Non-genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to inter-individualvariability of the hepatic bile acid and drug transporter NTCP : Hepatic variability of the hepatic bile acid and drug transporter NTCP

• Background and Purpose: The hepatic Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide NTCP/SLC10A1 plays an importantrole in the uptake of bile salts and drugs, and as key receptor for hepatitis B/D virus entry. NTCPinhibitors are investigated for treatment of HBV/HDV-infection. We performed a comprehensivemulti-omics approach to investigate underlying mechanisms of inter-individual variability ofNTCP expression in Caucasians.Experimental Approach: mRNA/protein expression of SLC10A1/NTCP was quantified in 143 well-characterized nontumorhuman liver samples by real-time PCR and LC-MS/MS-based targeted proteomics,respectively. Genetic variants were investigated using genome-wide SNP arrays and nextgenerationsequencing. DNA methylation of the SLC10A1 promoter region was investigatedthrough MALDI-TOF MS. Untargeted metabolomics of liver tissues was performed by UHPLC-QTOFMS.Key Results: The SLC10A1 mRNA expression showed a 44-fold variation in liver samples, whereas NTCPprotein expression varied 10.4-fold. Genome-wide association analyses and in-depth SLC10A1sequencing indicates that genetic variants either in SLC10A1 or other genes, cannot explainexpression variability. Only two missense SLC10A1 variants were identified. NTCP proteinexpression is significantly influenced by non-genetic factors (e.g. smoking, alcoholconsumption). DNA methylation analysis revealed a significant association of specific CpG-siteswith protein expression (p<0.05). Additionally, variable expression is associated with metabolicalterations determined through gene set enrichment and untargeted metabolomics. Findingswere validated partly in livers (n=50) from The Cancer Genome Atlas.Conclusion and Implications: Inter-individual variability of NTCP expression is multifactorial with a significant contribution ofDNA methylation. Functional genetic variants are negligible and may not limit targeting of NTCPby novel inhibitors for treatment of HBV/HDV-infection.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP); SLC10A1; human liver; bile acids; epigenetics

metabolomics

HBV/HDV infection

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)