TBC1D15 protects alcohol-induced liver injury in female mice through PLIN5-mediated mitochondrial and lipid droplet contacting

Objective

Alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial dysfunction are progressive conditions contributing to the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), often leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. TBC1D15, a Rab7 GTPase-activating protein (GAP), has been implicated in mitochondrial homeostasis, however, its role in ALD remains elusive. This study aimed to investigate the functional role of TBC1D15 in ALD and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Female TBC1D15^flox/flox mice and hepatocyte-specific overexpression of TBC1D15 mice were fed a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol diet, which progressively increasing ethanol dosages over 8 weeks. Liver tissues were assessed using histology, transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence, immunoblotting, and real-time PCR techniques.

Results

TBC1D15 levels were markedly decreased in human ALD samples and primary hepatocytes exposed to ethanol. Hepatocyte-specific TBC1D15 overexpression attenuated alcohol-induced body weight loss, improved survival, and alleviated liver injury, lipid droplet (LD) accumulation, and hepatocyte apoptosis. TBC1D15 overexpression also protected against alcohol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and enhanced mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) by promoting interactions between mitochondria and LDs in the face of alcohol exposure. Mechanistically, TBC1D15 was translocated to mitochondrial membranes in hepatocytes in response to alcohol exposure, where it recruited PLIN5 through its 10–180 aa domain. This interaction promoted mitochondria-LD contacts and facilitated PKA-induced nuclear translocation of PLIN5. Furthermore, TBC1D15 upregulated protein levels of PPARα, PGC1α and CPT1α in hepatocytes following alcohol challenge, an effect that was nullified by PKA inhibition.

Conclusion

TBC1D15 plays a promising protective role in ALD injury by enhancing mitochondrial function and FAO, potentially through its interaction with PLIN5 and modulation of mitochondria-LD contacts via PKA-mediated nuclear translocation of PLIN5. These findings identify TBC1D15 as a potential therapeutic target for ALD.