Non-synonymous variants of SLC10A1, including c.668T>C(p.Ile223Thr), c.800C>T(p.Ser267Phe), c.836T>C(p.Ile279Thr), c.940A>G(p.Lys314Glu), and c.755G>A(p.Arg252His), have been reported previously. The p.Ser267Phe variant exhibits a loss of function for bile salt uptake, but it keeps a fully normal transport function for the non-BA substrate.
In this study, a biochemical assessment of recruited individuals was done to enrich the characterization of the SLC10A1S267F mutation, which is more comprehensive compared with previous studies. Bioinformatics and clinical evidence in this study suggested that this variant was none-pathogenic, which is consistent with previously reported cases of NTCP deficiency. However, the neutrophil count in 2 children (individuals 3 and 8) was lower than normal, while their lymphocyte count was above normal. Two children with a homozygous SLC10A1S267F mutation also presented decreased globulin, suggesting that researchers and doctors should focus on the immunologic function of homozygotes and their susceptibility to pathogens.
Bile and bile salts are vital for endogenous compounds and metabolic products, such as the digestion of dietary fat and fat-soluble vitamins (
27-
30). According to previous studies, fat-soluble compounds (such as vitamin D) deviate from the normal range in
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes. However, our patients displayed slight changes in vitamin D and serum lipid levels. Thus, the specific molecular role of
SLC10A1S267F in fat solubilization and absorption needs to be further elucidated.
Some studies have mentioned that patients with
SLC10A1S267F display worse clinical phenotype (such as liver dysfunction), always accompanied by other damage variants. Also, our previous results indicated that
Slc10a1S267F homozygous mice displayed normal levels of serum BA and did not cause hypercholanemia (
26). Thus, to our knowledge, there are probably other variants in
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes; in this regard, 5 candidate SNPs are described below.
ABCB11 and
ABCC2 are genes coding for the bile salt export pump (BSEP) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), respectively. BSEP and MRP2 are bile salt transporters located at the canalicular membrane of hepatocytes (
6). BSEP mainly participates in hepatic BA and lipid homeostasis. In most cases, mutations in BSEP are closely related to inherited progressive cholestatic liver disorders in infancy, known as progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) (
31,
32). Missense variant
ABCB11V444A is related not only to PFIC but also to a risk factor of intrahepatic cholestasis in pregnancy or drug-induced liver injury (
33-
35). Therefore, we speculate that 444Ala constitutes a susceptibility factor for the development of hypercholanemia under certain conditions, such as a combination mutation of
SLC10A1S267F. MRP2 can transport divalent bile salts. The
ABCC2Y39F mutation has found in
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes. Some mutations of single amino acid in
ABCC2 could confer MRP2 new transport capacity for bile salts, indicating that we should pay attention to this SNP and its underlying effect on serum BA levels.
Mutations of
APOBA618V and
PSCK9V474I were reported as related factors of familial hypercholesterolemia in the ClinVar database. Apolipoprotein B (
APOB) is a major protein constituent of chylomicrons (apo B-48), LDL (apo B-100), and VLDL (apo B-100) (
36). The
APOBA618V mutation is associated with higher LDL-C levels (odds ratio [OR] = 1.41) (
37), meaning that cholesterol and BA levels in
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes could be influenced to some extent. The coexistence of
APOBA618V and
APOBA618V should be studied. The main function of
PCSK9 is the degradation of the LDL receptor. In some cases,
PCSK9 increases apoB100 production, reduces
APOB degradation to increase circulating LDL levels and contributes to hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis (
38). However,
PSCK9V474I seems to be a protection variant associated with lower LDL and cholesterol (
39). This might be the reason why the serum lipids in
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes were normal in this study.
VPS33B is a class C vacuolar protein sorting protein (
40). Approximately 75% of arthrogryposis, renal dysfunction, and cholestasis syndrome (ARC) patients harbor germline mutations in
VPS33B. ARC is characterized by congenital joint contractures, renal tubular acidosis, and neonatal jaundice, leading to death in infancy. However, in milder cases, patients survive into adulthood and increase serum BA values but normal bilirubin levels (
41). The
VPS33BG487S mutation in
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes is predicted as a non-specific risk factor in ARC. However, the relationship between
VPS33BG487S and
SLC10A1S267F mutation still needs to be studied.
From the above discussion, we suggest that although the SLC10A1S267F mutation is the most important reason for high serum BA levels, we detected some mutations in homozygotes that might influence BA metabolism. Further studies on these variants could provide a deeper understanding of the etiology of hypercholesterolemia.
Although we provided a comprehensive clinical, biochemical explanation of the SLC10A1S267F mutation and discussed how to explore the etiology of the SLC10A1S267F mutation-related hypercholesterolemia, there are some limitations. Due to experimental conditions and equipment limitations, we only used medical history data to exclude cholestasis/ malabsorptive diseases or long-term medication history (such as anti-hyperlipidemic agents). Also, we did not evaluate the insulin resistance status of the subjects.
Apart from the function of transporting molecules, NTCP has other functions. Convincing human genetic evidence supports the role of NTCP as a cellular receptor for hepatic B virus (HBV). Recently, several epidemiology studies have reported
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes with lower HBV entry and hepatocyte infection compared to wild-type individuals.
SLC10A1S267F homozygotes may escape from HBV infection and present decreased cholesterol levels as a consequence of impaired BA uptake (
42). According to the marked higher allele frequency of p.S267F in Asia, this SNP might be a positive selection of Asian for its advantage in conferring resistance to chronic HBV. We aim to design more in vivo and in vitro experiments to study and analyze these variants of
SLC10A1 in the next phase of our investigation. We have already constructed
Slc10a1S267F mutation mice and prepared for further study to determine whether there are deleterious effects on the population and how
267Phe influences HBV infection. To understand the etiology of hypercholanemia, a mouse model of a
Slc10a1S267F mutation combined with other related variants is also needed. The effect of
p.Ser267Phe on other BA transport proteins should also be explored.
4.1. Conclusions
This study presents an in-depth characterization of NTCP p.Ser267Phe mutations in 5 homozygotes by clinical examination, genetic analysis, and functional prediction. The results supported that the p.Ser267Phe mutation has no deleterious clinical effects in both children and adults.