PXR and LXR in Hepatic Steatosis: A New Dog and an Old Dog with New Tricks

PXR was isolated as a “xenobiotic receptor” that regulates drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, whereas LXR is known to promote hepatic lipogenesis by activating the lipogenic transcriptional factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP). We have recently shown that PXR can mediate a SREBP-independent lipogenic pathway by activating the free fatty acid (FFA) uptake transporter CD36, PPARγ, and several accessory lipogenic enzymes, such as stearoyl CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) and long-chain free fatty acid elongase (FAE). More recently, we found activation of LXR also induced the expression of CD36. Promoter analysis established CD36 as a novel transcriptional target of LXRα. Moreover, the steatotic effect of LXR agonists was largely abolished in CD36 null mice, suggesting an essential role for CD36 and FFA uptake in LXR-mediated steatosis. We also showed that PPARγ, a positive regulator of CD36, is also a transcriptional target of PXR. Thus, PXR can regulate CD36 directly or through its activation of PPARγ. Interestingly, PXR- and LXR-mediated CD36 activation and PXR-mediated PPARγ activation are all liver-specific. We conclude that CD36 is a shared target of LXR, PXR, and PPARγ. The network of CD36 regulation controlled by LXR, PXR, and PPARγ establishes this FFA transporter as a common target of orphan nuclear receptors in their mediation of hepatic steatosis. It is hoped that the nuclear receptor-mediated CD36 regulation may offer novel targets for the therapeutic management of alcoholic and nonalcoholic steatosis.