Hepatocyte Activity of the Cholesterol Sensor Smoothened Regulates Cholesterol and Bile Acid Homeostasis in Mice

Investigators examined dietary cholesterol-induced reorganization of whole body sterol and bile acid homeostasis in adult mice with inducible hepatocyte-specific Smo deletion. They demonstrated Smo in hepatocytes played a regulatory role in sensing and feedback regulation of cholesterol balance driven by excess dietary cholesterol.