Up-regulation of Hnf1α gene expression in the liver of rats with experimentally induced chronic renal failure - A possible link between circulating PCSK9 and triacylglycerol concentrations

- Liver Hnf1α,Hnf4α,Mttp,ApoB-100 and Pcsk9 genes are up-regulated in experimental CRF.
- Serum creatinine level of CRF rats is correlated with liver HNFs mRNA levels.
- Serum PCSK9 and TAG levels of CRF rats are correlated with liver HNFs mRNA levels.
- Serum PCSK9 and TAG levels are correlated with liver ApoB-100 and PCSK9 mRNA levels.
- Clofibrate decreases liver HNFs and PCSK9 mRNA and serum PCSK9 and TAGs levels in CRF rats.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to verify if an increase in Hnf1α gene expression could be a possible link between circulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and TAGs concentrations in chronic renal failure (CRF).MethodsRats underwent 5/6 nephrectomy or a sham surgery. Liver expressions of Pcsk9, Mttp, ApoB-100, Hnf1α, Hnf4α, lipogenic enzymes and β-actin genes were quantified by qPCR. Liver levels of proteins coding by these genes were analyzed by Western blotting. Serum apoB-100 and PCSK9 concentration were estimated with an immunoassay.ResultsCRF rats showed an increase in circulating concentrations of TAGs, VLDL, apoB-100 and PCSK9, along with an enhanced liver VLDL-TAG secretion rate and a coordinated liver up-regulation of genes coding: a) lipogenic enzymes; b) Mttp and ApoB-100; c) Pcsk9; d) Hnf1α and Hnf4α. Positive correlations were found between serum creatinine concentrations and: a) the liver levels of HNF1α mRNA (r = 0.79, p < 0.01) and HNF4α (r = 0.76, p < 0.01); b) the liver levels of PCSK9 mRNA (r = 0.88, p < 0.01) and serum PCSK9 concentrations (r = 0.73, p < 0.01); c) the liver levels of apoB-100 mRNA (r = 0.83, p < 0.01) and serum apoB-100 concentrations (r = 0.87, p < 0.01). Clofibrate treatment was shown to concomitantly decrease the liver levels of HNF1α, HNF4α and PCSK9 mRNA, as well as serum PCSK9, TAGs and total cholesterol concentrations in CRF rats.ConclusionThe results presented are consistent with a cause-effect relationship between the enhanced liver expression of Hnf1α gene and its target genes the products of which are involved in synthesis, assembly and secretion of VLDL, as well as Pcsk9 gene in CRF rats. This may at least in part explain an association between circulating PCSK9 and TAGs in CRF rats and possibly also in humans with chronic kidney disease (CKD).