentrations are elevated as the earliest markers of cholestasis. FIC1 is also expressed in the small intestine, where it appears to play a role in intestinal bile salt absorption. It is of interest that in non-symptomatic BRIC patients, fecal loss of bile salts due to intestinal malabsorption is increased[146].

Dubin-Johnson syndrome The Dubin-Johnson syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder that is caused by impaired biliary excretion of certain cholephilic organic anions such conjugated bilirubin (Table 1). It is characterized by conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, increased urinary excretion of coproporphyrin I, deposits of a black pigment in centrolobular hepatocytes, and prolonged BSP retention[147]. In contrast to PFIC, hepatic function is preserved. The syndrome is produced by the absence of MRP2 protein from the canalicular hepatocyte membrane[148] due to mutations of the MRP2 gene (ABCC2)[111,147,149]. Recently, the MRP2 Delta(R,M) mutation, which describes the deletion of Arg1392 and Met1393, was shown to cause disturbed maturation and trafficking of the protein from the ER to the Golgi complex and impaired sorting of this glycoprotein to the apical membrane[150]. Absent MRP2 function may be compensated for by increased expression of MRP3 at the basolateral hepatocyte membrane, as suggested by immunofluorescence studies on liver sections from a Dubin-Johnson patient[86].

Wilson’s disease Wilson’s disease is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by copper accumulation in the liver, brain, kidney and cornea secondary to inadequate biliary copper excretion. Under physiologic circumstances, biliary excretion represents the sole mechanism for copper excretion, and thus affected individuals have progressive copper accumulation in the liver. When the capacity for hepatic storage is exceeded, cell death ensues with copper release into the plasma, hemolysis, and tissue deposition[127]. The age at onset ranges from 3 to 40 years, with highly variable clinical manifestations. Hepatic dysfunction is the most common initial presentation in childhood, progressing from mild elevation of serum transaminases in asymptomatic individuals to chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis. In some cases, severe chronic liver disease or fulminant hepatic failure may be the initial manifestations. The laboratory diagnosis of Wilson’s disease is confirmed by decreased serum ceruloplasmin, increased urinary copper content, and elevated hepatic copper concentration.

Wilson’s disease results from the absence or dysfunction of the ATP7B gene product, a copper transporting P-type ATPase encoded on chromosome 13. Molecular genetic analysis is complex, as more than 100 unique mutations have been identified and most individuals are compound heterozygotes. A database of Wilson’s disease mutations can be retrieved online at http://www.medgen.med.ualberta.ca. Of these mutations, the H1069Q mutation accounts for more than 40% of the alleles in affected Northern European patients, whereas the A778L mutation is observed in 30% of alleles of Oriental patients[127]. Expression of the H1069Q mutant in a copper transporter-deficient cell line reveals that this mutation causes a defect in protein folding that results in mislocalization to the ER and rapid degradation[151]. The histidine residue at amino acid position 1069 appears to be essential for trafficking from the trans Golgi network in response to copper[151] (Figure 1).

Acquired defects of hepatocellular transporters

Extrahepatic cholestasis Extrahepatic cholestasis is produced by an obstruction of the hepatic or common bile duct secondary to cholelithiasis, neoplasms, or sclerosing cholangitis. A major risk factor for hepatocellular injury during bile duct obstruction is the increased intracellular concentration of potentially toxic bile salts[152]. This can be partly counteracted by the decrease in Ntcp expression that occurs in bile duct ligated rats[25,32]. The human NTCP mRNA is also downregulated in cholestasis, as evidenced in 23 patients with a diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary atresia[35]. At the canalicular pole, the expression of the bile salt export pump, Bsep, is reduced to 50% of controls on the protein and to 32% on the RNA level[153]. Bsep expression is thus preserved relatively well compared to the marked decrease in expression of the canalicular multispecific organic anion transporter Mrp2[154]. The relative preservation of Bsep expression during bile duct ligation serves to maintain the canalicular efflux of bile salts that has been demonstrated experimentally[155].

