1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-induced down-regulation of the checkpoint proteins, Chk1 and Claspin, is mediated by the pocket proteins p107 and p130

A previous cDNA microarray analysis in murine MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts revealed a cluster of genes involved in cell cycle progression that was significantly down-regulated after a single treatment with 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] [L. Verlinden, G. Eelen, I. Beullens, M. Van Camp, P. Van Hummelen, K. Engelen, R. Van Hellemont, K. Marchal, B. De Moor, F. Foijer, H. Te Riele, M. Beullens, M. Bollen, C. Mathieu, R. Bouillon, A. Verstuyf, Characterization of the condensin component Cnap1 and protein kinase Melk as novel E2F target genes down-regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, J. Biol. Chem. 280 (45) (2005) 37319-37330]. Among those genes were the DNA replication and DNA damage checkpoint proteins, Chk1 and Claspin, of which the human homologues were recently shown to be E2F-responsive. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments in 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-treated MC3T3-E1 cells confirmed the down-regulation observed in the microarray experiment. Moreover, Chk1 and Claspin promoter activities were also reduced after incubation with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), and this reduction was mediated through the E2F recognition motifs within their promoters because mutation of these motifs almost completely abolished the repressive effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). The antiproliferative effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) as well as its potential to down-regulate the expression of Chk1 and Claspin depended on the pocket proteins p107 and p130 because 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) lost its antiproliferative action and failed to repress these E2F-target genes in p107(-/-);p130(-/-)-cells, but not in pRb(-/-)-cells.     

Role of Vitamin D3 Receptor in the Synergistic Differentiation of WEHI-3B Leukemia Cells by Vitamin D3 and Retinoic Acid

WEHI-3B D⁻ cells differentiate in response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25-(OH)₂D₃) but not to all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) or other inducing agents. Combinations of RA with 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ interact to produce synergistic differentiation of WEHI-3B D⁻ cells. To determine factors involved in the synergistic interaction, expression of the 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ receptor (VDR) and retinoid receptors, RARα and RXRα, was measured. No VDR was detected in untreated WEHI-3B D⁻ cells; however, RA and 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ when used as single agents caused a slight induction of the VDR and in combination produced a marked increase in the VDR. In contrast, no changes in RARα and RXRα were initiated by these compounds. An RAR-selective agonist combined with 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ produced synergistic differentiation of WEHI-3B D⁻ cells, whereas an RXR-selective agonist did not. To gain information on the role of the VDR in the synergistic interaction, the VDR gene was transferred into WEHI-3B D⁺ cells, in which no VDR was detected and no synergism was produced. Expression of the VDR conferred differentiation responsiveness to 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ in WEHI-3B D⁺ cells. These findings suggest that (a) induction of VDR expression is a key component in the synergistic differentiation induced by 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ and RA and (b) RAR and not RXR must be activated for enhanced induction of the VDR and for the synergistic differentiation produced by RA and 1,25-(OH)₂D₃.     

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulates colony formation of chick embryo chondrocytes in soft agar

The effect of vitamin D metabolites on the growth of chick embryo chondrocytes in soft agar was examined. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃]at 10⁻⁸-10⁻⁷ M induced colony formation by chick embryo chondrocytes in soft agar in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ increased the number of colonies in the presence of a maximal dose of basic fibroblast growth factor, a potent mitogen for chondrocytes in soft agar. However, 24R,25 (OH)₂D₃ and other metabolites had little effect on the soft agar growth of chondrocytes in the presence or absence of basic fibroblast growth factor. These results suggest that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ is an active metabolite which may be involved in supporting cartilage growth.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a 3-positon epimer of 1α,25-dihydroxy-2β-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D3 (ED-71)

1α,25-Dihydroxy-2β-(3-hydroxypropoxy)vitamin D₃ (ED-71), an analog of active vitamin D₃, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃], possesses a hydroxypropoxy substituent at the 2β-position of 1,25(OH)₂D₃. ED-71 has potent biological effects on bone and is currently under phase III clinical studies for bone fracture prevention. It is well-known that the synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) is regulated by 1,25(OH)₂D₃. Interestingly, during clinical development of ED-71, serum intact PTH in osteoporotic patients did not change significantly upon treatment with ED-71. The reason remains unclear, however. Brown et al. reported that 3-epi-1,25(OH)₂D₃, an epimer of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ at the 3-position, shows equipotent and prolonged activity compared to 1,25(OH)₂D₃ at suppressing PTH secretion. Since ED-71 has a bulky hydroxypropoxy substituent at the 2-position, epimerization at the adjacent and sterically hindered 3-position might be prevented, which may account for its weak potency in PTH suppression observed in clinical studies. We have significant interest in ED-71 epimerization at the 3-position and the biological potency of 3-epi-ED-71 in suppressing PTH secretion. In the present studies, synthesis of 3-epi-ED-71 and investigations of in vitro suppression of PTH using bovine parathyroid cells are described. The inhibitory potency of vitamin D₃ analogs were found to be 1,25(OH)₂D₃ > ED-71 ≥ 3-epi-1,25(OH)₂D₃  3-epi-ED-71. ED-71 and 3-epi-ED-71 showed weak activity towards PTH suppression in our assays.     

