Lack of vitamin D receptor causes stress-induced premature senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells through enhanced local angiotensin-II signals

OBJECTIVES

The inhibition of the renal renin-angiotensin system by the active form of vitamin D contributes to the cardiovascular health benefits of a normal vitamin D status. Local production of angiotensin-II in the vascular wall is a potent mediator of oxidative stress, prompting premature senescence. Herein, our objective was to examine the impact of defective vitamin D signalling on local angiotensin-II levels and arterial health.

METHODS

Primary cultures of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from wild-type and vitamin D receptor-knockout (VDRKO) mice were used for the assessment of cell growth, angiotensin-II and superoxide anion production and expression levels of cathepsin D, angiotensin-II type 1 receptor and p57(Kip2). The in vitro findings were confirmed histologically in aortas from wild-type and VDRKO mice.

RESULTS

VSMC from VDRKO mice produced more angiotensin-II in culture, and elicited higher levels of cathepsin D, an enzyme with renin-like activity, and angiotensin-II type 1 receptor, than wild-type mice. Accordingly, VDRKO VSMC showed higher intracellular superoxide anion production, which could be suppressed by cathepsin D, angiotensin-II type 1 receptor or NADPH oxidase antagonists. VDRKO cells presented higher levels of p57(Kip2), impaired proliferation and premature senescence, all of them blunted upon inhibition of angiotensin-II signalling. In vivo studies confirmed higher levels of cathepsin D, angiotensin-II type 1 receptor and p57(Kip2) in aortas from VDRKO mice.

CONCLUSION

The beneficial effects of active vitamin D in vascular health could be a result of the attenuation of local production of angiotensin-II and downstream free radicals, thus preventing the premature senescence of VSMC.

Relationship of 1,25 dihydroxy Vitamin D Levels to Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with Acute Kidney Injury

BACKGROUND

Calcitriol [1,25(OH)₂D] plays a central role in endocrine regulation of bone and mineral metabolism. Low 1,25(OH)₂D levels in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the role of 1,25(OH)₂D in acute kidney injury (AKI) is unclear, with very limited data. This pilot study examined the relationship between 1,25(OH)₂D levels in critically ill patients with AKI and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Plasma 1,25(OH)₂D, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 25-OH Vitamin D (VitD), calcium and phosphorus were measured in 34 patients with AKI without pre-existing chronic kidney disease and 12 healthy controls.

RESULTS

The mean 1,25(OH)₂D levels were significantly lower in patients with AKI compared to controls, (42±5.6 pg/mL vs. 76.1±5.3 pg/mL, P <0.0001). The mortality in patients with AKI was 30%. 1,25(OH)₂D levels were higher in non-survivors than survivors (62±41.4 pg/mL vs. 33.7±24.2 pg/mL respectively, P = 0.046) and serum phosphorus was also higher in non-survivors (6.2±2.1 mg/dL vs. 4.6±1.6 mg/dL, P = 0.019). However, on multivariate regression analysis, accounting for age and APACHE II score, higher levels of 1,25(OH)₂D was not associated with mortality in critically ill patients with AKI.

CONCLUSION

Mineral metabolism is dysregulated within days of acute renal injury in critically ill patients. On univariate analysis, high levels of calcitriol were associated with adverse clinical outcome in AKI. This association was not apparent after adjusting for age and APACHE II. Large controlled studies are needed to confirm these results, and determine if higher 1,25(OH)₂D mediates worse outcomes in AKI.

A low fractional excretion of Phosphate/Fgf23 ratio is associated with severe abdominal Aortic calcification in stage 3 and 4 kidney disease patients

BACKGROUND

Vascular calcification (VC) contributes to high mortality rates in chronic kidney disease (CKD). High serum phosphate and FGF23 levels and impaired phosphaturic response to FGF23 may affect VC. Therefore, their relative contribution to abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was examined in patients CKD stages 3-4.

METHODS

Potential risk factors for AAC, measured by the Kauppila Index (KI), were studied in 178 patients.

RESULTS

In multivariate linear analysis, AAC associated positively with age, male gender, CKD-stage, presence of carotid plaques (CP) and also with FGF23, but negatively with fractional excretion of phosphate (FEP). Intriguingly, FEP increased with similar slopes with elevations in PTH, with reductions in GFR, and also with elevations in FGF23 but the latter only in patients with none (KI = 0) or mild (KI = 1-5) AAC. Lack of a FEP-FGF23 correlation in patients with severe AAC (KI > 5) suggested a role for an impaired phosphaturic response to FGF23 but not to PTH in AAC. Logistic and zero-inflated analysis confirmed the independent association of age, CKD stage, male gender and CP with AAC, and also identified a threshold FEP/FGF23 ratio of 1/3.9, below which the chances for a patient of presenting severe AAC increased by 3-fold. Accordingly, KI remained unchanged as FEP/FGF23 ratios decreased from 1/1 to 1/3.9 but markedly increased in parallel with further reductions in FEP/FGF23 < 1/3.9.

CONCLUSIONS

In CKD 3-4, an impaired phosphaturic response to FGF23 with FEP/FGF23 < 1/3.9 associates with severe AAC independently of age, gender or CP.

BRCA1 loss activates cathepsin L-mediated degradation of 53BP1 in breast cancer cells

Cathepsin L degrades 53BP1 to overcome genomic instability and growth arrest in BRCA1-deficient and triple-negative breast cancers.

Loss of 53BP1 rescues BRCA1 deficiency and is associated with BRCA1-deficient and triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) and with resistance to genotoxic drugs. The mechanisms responsible for decreased 53BP1 transcript and protein levels in tumors remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that BRCA1 loss activates cathepsin L (CTSL)–mediated degradation of 53BP1. Activation of this pathway rescued homologous recombination repair and allowed BRCA1-deficient cells to bypass growth arrest. Importantly, depletion or inhibition of CTSL with vitamin D or specific inhibitors stabilized 53BP1 and increased genomic instability in response to radiation and poly(adenosine diphosphate–ribose) polymerase inhibitors, compromising proliferation. Analysis of human breast tumors identified nuclear CTSL as a positive biomarker for TNBC, which correlated inversely with 53BP1. Importantly, nuclear levels of CTSL, vitamin D receptor, and 53BP1 emerged as a novel triple biomarker signature for stratification of patients with BRCA1-mutated tumors and TNBC, with potential predictive value for drug response. We identify here a novel pathway with prospective relevance for diagnosis and customization of breast cancer therapy.

Incubation of metanephroi with vitamin d(3) increases numbers of glomeruli

To characterize actions of vitamin D3 on metanephroi transplanted from rat embryos to adult recipients, we incubated metanephroi with or without 0.01, 0.1 or 1 ug/ml vitamin D3, 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) [25(OH)D(3)] or 1, 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)2D(3)] prior to implantation. The number of glomeruli in developed metanephroi three weeks post-transplantation that had been incubated with 1.0 ug/ml vitamin D(3) was increased relative to the number in metanephroi that were not incubated with vitamin D(3) (control), an effect that was not recapitulated by administration of vitamin D(3) directly to hosts at the time of transplantation. Incubation of metanephroi with 1.0 ug/ml vitamin D(3) also enhanced inulin clearances of metanephroi measured at 12 weeks post-transplantation. The hydroxylated derivative of vitamin D(3), 25(OH)D(3), increased glomerulus number when applied at 0.01 ug/ml but not at higher concentrations, while the twice-hydroxylated derivative 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), failed to increase glomerulus number at any concentration tested. We conclude that incubation with vitamin D(3) prior to implantation enhances inulin clearance possibly by increasing the number of glomeruli that develop post-transplantation.Our findings suggest the vitamin D(3) effect is mediated locally.

Vitamin D in chronic kidney disease

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism contribute to the development of mineral and skeletal disorders, elevations in parathyroid hormone (PTH), hypertension, systemic inflammation, renal and cardiovascular damage. CKD induces a progressive loss of the capacity of the kidney not only to convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] to circulating calcitriol, the vitamin D hormone, but also to maintain serum 25(OH)D levels for non-renal calcitriol synthesis. The resulting calcitriol and 25(OH)D deficiency associates directly with accelerated disease progression and death. This chapter presents our understanding of the pathophysiology behind 25(OH)D and calcitriol deficiency in CKD, of the adequacy of current recommendations for vitamin D supplementation and PTH suppression, and of potential markers of renal and cardiovascular lesions unrelated to PTH suppression, a knowledge required for the design of trials to obtain evidence-based recommendations for vitamin D and calcitriol replacement that improve outcomes at all stages of CKD.

