Constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) mediates pyrene-induced inflammatory responses in mouse liver, with increased serum amyloid A proteins and Th17 cells.

The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), a known xenobiotic sensor, plays an important role in drug metabolism by regulating numerous genes. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pyrene, an environmental pollutant, is a CAR activator and induces mouse hepatotoxicity via CAR. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms of the inflammatory response in pyrene-caused mice liver injury. Effects of pyrene on the liver were investigated in wild-type and CAR knockout (KO) mice. Levels of pyrene and its urinary metabolite were analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Inflammatory responses were measured by qRT-PCR, western blotting, and ELISA for cytokines. Serum amyloid A proteins (SAAs) were markedly increased in the liver and serum of pyrene-exposed wild-type mice. IL-17-producing helper T cells (Th17 cells) and IL-17 levels were increased in the liver of pyrene-exposed wild-type mice. Hepatic mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα, and serum IL-6 levels were significantly elevated in pyrene-treated wild-type mice. However, these changes were not observed in CAR KO mice. CAR plays a crucial role in pyrene-caused mice liver inflammatory response with increased SAAs and Th17 cells. Our results suggest that serum SAAs may be a convenient biomarker for early diagnosis of liver inflammatory response caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including pyrene. CAR and Th17 cells may be potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies for xenobiotic-induced liver inflammation.