Increased biological potency of hexafluorinated analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on bovine parathyroid cells

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25-(OH)₂D₃) is known to be involved in regulating the proliferation of parathyroid cells and PTH synthesis through reactions involving its nuclear receptor. We evaluated the effects of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ and its hexafluorinated analog, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃), on parathyroid cells. The 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ and 26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃ each inhibited [³H]thymidine incorporation and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, which is important in cell proliferation, in primary cultured bovine parathyroid cells. The inhibitory effect of 26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃ on PTH secretion from parathyroid cells was significantly more potent than that of 1,25-(OH)₂D ₃ between 10⁻¹¹ M and 10⁻⁸ M. Study of 26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃ metabolism in parathyroid cells in vitro elucidated its slower degradation than that of 1,25-(OH)₂D₃. After 48 h of incubation with [1β-³H]26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃, two HPLC peaks, one for [1β-³H]26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃, and a second larger peak for [1β-³H]26,27-F₆-1,23(S),25-(OH)₃D₃, were detected. No metabolites were detected after the same period of incubation with 1,25-(OH)₂[26,27-³H]D₃. We observed that 26,27-F₆-1,23(S),25-(OH)₃D₃ was as potent as 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ in inhibiting the proliferation of parathyroid cells.Data suggest that the greater biological activity of 26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃ is explained by its slower metabolisms and by the retention of the biological potency of 26,27-F₆-1,25-(OH)₂D₃ even after 23(S)-hydroxylation.     

The MRNA expression of the human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor and the c-myc protooncogene in cultured human keratinocytes

Summary The human vitamin D receptor mRNA expression in preconfluent human cultured keratinocytes was upregulated by treatment of these cells with 10^−8 M 1,25(OH)₂D₃ for 24 hours. Additionally, human c-myc mRNA expression was decreased in a dose dependent manner by 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in both preconfluent and confluent cultured human keratinocytes.     

Specificity of the polyclonal antibodies raised against a novel 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-bovine serum albumin conjugate linked through the C-11α position

To obtain a specific antibody for use in 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] immunoassay, a novel hapten-carrier conjugate was prepared by coupling 11α-hemiglutaryloxy-25(OH)D₃ with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Three polyclonal antibodies (Ab₁₁) showing high titer and affinity for 25(OH)D₃ (K_a = 0.96−2.6 × 10⁹ M⁻¹) were elicited in rabbits by repeated immunization with the conjugate. Specificity of the Ab₁₁ was investigated by cross-reactivities with 11 related compounds in a radioimmunoassay using a tritium-labeled antigen and compared with that of conventional antibodies (Ab₃) raised against 25(OH)D₃ 3-hemiglutarate conjugated with BSA. The Ab₃ could not discriminate the A-ring modified metabolites [1,25(OH)₂D₃ (87–290%) and 25(OH)D₃ 3-sulfate (S) (130–180%)], although the cross-reactivities with the side chain modified metabolites were satisfactorily low [24,25(OH)₂D₃ (2.3–7.4%), 25(OH)D₂ (1.1%)]. On the contrary, the Ab₁₁ easily discriminated 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (0.10–2.4%) and 25(OH)D₃ 3S (<0.3%), whereas significant cross-reactivities were found with 24,25(OH)₂D₃ (110–120%) and 25,26(OH)₂D₃ (66–130%) having a dihydroxylated side chain. These results show that the Ab₁₁ are complementary to the A-ring portion of the 25(OH)D₃ molecule which is opposite from the side chain structure recognized by the Ab₃. Thus, the Ab₁₁ will compensate for insufficient specificity of the Ab₃ and are expected to be a useful tool for the pretreatment of biological samples in the development of various analyses of vitamin D metabolites including specific 25(OH)D₃ immunoassays using the Ab₃.     

Clusterin over-expression modulates proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 in prostate cancer cells in vitro

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the majority of western countries. Due to their antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity, vitamin D analogues have been introduced recently as an experimental therapy for prostate cancer. Clusterin (CLU) is a glycoprotein that has two known isoforms generated in human cells. A nuclear form of CLU protein (nCLU) is pro-apoptotic, and a secretory form (sCLU) is pro-survival. In this study, we analyzed whether proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ on LNCaP prostate cancer cells are modulated by expression of sCLU. Using colony forming assay, we studied the effect of treatment with different doses of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁷, 10⁻¹⁰ M) on proliferation of LNCaP cells that were stable transfected and over-express sCLU (LNT-1) as compared to empty vector-transfected cells (LN/C). We also measured apoptosis using TUNEL assay. sCLU over-expression protected against both antiproliferative (30%) and proapoptotic (15%) effects of 1,25(OH)₂D₃, although this effect was statistically not significant. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that expression of sCLU modulates growth regulatory effects of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in prostate cancer indicating that CLU interferes with vitamin D signalling pathways.     

1,25(OH)2D3 Deficiency Induces Colon Inflammation via Secretion of Senescence-Associated Inflammatory Cytokines

Epidemiological studies showed that 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D[1,25(OH)₂D₃] insufficiency appears to be associated with aging and colon cancer while underlying biological mechanisms remain largely unknown. Inflammatory bowel disease is one of the risk factors for colon cancer. In this study, we investigated whether 1,25(OH)₂D₃ deficiency has an impact on the colon of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1α-hydroxylase knockout [Cyp27b1^−/−] mice fed on a rescue diet (high calcium, phosphate, and lactose) from weaning to 10 months of age. We found that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ deficient mice displayed significant colon inflammation phenotypes including shortened colon length, thinned and disordered mucosal structure, and inflammatory cell infiltration. DNA damage, cellular senescence and the production of senescence-associated inflammatory cytokines were also increased significantly in the colon of Cyp27b1^−/−mice. Furthermore, the levels of ROS in the colon were increased significantly, whereas the expression levels of antioxidative genes were down-regulated dramatically in the colon of Cyp27b1^−/−mice. Taken together, our results demonstrated that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ deficiency could induce colon inflammation, which may result from increased oxidative stress and DNA damage, subsequently, induced cell senescence and overproduction of senescence-associated secretory factors. Therefore, our findings suggest that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ may play an important role in preventing the development and progression of colon inflammation and colon cancer.     

Effects of the vitamin D3 analog 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-3β-bromoacetate on rat osteosarcoma cells: Comparison with 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

The actions of the hormonal form of vitamin D, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1α,25-(OH)₂D₃], are mediated by both genomic and nongenomic mechanisms. Several vitamin D synthetic analogs have been developed in order to identify and characterize the site(s) of action of 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ in many cell types including osteoblastic cells. We have compared the effects of 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ and a novel 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ bromoester analog (1,25-(OH)₂-BE) that covalently binds to vitamin D receptors. Rat osteosarcoma cells that possess (ROS 17/2.8) or lack (ROS 24/1) the classic intracellular vitamin D receptor were studied to investigate genomic and nongenomic actions. In ROS 17/2.8 cells plated at low density, the two vitamin D compounds (1 × 10⁻⁸ M) caused increased cell proliferation, as assessed by DNA synthesis and total cell counts. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mitogenic effect of both agents was accompanied by an increase in steady-state osteocalcin mRNA levels, but neither agent altered alkaline phosphatase mRNA levels in ROS 17/2.8 cells. ROS 17/2.8 cells responded to 1,25-(OH)₂-BE but not the natural ligand with a significant increase in osteocalcin secretion after 72, 96, 120, and 144 hr of treatment. Treatment of ROS 17/2.8 cells with the bromoester analog also resulted in a significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase-specific activity. To compare the nongenomic effects of 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ and 1,25-(OH)₂-BE, intracellular calcium was measured in ROS 24/1 cells loaded with the fluorescent calcium indicator Quin 2. At 2 × 10⁻⁸ M, both 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃ and 1,25-(OH)₂-BE increased intracellular calcium within 5 min. Both the genomic and nongenomic actions of 1,25-(OH)₂-BE are similar to those of 1α,25-(OH)₂D₃, and since 1,25-(OH)₂-BE has more potent effects on osteoblast function than the naturally occurring ligand due to more stable binding, this novel vitamin D analog may be useful in elucidating the structure and function of cellular vitamin D receptors. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prostaglandin D2 metabolite stimulates collagen synthesis by human osteoblasts during calcification

