Nod2 deficiency protects mice from cholestatic liver disease by increasing renal excretion of bile acids.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Chronic liver disease is characterized by fibrosis that may progress to cirrhosis. Nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (Nod2), a member of the Nod-like receptor (NLR) family of intracellular immune receptors, plays an important role in the defense against bacterial infection through binding to the ligand muramyl dipeptide (MDP). Here, we investigated the role of Nod2 in the development of liver fibrosis.

Methods

We studied experimental cholestatic liver disease induced by bile duct ligation or toxic liver disease induced by carbon tetrachloride in wild type and Nod2(-/-) mice.

Results

Nod2 deficiency protected mice from cholestatic but not toxin-induced liver injury and fibrosis. Most notably, the hepatic bile acid concentration was lower in Nod2(-/-

SUBMITTER: Wang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4028388 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature