Exploring the Expanding Role of Nuclear Receptor LRH-1/NR5A2 in Cell Biology and Immunity.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology School of Health Sciences University of Thessaly Biopolis Campus Larissa Greece uth.gr.
- 2Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Democritus University of Thrace Alexandroupolis Greece duth.gr.
- 3Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes Institute of Infection Veterinary and Ecological Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK liv.ac.uk.
- 4Faculty of Medicine University of Thessaly Biopolis Campus Larissa Greece uth.gr.
Abstract
LRH-1/NR5A2 is a member of the NR5A subfamily of nuclear receptors, acting as a crucial transcription factor involved in diverse biological processes. Although LRH-1 has been extensively studied in vitro and in vivo, in relation to its role in embryonic development and differentiation and in adult tissue processes, such as cholesterol, glucose, and ethanol metabolism, current knowledge about its function in immunity is very limited. This review, therefore, presents the most recent knowledge regarding NR5A2 regulation and LRH-1 function, including the wide spectrum of its target genes. In addition to LRH-1 regulating steroidogenesis in tissues such as the ovaries, testes, pancreas, and breast adipocytes, it is also key in driving glucocorticoid production in intestine, where its immunomodulatory activity is undoubtedly important in maintaining gut homeostasis and countering inflammation. Likewise, LRH-1 also appears to be crucial to the enterohepatic circulation, regulating hepatic bile acid synthesis and secretion, and intestinal transport/reabsorption. Our review also highlights fundamental roles for LRH-1 in macrophage polarization and in T cell homeostasis, revealing a major role in Th2 immune responses. Although no studies to date have explored the association of LRH-1 with respect to B-lymphocyte biology, we highlight the need for understanding its wider role in the immune system and its interplay with tissues and organs in health and disease.
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BibTeX
@article{tsapalou2026exploring,
title = {{Exploring the Expanding Role of Nuclear Receptor LRH-1/NR5A2 in Cell Biology and Immunity.}},
author = {Eleni Tsapalou and Panagiotis Michael and Maria Georgoula and Konstantinos Michail and Stamatia Papoutsopoulou and Barry J Campbell},
journal = {International journal of cell biology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1155/ijcb/3335387},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42846146},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Exploring the Expanding Role of Nuclear Receptor LRH-1/NR5A2 in Cell Biology and Immunity.
AU - Eleni Tsapalou
AU - Panagiotis Michael
AU - Maria Georgoula
AU - Konstantinos Michail
AU - Stamatia Papoutsopoulou
AU - Barry J Campbell
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/06
JO - International journal of cell biology
DO - 10.1155/ijcb/3335387
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42846146
AB - LRH-1/NR5A2 is a member of the NR5A subfamily of nuclear receptors, acting as a crucial transcription factor involved in diverse biological processes. Although LRH-1 has been extensively studied in vitro and in vivo, in relation to its role in embryonic development and differentiation and in adult tissue processes, such as cholesterol, glucose, and ethanol metabolism, current knowledge about its function in immunity is very limited. This review, therefore, presents the most recent knowledge regarding NR5A2 regulation and LRH-1 function, including the wide spectrum of its target genes. In addition to LRH-1 regulating steroidogenesis in tissues such as the ovaries, testes, pancreas, and breast adipocytes, it is also key in driving glucocorticoid production in intestine, where its immunomodulatory activity is undoubtedly important in maintaining gut homeostasis and countering inflammation. Likewise, LRH-1 also appears to be crucial to the enterohepatic circulation, regulating hepatic bile acid synthesis and secretion, and intestinal transport/reabsorption. Our review also highlights fundamental roles for LRH-1 in macrophage polarization and in T cell homeostasis, revealing a major role in Th2 immune responses. Although no studies to date have explored the association of LRH-1 with respect to B-lymphocyte biology, we highlight the need for understanding its wider role in the immune system and its interplay with tissues and organs in health and disease.
SN - 1687-8876
SN - 1687-8884
ER -