We investigate the effect of the prostaglandin D₂ metabolite Δ¹²−PGD₂ (9−Deoxy−Δ⁹, Δ¹²−13,14-dihydroprostaglandin D₂) on collagen synthesis in human osteoblast. Δ¹²-PGJ₂ at 10⁻⁵M enhanced collagen synthesis in the presence of 2 mM α-glycerophosphate-2Na. The stimulative effect appeared as early as 3 days after addition and continued until 22 days. The enhancement of type I collagen synthesis was confirmed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The potency was the same as 10^1t-8M 1 α, 25 dihydroxy vitamine D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃). Northern blot analysis showed that 10⁻⁵M Δ ¹²-PGD₂ and 10⁻⁸M 1,25(OH)₂D₃ enhanced the transcribtion of type 1 procollagen (α₁) mRNA levels in osteoblasts.     

Biphasic action of prostaglandin E2 on conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in chick renal tubules

The effect of PGE₂ on the conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25 OH D₃) to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25- (OH) ₂D₃) by isolated renal tubules from vitamin D deficient chicks was studied under a variety of experimental conditions. In the absence of added vitamin D metabolites, PGE₂ (2 × 10⁻⁶M) caused an immediate inhibition of formation of 1,25-(OH) ₂D₃, followed by a delayed stimulation, apparent after 15 h exposure to PGE₂. Pretreatment of the tubules with 1,25-(OH) ₂D₃ prevented the immediate inhibitory action of PGE₂, and allowed the stimulation to be apparent after 4 h exposure to PGE₂. The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine (IBMX) significantly stimulated the formation of 1,25-(OH) ₂D₃. PGE₂ significantly inhibited 1,25-(OH) ₂D₃ formation in tubules which had been stimulated by IBMX. PGE₂ stimulated the adenylate cyclase activity in a crude particulate fraction from the chick kidney, and raised cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) levels in the renal tubules.It is concluded that PGE₂ can either stimulate or inhibit 1,25-(OH) ₂D₃ formation in chick renal tubules. The stimulatory effect may be partly due to elevation of cyclic AMP. The mechanism of the inhibitory effect requires further investigation.     

Regulation of the CYP27B1 5′-flanking region by transforming growth factor-beta in ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells

The biologically active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃), regulates osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. Production of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ is catalysed by the enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃-1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1). Though highly expressed in the kidney, the CYP27B1 gene is also expressed in non-renal tissues including bone. It is hypothesised that local production of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ by osteoblasts plays an autocrine or paracrine role. The aim of this study was to investigate what factors regulate expression of the CYP27B1 gene in osteoblast cells. ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast cells were transiently transfected with plasmid constructs containing the 5′-flanking sequence of the human CYP27B1 gene fused to a luciferase reporter gene. Cells were treated with either parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25(OH)₂D₃, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and luciferase activity was measured 24 h later. The results showed that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ did not alter expression of the reporter construct, however treatment with PTH, IGF-1 and TGF-β decreased expression by 18, 53 and 58% respectively. The repressive action of TGF-β was isolated to the region between −531 and −305 bp. These data suggest that expression of the 5′-flanking region for the CYP27B1 gene in osteoblast cells may be regulated differently to that previously described in kidney cells.     

The synthesis of [26,27-C]dihydroxyvitamin D3, a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET)

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D₃, an endogenous ligand with the highest affinity for the vitamin D receptor (VDR), was labeled with ¹¹C for use in biological experiments. The radionuclide was incorporated via the reaction of [¹¹C]methyllithium on a methyl ketone precursor in tetrahydrofuran at −10 °C. Deprotection of the labeled intermediate yielded 2.5–3 GBq [26,27-¹¹C]1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [¹¹C-1,25(OH)₂ D₃] with specific radioactivity averaging 100 GBq/μmol at the end of synthesis and HPLC purification. The entire process took 48 min from the end of radionuclide production. In vitro binding experiments in rachitic chick purified VDR demonstrated the high affinity binding of this novel tracer. Thus; ¹¹C-1,25(OH)₂ D₃ is available for in vivo distribution studies and may be suitable for the positron emission tomography (PET) determination of VDR levels and occupancy in animals and humans.     

