Vitamin A derivatives regulate fibroblast growth factor 19 expression in human enterocytes

Background: Human Fibroblast Growth Factor 19 (FGF19) and its mouse ortholog Fgf15 are gut-derived hormones with broad impact on bile acid (BA) and energy metabolism. FGF15/19 expression is induced by BA-mediated activation of the nuclear receptor (NR) FXR. Moreover, vitamin A (VA) has been shown to activate Fgf15 in an FXR/RXR-dependent manner in mice. Whether and how VA regulates FGF19 in humans is, however, currently unknown. Methods: Human enterocyte-like HT-29 cells were treated with VA derivatives with distinct selectivity for nuclear retinoid receptors (RARs and RXRs). FGF19 mRNA and protein levels were m…