[Expression and regulation of megalin in gallbladder mucosa associated with cholesterol gallstone disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between expression and regulation of Megalin in gallbladder mucosa and cholesterol gallstone disease. METHODS: Gallbladder mucosa, gallbladder wall, bile, gallstone were collected from 29 patients with cholesterol gallstone disease (GS) and 12 patients with gallstone free (GSF). Lipids of bile and stone were measured by kits. Expression of Megalin and Cubilin was analyzed by Real-time PCR. GBC-SD cell line were treated with T0901317, 9-cis retinoic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), the agonists of LXR, RXR, FXR, respectively. Gene expressions were detected. RESULTS: Biliary cholesterol % molar and CSI increased significantly in GS group [(7.98 +/- 0.44) mol% vs (4.87 +/- 0.39) mol%, P < 0.01]. Megalin expression in GS group was significantly higher than that in GSF group (P < 0.05) and cubilin expression was similar between two groups. In vitro experiments showed that CDCA markedly increased expression of megalin. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the increased expression Megalin may help to increase cholesterol uptake in gallbladder and play a compensative role in GS. FXR may participate in the transcription regulating of Megalin.