A new pathway that regulates 53BP1 stability implicates cathepsin L and vitamin D in DNA repair

Genomic instability due to telomere dysfunction and defective repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) is an underlying cause of ageing-related diseases. 53BP1 is a key factor in DNA DSBs repair and its deficiency is associated with genomic instability and cancer progression. Here, we uncover a novel pathway regulating the stability of 53BP1. We demonstrate an unprecedented role for the cysteine protease Cathepsin L (CTSL) in the degradation of 53BP1. Overexpression of CTSL in wild-type fibroblasts leads to decreased 53BP1 protein levels and changes in its cellular distribution, resulting in defective repair of DNA DSBs. Importantly, we show that the defects in DNA repair associated with 53BP1 deficiency upon loss of A-type lamins are due to upregulation of CTSL. Furthermore, we demonstrate that treatment with vitamin D stabilizes 53BP1 and promotes DNA DSBs repair via inhibition of CTSL, providing an as yet unsuspected link between vitamin D action and DNA repair. Given that CTSL upregulation is a hallmark of cancer and progeria, regulation of this pathway could be of great therapeutic significance for these diseases.

Vitamin D inhibition of TACE and prevention of renal osteodystrophy and cardiovascular mortality

In the course of kidney disease, the progressive loss of renal capacity to maintain normal serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) is a main contributor to parathyroid hyperplasia and high serum PTH. High PTH causes mineral and skeletal abnormalities predisposing to ectopic calcifications and increased mortality. Intriguingly, replacement therapy with 1,25(OH)2D or its less calcemic analogs was recently shown to improve survival in kidney disease patients through renal and cardiovascular protective actions that are independent of PTH suppression. This work presents preliminary evidence that 1,25(OH)2D inhibition of TACE (Tumor necrosis factor Alpha Converting Enzyme) is a potential common mechanism underlying the efficacy of therapy with 1,25(OH)2D or its analogs to improve outcomes in chronic kidney disease. 1,25(OH)2D prevents/moderates not only the onset and progression of parathyroid TACE/TGFalpha-driven secondary hyperparathyroidism, but, more significantly, renal TACE/TGFalpha-driven fibrotic and inflammatory lesions to the renal parenchyma, and TACE/TNFalpha-driven systemic inflammation, which is known to aggravate renal and cardiovascular lesions and enhance the risk of vascular calcification and cardiovascular mortality.

Pathogenesis of parathyroid hyperplasia in renal failure

In chronic kidney disease, secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPTH) is characterized by parathyroid hyperplasia and enhanced synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Elevated PTH levels cause renal osteodistrophy and cardiovascular complications, with significantly increased morbidity and mortality in renal failure. The three main direct causes of renal HPTH are hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia and vitamin D deficiency. A link between the mechanisms controlling proliferation and hormonal production also exists in normal parathyroid cells which respond to the stimulus of chronic hypocalcemia, not only by an increase in PTH release but also with a consequent parathyroid cell proliferation. The mechanisms responsible for this link, however, remain poorly understood. In this review, we analyze the current understanding concerning the new insights into the molecular mechanisms of parathyroid hyperplasia and PTH secretion in renal failure regulated by calcium, phosphate and vitamin D.

Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D disorders in uremia

BACKGROUND

Alterations in calcium, phosphate (P) and vitamin D metabolism play a critical role in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH), parathyroid hyperplasia and soft tissue and vascular calcification.

METHODOLOGY

Studies were performed in uremic dogs and rats fed a low and high P diet over a period of 1-4 months. In addition, in vitro studies were performed in normal parathyroid glands incubated in culture media containing 0.2 mM P (low) or 2.0 mM P (high).

RESULTS

Uremic rats maintained on a low P diet did not develop SH or parathyroid hyperplasia. There was an enhancement of p21, the suppressor of the cell cycle, in these parathyroid glands. Opposite results were obtained using a high P diet. There was an enhancement of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor, known enhancers of cell proliferation. In vitro studies demonstrated the direct effect of P on parathyroid hormone secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Early dietary P restriction prevents the development of SH and parathyroid hyperplasia. If dietary P restriction is applied to rats with established SH, there is a significant amelioration of SH and parathyroid hyperplasia. In addition, control of serum P in uremic patients is crucial in the prevention of vascular calcification.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D downregulation of TGFalpha/EGFR expression and growth signaling: a mechanism for the antiproliferative actions of the sterol in parathyroid hyperplasia of renal failure