The molecular basis of reduced Ntcp expression in cholestasis has not been resolved. The Ntcp gene promoter appears to contain a response element for the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a nuclear receptor that is responsive to bile salts[156-159]. This is suggested by recent studies in FXR knockout mice, which are unable to decrease Ntcp mRNA levels in response to bile acid feeding[160]. Since intracellular bile salt levels are elevated in bile duct ligation, decreased Ntcp expression is probably caused by suppression of Ntcp transcription via a cascade involving FXR. In the case of cholesterol 7á-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol catabolism to bile salts, repression of gene transcription by bile salts has been extensively studied (for review, see reference[161]). Elevated intracellular bile salts activate FXR. This decreases levels of Ntcp and increases those of Bsep[160]. FXR also induces expression of the “short heterodimer partner” SHP, a nuclear receptor that suppresses bile acid synthesis by antagonizing the function of “liver receptor homolog-1” or LRH-1, an orphan receptor required for expression of CYP7A1[161]. Decreased expression of rat Oatp1 in bile duct ligation may also be mediated by FXR, since in FXR knockout mice bile acid feeding induces expression of (mouse) Oatp1[160]. These elaborate autoregulatory cascades ultimately serve to maintain hepatic cholesterol catabolism, and coordinate regulation of bile acid transporters and synthesizing enzymes is likely.

Sepsis-associated cholestasis Septic patients frequently exhibit cholestasis, the primary clinical manifestation of which is hyperbilirubinemia. In animal models of sepsis, reduced hepatic clearance of bile acids and organic anions is found[27,33,162]. The key mediators of sepsis induced cholestasis are inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α ) and interleukin-1β . These are liberated in response to endotoxemic stimuli, which can be induced experimentally by application of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Both Na⁺ dependent basolateral and ATP-dependent canalicular bile salt transport is reduced in hepatocyte plasma membrane vesicles isolated from LPS treated rats[27,33]. Direct administration of either LPS, TNF-α or interleukin-1β causes a decrease in Ntcp mRNA levels[26]. The decrease in Ntcp expression can be explained by decreased binding activity of ① the nuclear transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF1) and ② a heterodimeric complex consisting of the retinoic acid receptor (RARα ) and the retinoid x receptor (RXRα), to the Ntcp gene promoter[163,164]. In the case of the human NTCP, dependence of gene transcriptional activity upon the CCAAT/ enhancer binding protein, the α form of which is reduced in sepsis[165], has been shown[166].

The reduction in bile flow that follows LPS administration is caused primarily by an 86% decrease in GSH secretion and a 25% decrease in HCO₃^- secretion [167], two major driving forces of bile salt independent bile flow. GSH is a substrate of Mrp2[117], the mRNA and protein levels of which are also reduced following treatment of rats with LPS[154]. The mechanism of decreased Mrp2 expression appears to be similar to Ntcp, since reduced binding of the RXRα: RARα complex to the rat Mrp2 promoter secondary to IL-1β has been shown[164].

Cholestasis of pregnancy Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) has a high prevalence in Sweden and Chile and is characterized by pruritus and biochemical cholestasis. It is the clinical correlate of estrogen induced cholestasis. The familial clustering, the higher prevalence among relatives of patients with ICP and the susceptibility to oral contraceptive-induced cholestasis in families with a history of ICP implicates genetic factors in the pathogenesis[168-170]. Mutations of the MDR3 gene in women with PFIC type 3 seem to predispose to ICP, although not all women with the mutation develop cholestasis[143,171].

The susceptibility to ethinyl estradiol in patients with a history of ICP suggests a role for estrogen metabolites in the pathogenesis. The cholestatic estrogen metabolite estradiol-17β -D-glucuronide (E-217G) has been shown to inhibit Bsep transport function[172]. E-217G, which is an Mrp2 substrate[173], probably trans-inhibits Bsep function from within the canalicular lumen, since Mrp2-deficient rat strains that are unable to secrete E-217G into the bile canaliculus do not develop cholestasis[174]. A recent study has confirmed that intact Mrp2 function is a prerequisite for the development of Es₂17G induced cholestasis [175]. The possible role of as yet unidentified genetic polymorphisms of the BSEP gene in the development of estrogen-induced cholestasis is currently under investigation.

