Role of nuclear receptors for bile acid metabolism, bile secretion, cholestasis, and gallstone disease

Nuclear receptors (NRs) play a key role in the transcriptional control of critical steps of hepatobiliary transport and phase I/II metabolism of endo- and xenobiotics such as bile acids and drugs. Apart from these metabolic roles, NRs may also play a key role in the control of hepatic inflammation. Hereditary and acquired alterations of NRs contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of cholestasis and gallstone disease. Moreover, NRs may represent attractive drug targets for these disorders. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translating nuclear receptors from health to disease.

Research Highlights
► Nuclear receptors control hepatobiliary transport and phase I/II metabolism of bile acids and drugs.
► Nuclear receptors modulate hepatic inflammation.
► Hereditary and acquired alterations of NR help to understand cholestasis and gallstone disease pathogenesis.
► Nuclear receptors represent attractive drug targets for cholestasis and gallstone disease.