Role of the bile acid receptor TGR5 (Gpbar-1) in liver damage and regeneration

Excerpt

Bile acids (BA) are signaling molecules with pleiotropic paracrine and endocrine functions (for recent reviews see [1‐4] and references herein). Bile acids are involved in the regulation of bile acid, glucose, lipid and energy homeostasis and can modulate the immune response both in the liver and in the intestine [1, 2]. Furthermore, bile acids can promote cell proliferation, cell differentiation and liver regeneration [1‐6]. However, especially hydrophobic bile acids may also induce liver damage through induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis) as well as necrosis in hepatocytes [1, 2]. Bile acid effects in the liver are cell type and bile acid specific and are facilitated through different bile acid sensing molecules, comprising nuclear hormone receptors, G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) as well as integrins and ion channels [1, 2]. …