Tandem immunoaffinity chromatography for plasma 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 utilizing two antibodies having different specificities: A novel and powerful pretreatment tool for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 radioreceptor assays

We report here a novel and powerful pretreatment method for radioreceptor assays (RRAs) for human plasma 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂D₃) based on “Tandem” immunoaffinity chromatography (Tandem IAC). Two antibodies having different specificities were each immobilized on agarose gel with cyanogen bromide to produce immunosorbents which were stable and repeatedly usable. An ethyl ether extract of plasma was applied to the first affinity column, from which 1,25(OH)₂D₃ could be preferentially eluted and separated from 1α-deoxy type metabolites. The effluent was then submitted to the second column, and the 1,25(OH)₂D₃ retained was eluted after non- or weakly-adsorbed interfering substances were washed out. This procedure allowed efficient purification without careful handling or strict time-management in the entire operation and enabled avoiding preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from RRA even with a conventional chick intestinal vitamin D receptor. Mean (± SD) plasma 1,25(OH)₂D₃ values of 56 normal subjects and 10 patients with chronic renal failure, obtained with this Tandem IAC/RRA system, were 36.4 (8.7) and 11.2 (4.0) pg/ml, respectively. The Tandem IAC will also be useful for developing immunoassays or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of 1,25(OH)₂D₃.     

A Role for Interleukin-1 Alpha in the 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Response in Mammary Epithelial Cells

Breast cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy in American women, and better preventative strategies are needed. Epidemiological and laboratory studies point to vitamin D₃ as a promising chemopreventative agent for breast cancer. Vitamin D₃ metabolites induce anti-proliferative effects in breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, but few studies have investigated their effects in normal mammary epithelial cells. We hypothesized that 1,25(OH)₂D₃, the metabolically active form of vitamin D₃, is growth suppressive in normal mouse mammary epithelial cells. In addition, we have previously established a role for the cytokine interleukin-1 alpha (IL1α) in the anti-proliferative effects of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in normal prostate cells, and so we hypothesized that IL1α is involved in the 1,25(OH)₂D₃ response in mammary cells. Evaluation of cell viability, clonogenicity, senescence, and induction of cell cycle regulators p21 and p27 supported an anti-proliferative role for 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in mammary epithelial cells. Furthermore, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ increased the intracellular expression of IL1α, which was necessary for the anti-proliferative effects of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ in mammary cells. Together, these findings support the chemopreventative potential of vitamin D₃ in the mammary gland and present a role for IL1α in regulation of mammary cell proliferation by 1,25(OH)₂D₃.     

Metabolism of 3H-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in cultured human keratinocytes

In the present investigation we studied the metabolism of 1α,25-dihydroxy-[1β-³H] vitamin D₃ (³H-1,25(OH)₂D₃) in culture-grown human keratinocytes (CHK). Our results showed that the cellular uptake of ³H-1,25(OH)₂D₃, upon incubation with CHK, occurred very rapidly; and it paralleled a decrease in the concentration of ³H-1,25(OH)₂D₃ in the medium. The amount of ³H-calcitroic acid, on the other hand, increased slowly in the medium, while the concentration of ³H-calcitroic acid in the cell remained undetectable during the whole period of incubation. When the cells were preincubated with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ (10^?8M), conversion of ³H-1,25(OH)₂D₃ to ³H-calcitroic acid increased almost twofold, indicating that 1,25(OH)₂D₃ catalyzed its own catabolism. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Synergistic anti-proliferative effects of vitamin D derivatives and 9-cis retinoic acid in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

This study examines the effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [1,25(OH)₂D₃], 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ [24,25(OH)₂D₃], two vitamin D analogues (KH 1060 and EB 1089, which are 20-epi-22-oxa and 22,24-diene-analogues, respectively), 9-cis retinoic acid and all-trans retinoic acid on proliferation of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, after treatment for 7 days. Cell number did not change when the cells were incubated with 1, 10 or 100 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or its derivatives, but significantly decreased in the presence of the two retinoids (0.001–10 μM final concentration). A synergistic inhibition was observed, when SH-SY5Y cells were treated combining 0.1 μM 9-cis retinoic acid and 10 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or 10 nM KH 1060, and 1 μM 9-cis retinoic acid and 10 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or 10 nM EB 1089. Acetylcholinesterase activity showed a significant increase, in comparison with controls, after treatment of the cells for 7 days with 0.1 or 1 μM 9-cis retinoic acid, alone or combined with 10 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or 10 nM KH 1060 or 10 nM EB 1089. This increase was synergistic, combining 1 μM 9-cis retinoic acid and 10 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or EB 1089. The levels of the c-myc encoded protein remarkably decreased after treatment of SH-SY5Y cells for 1, 3, 7 days with 0.1 and 1 μM 9-cis retinoic acid, alone or combined with 10 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or 10 nM KH 1060 or 10 nM EB 1089. In particular, the association of 1 μM 9-cis retinoic acid and 10 nM 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or 10 nM EB 1089 resulted in a synergistic c-myc inhibition, in comparison with that obtained in the presence of the retinoid alone. These findings may have therapeutic implications in human neuroblastoma.