Dexamethasone-Induced Liver Enlargement Is Related to PXR/YAP Activation and Lipid Accumulation but Not Hepatocyte Proliferation

Dexamethasone (Dex), a widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drug, was reported to induce liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) in clinical practice and in animal models. However, the underlying mechanisms are not elucidated. Dex is a known activator of pregnane X receptor (PXR). Yes-associated protein (YAP) has been implicated in chemically induced liver enlargement. Here, the roles of PXR and YAP pathways were investigated in Dex-induced hepatomegaly. Upregulation of PXR downstream proteins, including cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A11, 2B10, and organic anion transporter polypeptide 2 (OATP2) (also known as SLCO1A4 and SLC21A5 in mouse), indicated PXR signaling was activated after high dose of Dex (50 mg/kg, i.p.), and Dex at 100 μM activated PXR in the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Dex also increased the expression of total YAP, nuclear YAP, and YAP downstream proteins, including connective tissue growth factor and cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61, indicating activation of the YAP pathway. Furthermore, nuclear translocation of YAP was promoted by activation of PXR. However, hepatocyte proliferation was inhibited with significant decrease in the expression of proliferation-related proteins cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen as well as other regulatory factors, such as forkhead box protein M1, c-MYC, and epidermal growth factor receptor. The inhibitory effect of Dex on hepatocyte proliferation was likely due to its anti-inflammation effect of suppression of inflammation factors. β-catenin staining revealed enlarged hepatocytes, which were mostly attributable to the accumulation of lipids, such as triglycerides. In summary, high-dose Dex increased liver size accompanied by enlarged hepatocytes, and this was due to the activation of PXR/YAP and their effects on lipid accumulation but not hepatocyte proliferation. These findings provide new insights for understanding the mechanism of Dex-induced hepatomegaly.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

This study identified the roles of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and yes-associated protein (YAP) pathways in dexamethasone (Dex)-induced hepatomegaly. Dex induced PXR/YAP activation, enlarged hepatocytes, and promoted liver enlargement with lipid accumulation, such as triglycerides. However, hepatocyte proliferation was inhibited by the anti-inflammatory effect of Dex. These findings provide new insights for understanding the mechanism of Dex-induced hepatomegaly.