Elevated serum levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality in renal failure patients. Parathyroid gland hyperplasia is a major cause of high serum PTH. The present studies used the rat model of renal failure to address the mechanisms underlying uremia-induced parathyroid hyperplasia and the antiproliferative properties of vitamin D therapy (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) or its less calcemic analogs). Enhanced TGFalpha/EGFR co-expression is the major mitogenic signal in uremic parathyroid glands. At early stages of renal failure, vitamin D therapy efficiently counteracts uremia- and high phosphorus-induced hyperplasia by inhibiting the increases in parathyroid-TGFalpha/EGFR co-expression. In established hyperparathyroidism, characterized by highly enhanced-TGFalpha/EGFR co-expression, vitamin D therapy arrests growth by suppressing EGFR-growth signals from the plasma membrane and nuclear EGFR actions as a transactivator of the cyclin D1 gene, an important contributor to parathyroid hyperplasia in humans. In advanced renal failure, reduced-parathyroid vitamin D receptor levels limits the antiproliferative efficacy of vitamin D therapy. However, non-antiproliferative doses of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D enhance the anti-EGFR actions of EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). In fact, combined 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D/TKI therapy inhibits parathyroid hyperplasia more efficiently than phosphorus restriction, the most powerful promoter of parathyroid growth arrest available at present.

1alpha-Hydroxylase transactivation by gamma-interferon in murine macrophages requires enhanced C/EBPbeta expression and activation

gamma-Interferon [gamma-IFN] induction of macrophage 1alpha-hydroxylase mRNA and activity causes severe hypercalcemia in granulomatous disorders. These studies demonstrate transcriptional regulation. gamma-IFN induces the activity of the murine 1alpha-hydroxylase [-1651; +22] promoter in the murine macrophage cell line Raw 264.7 only after a 24h exposure. This slow kinetics is incompatible with classical gamma-IFN-mediated transactivation. In fact, gamma-IFN response mapped to the minimal [-85; +11] promoter, which lacks GAS or ISRE sites but contains a putative C/EBPbeta site. C/EBPbeta is a gamma-IFN inducible gene and a novel mediator of gamma-IFN-regulated transcription. As expected for a C/EBPbeta-driven transcription, ectopic C/EBPbeta expression was sufficient to increase 1alpha-hydroxylase activity, enhance minimal promoter activity and potentiate the induction of this promoter by gamma-IFN. Importantly, the dominant negative C/EBPbeta isoform antagonized C/EBPbeta-transcriptional activity. gamma-IFN induction of C/EBPbeta expression is not sufficient for gamma-IFN induction of minimal promoter activity. There is also a cell-specific induction of C/EBPbeta-transcriptional activity by gamma-IFN. In Raw cells, specific inhibition of gamma-IFN induction of endogenous-C/EBPbeta phosphorylation by MEKK1 markedly reduced basal promoter activity and the response to gamma-IFN. We conclude that gamma-IFN-induction of C/EBPbeta expression and activation by phosphorylation contributes to gamma-IFN-transcriptional control of 1alpha-hydroxylase expression in murine macrophages.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D down-regulates cell membrane growth- and nuclear growth-promoting signals by the epidermal growth factor receptor

1,25(OH)(2)D(3) antiproliferative properties are widely known. However, the molecular bases of these properties are only partially elucidated. Since 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) effectively arrests growth in many tumors and hyperplastic tissues whose growth is driven by co-expression of EGFR and its ligand TGF-alpha, it was hypothesized that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) could affect the TGF-alpha/EGFR-autocrine growth loop. This study examined 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) regulation of EGFR-growth signals, using human epidermoid A431 cells, in which the overexpression of EGFR and TGF-alpha constitute the major autocrine mitogenic signal. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibited autocrine and EGF-induced A431 cell proliferation. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) changed the cellular localization of both TGF-alpha and EGFR and inhibited ligand-dependent phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK1/2. In addition, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) impaired autocrine and EGF-induced nuclear translocation of activated EGFR and, consequently, its binding to AT-rich DNA sequences and transcriptional activation of the cyclin D1 promoter. These results demonstrate that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) alters EGFR membrane trafficking and down-regulates EGFR growth signaling.

