Hepatocyte-specific deletion of XBP1 sensitizes mice to liver injury through hyperactivation of IRE1α

X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) is a transcription factor that plays a central role in controlling cellular responses to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Under stress conditions, the transcriptionally active form of XBP1 is generated via splicing of Xbp1 mRNA by the ER-resident protein inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE1 alpha). Genetic deletion of XBP1 has multiple consequences: some resulting from the loss of the transcription factor per se, and others related to compensatory activation of IRE1 alpha. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of XBP1 deletion in adult mouse liver and determine to what extent they are direct or indirect. XBP1 was deleted from hepatocytes in adult Xbp1(fl/fl) mice using AAV8-Transthyretin-Cre (Xbp1(Delta hep)). Xbp1(Delta hep) mice exhibited no liver disease at baseline, but developed acute biochemical and histologic liver injury in response to a dietary challenge with fructose for 4 weeks. Fructose-mediated liver injury in Xbp1(Delta hep) mice coincided with heightened IRE1 alpha activity, as demonstrated by Xbp1 mRNA splicing, JNK activation, and regulated IRE1 alpha-dependent RNA decay (RIDD). Activation of eIF2 alpha was also evident, with associated up-regulation of the pro-apoptotic molecules CHOP, BIM, and PUMA. To determine whether the adverse consequences of liver-specific XBP1 deletion were due to XBP1 loss or heightened IRE1 alpha activity, we repeated a fructose challenge in mice with liver-specific deletion of both XBP1 and IRE1 alpha (Xbp1(Delta hep);Ire1a(Delta hep)). Xbp1(Delta hep);Ire1a(Delta hep) mice were protected from fructose-mediated liver injury and failed to exhibit any of the signs of ER stress seen in mice lacking XBP1 alone. The protective effect of IRE1 alpha deletion persisted even with long-term exposure to fructose. Xbp1(Delta hep) mice developed liver fibrosis at 16 weeks, but Xbp1(Delta hep);Ire1a(Delta hep) mice did not. Overall, the results indicate that the deleterious effects of hepatocyte-specific XBP1 deletion are due primarily to hyperactivation of IRE1 alpha. They support further exploration of IRE1 alpha as a contributor to acute and chronic liver diseases.

Automated summary

The transcription factor X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) plays a central role in controlling cellular responses to endoplasmic reticulum stress. Genetic deletion of XBP1 in adult mouse liver led to acute liver injury in response to fructose challenge, primarily due to hyperactivation of IRE1 alpha. Further exploration of IRE1 alpha as a contributor to liver diseases is supported by these findings.