Cl−/HCO3−anion exchanger 2 (AE2) participates in intracellular pH homeostasis and secretin-stimulated biliary bicarbonate secretion. AE2/SLC4A2 gene expression is reduced in liver and blood mononuclear cells from patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Our previous findings of hepatic and immunological features mimicking PBC in Ae2-deficient mice strongly suggest that decreased AE2 expression might be involved in the pathogenesis of PBC. Here we tested the potential role of hsa-microRNA 506 (miR-506) – predicted as candidate to target AE2 mRNA – for the decreased expression of AE2 in PBC. Real-time qPCR showed that miR-506 expression is increased in PBC livers versus normal liver specimens. In situ hybridization in liver sections confirmed that miR-506 is upregulated in the intrahepatic bile ducts of PBC livers compared with normal and primary-sclerosing-cholangitis livers. Precursor-mediated overexpression of miR-506 in SV40-immortalized normal human cholangiocytes (H69 cells) led to decreased AE2 protein expression and activity, as indicated by immunoblotting and microfluorimetry, respectively. Moreover, miR-506 overexpression in 3D-cultured H69 cholangiocytes blocked the secretin-stimulated expansion of cystic structures developed under the three-dimensional conditions. Luciferase assays and site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that miR-506 specifically may bind the 3’UTR region of AE2 mRNA and prevent protein translation. Finally, cultured PBC cholangiocytes showed decreased AE2 activity together with miR-506 overexpression compared to normal human cholangiocytes, and, transfection of PBC cholangiocytes with anti-miR-506 was able to improve their AE2 activity. Conclusion miR-506 is upregulated in cholangiocytes from PBC patients, binds the 3’UTR region of AE2 mRNA and prevents protein translation, leading to diminished AE2 activity and impaired biliary secretory functions. In view of the putative pathogenic role of decreased AE2 in PBC, miR-506 may constitute a potential therapeutic target for this disease.

Background & Aims Polycystic liver diseases (PLDs) are genetic disorders characterized by progressive biliary cystogenesis. Current therapies show short-term and/or modest beneficial effects. Cystic cholangiocytes hyperproliferate as a consequence of diminished intracellular calcium levels ([Ca2+]i). Here, the therapeutic value of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was investigated. Methods Effect of UDCA was examined in vitro and in polycystic (PCK) rats. Hepatic cystogenesis and fibrosis, and the bile acid (BA) content were evaluated in liver, bile, serum and kidneys by HPLC-MS/MS. Results Chronic treatment of PCK rats with UDCA inhibits hepatic cystogenesis and fibrosis, and improves their motor behaviour. As compared to wild-type animals, PCK rats show increased BA concentration ([BA]) in liver, similar hepatic Cyp7a1 mRNA levels, and diminished [BA] in bile. Likewise, [BA] is increased in cystic fluid of PLD patients compared to their matched serum levels. In PCK rats, UDCA decreases the intrahepatic accumulation of cytotoxic BA, normalizes their diminished [BA] in bile, increases the BA secretion in bile and diminishes the increased [BA] in kidneys. In vitro, UDCA inhibits the hyperproliferation of polycystic human cholangiocytes via a PI3K/AKT/MEK/ERK1/2-dependent mechanism without affecting apoptosis. Finally, the presence of glycodeoxycholic acid promotes the proliferation of polycystic human cholangiocytes, which is inhibited by both UDCA and tauro-UDCA. Conclusions UDCA was able to halt the liver disease of a rat model of PLD through inhibiting cystic cholangiocyte hyperproliferation and decreasing the level of cytotoxic BA species in the liver, which suggests the use of UDCA as a potential therapeutic tool for PLD patients.

Objective Polycystic liver diseases (PCLDs) are genetic disorders characterised by progressive bile duct dilatation and/or cyst development. Their pathogenesis is a consequence of hyperproliferation, hypersecretion and microRNA alterations in cholangiocytes. Here we evaluate the role of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) in the hepatic cystogenesis of PCLDs. Design Metalloprotease activity was measured by microfluorimetric assays in normal and polycystic cholangiocyte cultures from humans and rats, and gene expression by real time quantitative PCR. The role of cytokines, oestrogens and growth factors present in the cystic fluid of PCLD patients was evaluated for MMP activity. The MMP inhibitor marimastat was examined for cystic expansion in vitro and in polycystic kidney (PCK) rats. Results Polycystic human and rat cholangiocytes displayed increased MMP activity, which was associated with increased mRNA levels of different MMPs. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and 17β-oestradiol, all stimulated MMP activity in human cholangiocytes. The presence of antibodies against IL-6 and/or IL-8 receptor/s inhibited baseline MMP hyperactivity of polycystic human cholangiocytes but had no effect on normal human cholangiocytes. MMP-3 was overexpressed in cystic cholangiocytes from PCLD human and PCK rat livers by immunohistochemistry. Marimastat reduced MMP hyperactivity of polycystic human and rat cholangiocytes and blocked the cystic expansion of PCK cholangiocytes cultured in three-dimensions. Chronic treatment of 8-week-old PCK rats with marimastat inhibited hepatic cystogenesis and fibrosis. Conclusions PCLDs are associated with cholangiocyte MMP hyperactivity resulting from autocrine/paracrine stimulation by IL-6 and IL-8. Inhibition of this MMP hyperactivity with marimastat decreased hepatic cystogenesis in vitro and in an animal model of PCLD, offering a potential therapeutic tool.

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