Role of phosphorus in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SH) and hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands (PTG) are universal complications in patients with CRF. In early renal failure, reduction in serum calcitriol and moderate decreases in ionized calcium contribute to greater synthesis and secretion of PTH. As renal disease progresses, a reduction in parathyroid expression of vitamin D receptor and calcium receptor renders the PTG more resistant to both calcitriol and calcium. High dietary phosphorus (P), independent of calcium and calcitriol, further enhances uremia-induced PTG hyperplasia and PTH synthesis and secretion, the latter by posttranscriptional mechanisms. Once SH develops, dietary P restriction can return the high serum PTH levels toward normal, however, parathyroid hyperplasia persists. Studies in our laboratory identified 2 of the mechanisms involved in the opposing effects of high and low dietary P content on PTG growth. Whereas high dietary P increases parathyroid expression of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha), a growth promoter, P restriction induces the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, an inducer of growth arrest. Both effects of P are specific for the PTG. No increase in either protein was observed in liver or intestine. TGFalpha induction of hyperplasia involves binding to the epidermal growth factor receptor and activation of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases cascades. p21 blocks progression through the cycle and cell division by inactivating cyclin/cyclin-dependent kinase complexes. Preventing hyperphosphatemia and elevated Ca x P product in renal failure not only ameliorates the progression of SH and bone disease but also the morbidity and mortality resulting from vascular calcification.

A novel mechanism for skeletal resistance in uremia

BACKGROUND

In treating secondary hyperparathyroidism, the target level of serum intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) should be three to five times normal to prevent adynamic bone disease. In circulation, there is a non-(1-84) PTH-truncated fragment, likely 7-84, which, in addition to PTH 1-84, is measured by most I-PTH immunoradiometric (IRMA) assays, giving erroneously high I-PTH values. We have developed a new IRMA assay in which the labeled antibody recognizes only the first six amino acids of the PTH molecule. Thus, this new IRMA assay (Whole PTH) measures only the biologically active 1-84 PTH molecule.

METHODS

Using this new IRMA assay (Whole PTH) and the Nichols "intact" PTH assay, we compared the ability of each assay to recognize human PTH (hPTH) 1-84 and hPTH 7-84 and examined the percentage of non-1-84 PTH in circulation and in parathyroid glands. Possible antagonistic effects of the 7-84 PTH fragment on the biological activity of 1-84 PTH in rats were also tested.

RESULTS

In 28 uremic patients, PTH values measured with the Nichols assay, representing a combined measurement of both hPTH 1-84 and hPTH 7-84, were 34% higher than with the Whole assay (hPTH 1-84 only); the median PTH was 523 versus 318 pg/mL (P < 0.001). Similar results were found in 14 renal transplant patients. In osteoblast-like cells, ROS 17.2, 1-84 PTH (10-8 mol/L) increased cAMP from 18.1 +/- 1.25 to 738 +/- 4.13 mmol/well. Conversely, the same concentration of 7-84 PTH had no effect. In parathyroidectomized rats fed a calcium-deficient diet, 7-84 PTH was not only biologically inactive, but had antagonistic effects on 1-84 PTH in bone. Plasma calcium was increased (0.65 mg/dL) two hours after 1-84 PTH treatment, while 7-84 PTH had no effect. When 1-84 PTH and 7-84 PTH were given simultaneously in a 1:1 molar ratio, the calcemic response to 1-84 PTH was decreased by 94%. In normal rats, the administration of 1-84 PTH increased renal fractional excretion of phosphate (11.9 to 27.7%, P < 0.001). However, when 1-84 PTH and 7-84 PTH were given simultaneously, the 7-84 PTH decreased the phosphaturic response by 50.2% (P < 0.005). Finally, in surgically excised parathyroid glands from six uremic patients, we found that 44.1% of the total intracellular PTH was the non-PTH (1-84), most likely PTH 7-84.

CONCLUSION

In patients with chronic renal failure, the presence of high circulating levels of non-1-84 PTH fragments (most likely 7-84 PTH) detected by the "intact" assay and the antagonistic effects of 7-84 PTH on the biological activity of 1-84 PTH explain the need of higher levels of "intact" PTH to prevent adynamic bone disease.

Pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism

Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a universal complication in patients with chronic renal failure. Hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands is typically seen in these patients. In early renal failure, alteration in vitamin metabolism, decreased levels of calcitriol and moderate decreases in ionized calcium may allow greater synthesis and secretion of PTH. As the disease progresses, there is a decrease in the number of vitamin D receptors (VDR) and calcium receptors (CaR). The decreased number of VDR and CaR makes the parathyroid glands more resistant to calcitriol and calcium. Phosphorus induces hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands independent of calcium and calcitriol, and by a post-transcriptional mechanism increases PTH synthesis and secretion. Experimental work in uremic rats demonstrated that if the animals are fed a high-phosphorus diet, they not only developed secondary hyperparathyroidism but parathyroid cell hyperplasia. If the diet is then reduced in phosphorus, the levels of PTH return to normal. However, the parathyroid cell hyperplasia persists and no apoptosis is seen. Thus, the control of the three most important factors, calcium, calcitriol and phosphorus, is critical to prevent the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism and hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands.

