FGF15/19

Abstract: The fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), and the corresponding receptors, are implicated in more than just the regulation of epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Specifically, FGF23 is a regulator of serum inorganic phosphate levels, and mice deficient in FGF receptor-4 have altered cholesterol metabolism. The recently described FGF19 is unusual in that it is nonmitogenic and appears to interact only with FGF receptor-4. Here, we report that FGF19 transgenic mice had a significant and specific reduction in fat mass that resulted from an increase in energy expenditure. Further, the FGF19 transgenic mice did not become obese or diabetic on a high fat diet. The FGF19 transgenic mice had increased brown adipose tissue mass and decreased liver expression of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 2, providing two mechanisms by which FGF19 may increase energy expenditure. Consistent with the reduction in expression of acetyl CoA carboxylase 2, liver triglyceride levels were reduced.

Abstract: While it has long been recognized that bile acids are essential for solubilizing lipophilic nutrients in the small intestine, the discovery in 1999 that bile acids serve as ligands for the nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) opened the floodgates in terms of characterizing their actions as selective signaling molecules. Bile acids act on FXR in ileal enterocytes to induce the expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)15/19, an atypical FGF that functions as a hormone. FGF15/19 subsequently acts on a cell surface receptor complex in hepatocytes to repress bile acid synthesis and gluconeogenesis, and to stimulate glycogen and protein synthesis. FGF15/19 also stimulates gallbladder filling. Thus, the bile acid-FXR-FGF15/19 signaling pathway regulates diverse aspects of the postprandial enterohepatic response. Pharmacologically, this endocrine pathway provides exciting new opportunities for treating metabolic disease and bile acid-related disorders such as primary biliary cirrhosis and bile acid diarrhea. Both FXR agonists and FGF19 analogs are currently in clinical trials.