α5β1 integrins act as sensors for tauroursodeoxycholic acid in hepatocytes

Introduction: Ursodeoxycholic acid, which in vivo is converted to its taurine conjugate tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDC), is a mainstay for the treatment of cholestatic liver disease. Earlier work showed that TUDC exerts its choleretic properties in the perfused rat liver in a α5β1 integrin-mediated way (Häussinger et al., Gastroenterology, 2003). However, the molecular basis of TUDC-sensing in the liver is unknown. Methods: Rat livers were perfused and analysed by immunohistochemical staining or Western blot technique thereafter. Cell culture experiments were performed in either primary rat hepatocytes or in a…