New analogs of vitamin D3

Calcitriol, the most active metabolite of vitamin D, controls parathyroid gland growth and suppresses the synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). However, because of its potent effects on intestinal calcium absorption and bone mobilization, calcitriol treatment can induce hypercalcemia, often precluding its use at therapeutic doses. Hyperphosphatemia is also a persistent problem among patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis and can be aggravated by therapeutic doses of calcitriol. Several pharmaceutical companies were able to modify the side-chain of the 1,25(OH)2D3, allowing some of these new analogs to retain the action on the parathyroid glands while decreasing their hypercalcemic and hyperphosphatemic effects. The structure-activity relationship for ligand-mediated transcriptional regulation has been studied in detail. In some analogs the serum binding protein (DBP) plays a key role in determining the pharmacokinetics of the vitamin D compound. The affinity to DBP for 22-oxacalcitriol (OCT), an analog of calcitriol for the treatment of secondary hyperparathryoidism, is approximately 300-400 times lower than that of calcitriol and the analog is rapidly cleared from the circulation. The mechanisms for the selectivity of 19-nor-1,25(OH)2D2 (paricalcitol) (Zemplar) another analog of calcitriol, is clearly different from OCT. Although the mechanisms of action is not completely known, it does appear that paricalcitol down-regulates the VDR in the intestine. It is likely that the unique biological profiles of vitamin D analogs in vivo are due to multiple mechanisms. Understanding the molecular basis of the analog selectivity will not only provide an explanation for their unique actions but allow intelligent design of more effective analogs in the future.

Vitamin D

The vitamin D endocrine systems plays a critical role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. The active form of vitamin D, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)], binds with high affinity to a specific cellular receptor that acts as a ligand-activated transcription factor. The activated vitamin D receptor (VDR) dimerizes with another nuclear receptor, the retinoid X receptor (RXR), and the heterodimer binds to specific DNA motifs (vitamin D response elements, VDREs) in the promoter region of target genes. This heterodimer recruits nuclear coactivators and components of the transcriptional preinitiation complex to alter the rate of gene transcription. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) also binds to a cell-surface receptor that mediates the activation of second messenger pathways, some of which may modulate the activity of the VDR. Recent studies with VDR-ablated mice confirm that the most critical role of 1, 25(OH)(2)D(3) is the activation of genes that control intestinal calcium transport. However, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) can control the expression of many genes involved in a plethora of biological actions. Many of these nonclassic responses have suggested a number of therapeutic applications for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and its analogs.

The role of phosphorus in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid cell proliferation in chronic renal failure

Hyperplasia of the parathyroid glands and high levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) are among the most consistent findings in patients with chronic renal failure. In early renal failure, alterations in vitamin D metabolism play a key role in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Low levels of calcitriol and decreased expression of the vitamin D responsive element may allow greater synthesis and secretion of PTH. Phosphorus independent of serum calcium and calcitriol increases PTH synthesis and secretion by a post-transcriptional mechanism. Studies in vivo in uremic rats demonstrated that an increase in dietary phosphorus induces parathyroid gland hyperplasia. If the rats are then fed a low-phosphorus diet, the levels of serum PTH return to normal; however, the size of the parathyroid glands remains enlarged. No apoptosis was observed in the glands. To further characterize the effects of phosphorus on PTH synthesis and secretion, intact rat parathyroid glands were metabolically labeled during a 4-hour incubation in methionine-free medium containing 1.25 mM Ca2+, [35S]methionine, and either 2.8 mM or 0.2 mM phosphorus. Total PTH secretion, as measured in the medium, was increased more than 6-fold in glands incubated in high-phosphorus medium compared with glands incubated in the low-phosphorus medium. Thus, in the past 20 years, numerous investigators have provided strong evidence for the action of phosphorus on PTH secretion. Unfortunately, the absence of a parathyroid cell line is slowing the progress in understanding the molecular mechanism(s) involved in phosphorus regulation of PTH.