Tauroursodeoxycholic acid inserts the apical conjugate export pump, Mrp2, into canalicular membranes and stimulates organic anion secretion by protein kinase C-dependent mechanisms in cholestatic rat liver

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) exerts anticholestatic effects by undefined mec hanisms. Previous work suggested that UDCA stimulates biliary exocytosis vi a Ca++- and protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanisms. Therefore, the eff ect of taurine-conjugated UDCA (TUDCA) was studied in the experimental mode l of taurolithocholic acid (TLCA)-induced cholestasis on bile now, hepatobi liary exocytosis, distribution of PKC isoforms, and density of the apical c onjugate export pump, Mrp2, in canalicular membranes. Isolated perfused rat livers were preloaded with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), a marker of vesic ular exocytosis, and were perfused with bile acids or dimethylsulfoxide (co ntrol) only. PKC isoform distribution and membrane density of Mrp2 were stu died using immunoblotting and immunoelectron-microscopic techniques. Biliar y secretion of the Mrp2 substrate, 2,4-dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione (GS-DNP) , was studied in the presence or absence of the PKC inhibitor, bisindolylma leimide T (BIM-I; I mu mol/L). TLCA (10 mu mol/L) impaired bile flow by 51% ; biliary secretion of HRP and GS-DNP by 46% and 95%, respectively; membran e binding of the Ca++-sensitive alpha -isoform of PKC by 32%; and density o f Mrp2 in the canalicular membrane by 79%. TUDCA (25 mu mol/L) reversed the effects of TLCA on bile flow, secretion of HRP and GS-DNP, and distributio n of alpha -PKC. TUDCA reduced membrane binding of epsilon -PKC and increas ed Mrp2 density 4-fold in canalicular membranes of cholestatic hepatocytes, BIM-I inhibited the effect of TUDCA on GS-DNP secretion in cholestatic liv ers by 49% without affecting secretion in controls. In conclusion, TUDCA ma y enhance the secretory capacity of cholestatic hepatocytes by stimulation of exocytosis and insertion of transport proteins into apical membranes via PKC-dependent mechanisms.