Taurine is an abundant organic osmolyte with antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Its role in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease is unknown. The liver phenotype was studied in taurine transporter knockout (taut−/−) mice. Hepatic taurine levels were ~21, 15 and 6 μmol/g liver wet weight in adult wild-type, heterozygous (taut+/−) and homozygous (taut−/−) mice, respectively. Immunoelectronmicroscopy revealed an almost complete depletion of taurine in Kupffer and sinusoidal endothelial cells, but not in parenchymal cells of (taut−/−) mice. Compared with wild-type mice, (taut−/−) and (taut+/−) mice developed moderate unspecific hepatitis and liver fibrosis with increased frequency of neoplastic lesions beyond 1 year of age. Liver disease in (taut−/−) mice was characterized by hepatocyte apoptosis, activation of the CD95 system, elevated plasma TNF-α levels, hepatic stellate cell and oval cell proliferation, and severe mitochondrial abnormalities in liver parenchymal cells. Mitochondrial dysfunction was suggested by a significantly lower respiratory control ratio in isolated mitochondria from (taut−/−) mice. Taut knockout had no effect on taurine-conjugated bile acids in bile; however, the relative amount of cholate-conjugates acid was decreased at the expense of 7-keto-cholate-conjugates. In conclusion, taurine deficiency due to defective taurine transport triggers chronic liver disease, which may involve mitochondrial dysfunction.

Key words: apoptosis • bile acids • compatible organic osmolytes • inflammation • fibrosis