Intestine epithelial specific hypoxia-inducible factor-1α overexpression on ileum transcriptome

Background: Intestine epithelial hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) plays a critical role in maintaining gut barrier function. The aim of this study was to determine genetic activation of intestinal HIF-1α ameliorates western diet-induced metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Methods: Male and/or female intestinal epithelial-specific Hif1α overexpression mice (Hif1α LSL/LSL;VilERcre) and wild-type littermates (Hif1α LSL/LSL) were fed with regular chow diet, high fructose (HFr) or high-fat (60% Kcal) high-fructose diet (HFHFr) for 8 weeks. Metabolic phenotypes were profiled. Results: Male Hif1α LSL/LSL;VilERcre mice exhibited markedly improved glucose tolerance compared to Hif1α LSL/LSL mice in response to HFr diet. Eight weeks HFHFr feeding led to obesity in both Hif1α LSL/LSL;VilERcre and Hif1α LSL/LSL mice. However, male Hif1α LSL/LSL;VilERcre mice exhibited markedly attenuated hepatic steatosis along with reduced liver size and liver weight compared to male Hif1α LSL/LSL mice. Moreover, HFHFr-induced systemic inflammatory responses were mitigated in male Hif1α LSL/LSL;VilERcre mice compared to male Hif1α LSL/LSL mice and those responses were not evident in female mice. Ileum RNA-seq analysis revealed that glycolysis/gluconeogenesis was up in male Hif1α LSL/LSL;VilERcre mice accompanied by increased epithelial cell proliferation. Conclusion: Our data provide evidence that genetic activation of intestinal HIF-1α markedly ameliorates western diet-induced MASLD in a sex-dependent manner. The underlying mechanism is likely attributed to HIF-1α activation induced upregulation of glycolysis, which, in turn, leading to enhanced epithelial cell proliferation and augmented gut barrier function.