Drug-induced cholestasis The liver is the major site of drug metabolism and elimination from the human body. The importance of drugs as hepatotoxins lies not in the overall number of cases, which is relatively small, but in the severity of some reactions and in their potential reversibility provided the drug etiology is promptly recognized. The most common causative agents include NSAIDs, antibiotics, newer antihypertensive agents, H₂-receptor blockers and psychotropic drugs. Drug induced hepatotoxicity can be divided into the three categories cholestatic, hepatocellular or mixed type injury, depending upon serum biochemistry. Cholestasis with hepatitis is seen with many drugs, notably chlorpromazine, psychotropic agents, erythromycins, clavulanic acid and NSAIDs. Pure cholestasis without hepatitis is observed most frequently with estrogens, oral contraceptive steroids and 17α -alkylated androgenic steroids and less frequently with cyclosporine A, tamoxifen, griseofulvin, glibenclamide and others. Steroid jaundice caused by methyltestosterone and other C17-alkylated anabolic steroids is dose-related but is also dependent upon the individual susceptibility of the recipient. Whereas hepatic dysfunction is seen in most recipients of steroids, jaundice in seen in only few. A minor degree of hepatic dysfunction in women taking oral contraceptives which contain C-17 ethinyl estrogen and progesterone derivatives is relatively frequent. As mentioned above, women with a personal or family history of cholestatic jaundice of pregnancy are particularly prone to develop jaundice when taking oral contraceptives.

The following alterations of hepatocellular transporter function can be held responsible for the development of drug induced cholestasis. Selective interference of a drug or its metabolite with bile secretory mechanisms has been shown for C17-alkylated ethinylated steroids, the cholestatic bile acid lithocholic acid, and experimentally for icterogenin. Cis-inhibition of Bsep mediated [³H]-taurocholate transport by cyclosporine A, rifamycin SV, rifampicin and glibenclamide is the likely mechanism for itrahepatic cholestasis caused by these agents[172]. Parenteral administration of cyclosporin A in rats inhibits both bile salt excretion and bile salt-independent bile flow, resulting in cholestasis[176]. In addition, bile salt synthesis decreases by about 50% and the total bile acid pool is reduced in rats following orthotopic liver transplantation. Selective interference with the sinusoidal -uptake of substances such as bilirubin and bromosulphophthalein has been shown for the tuberculostatic agents rifamycin SV and rifampicin. Both are mainly eliminated by hepatic uptake, metabolism and excretion into bile. Rifampicin increases serum bile salt concentrations in 72% of patients after the first dose[177], suggesting acute interference with sinusoidal uptake of bile salts. In the Xenopus laevis-oocyte expression system, rifampicin was shown to inhibit Oatp2 but not Oatp1 mediated taurocholate uptake. Both Oatp1 and Oatp2 were inhibited by 10 μmol/L rifamycin SV, whereas significantly higher concentrations of rifamycin SV and rifampicin were required to inhibit Ntcp[178].

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent sulindac, an established hepatotoxin, may also cause cholestasis by interference with the canalicular excretion of bile salts. Sulindac has been shown to follow the “cholehepatic shunt” pathway and induce choleresis[179]. However, when coinfused with taurocholate in the isolated perfused rat liver, sulindac causes cholestasis by reducing taurocholate secretion. Sulindac appears to be secreted into the bile canaliculus in unconjugated form via a canalicular bile salt export system and is passively absorbed by the bile duct epithelium, thereby inducing a bicarbonate-rich choleresis. Due to continuous cycling within the cholehepatic shunt pathway, high local concentrations of sulindac could be reached within the hepatocyte that cause cholestasis by inhibition of canalicular bile salt efflux[180-188].

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by grant 32-59155.99 from the Swiss National Science Foundation.