FXR-FGF19 signaling in the gut–liver axis is dysregulated in patients with cirrhosis and correlates with impaired intestinal defence

Abstract Background and aims Experimental studies linked dysfunctional Farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) signaling to liver disease. This study investigated key intersections of the FXR-FGF19 pathway along the gut–liver axis and their link to disease severity in patients with cirrhosis. Methods Patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement (cohort-I n = 107, including n = 53 with concomitant liver biopsy; n = 5 healthy controls) or colonoscopy with ileum biopsy (cohort-II n = 37; n = 6 controls) were included. Hepatic and intestinal gene expression reflecting FXR activation and intestinal barrier integrity was assessed. Systemic bile acid (BA) and FGF19 levels were measured. Results Systemic BA and FGF19 levels correlated significantly ( r = 0.461; p < 0.001) and increased with cirrhosis severity. Hepatic SHP expression decreased in patients with cirrhosis (vs. controls; p < 0.001), indicating reduced FXR activation in the liver. Systemic FGF19 ( r = −0.512, p < 0.001) and BA ( r = −0.487, p < 0.001) levels correlated negatively with hepatic CYP7A1, but not SHP or CYP8B1 expression, suggesting impaired feedback signaling in the liver. In the ileum, expression of FXR, SHP and FGF19 decreased in patients with cirrhosis, and interestingly, intestinal FGF19 expression was not linked to systemic FGF19 levels. Intestinal zonula occludens-1, occludin, and alpha-5-defensin expression in the ileum correlated with SHP and decreased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis as compared to controls. Conclusions FXR-FGF19 signaling is dysregulated at essential molecular intersections along the gut–liver axis in patients with cirrhosis. Decreased FXR activation in the ileum mucosa was linked to reduced expression of intestinal barrier proteins. These human data call for further mechanistic research on interventions targeting the FXR-FGF19 pathway in patients with cirrhosis. Clinical trial number: NCT03267615 Graphical abstract Physiology of enterohepatic FXR-FGF19 signaling and its regulation in patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD). (FXR) farnesoid X receptor; (FGF19) fibroblast growth factor 19; (BA) bile acids; (c/dACLD) compensated/decompensated advanced chronic liver disease; (FXR) farnesoid X receptor; (SHP) small heterodimer partner; (OST-α/-β) organic solute transporter subunit alpha/beta; (CYP7A1) cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase; (NTCP) Na+-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide; (CYP8B1) sterol 12-alpha-hydroxylase; (HVPG) hepatic venous pressure gradient; (TJ) tight junctions; (AMP) antimicrobial peptides; (ASBT) Apical Sodium Dependent Bile Acid Transporter; (ZO 1) zonula occludens-1; (OCLN) occluding; (DEFA5) alpha-5-defensin.