The functions of dendritic cells (DCs) are tightly regulated such that protective immune responses are elicited and unwanted immune responses are prevented. 1α25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α25(OH)2D3) has been identified as a major factor that inhibits the differentiation and maturation of DCs, an effect dependent upon its binding to the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). Physiological control of 1α25(OH)2D3 levels is critically dependent upon 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-1α-hydroxylase (1αOHase), a mitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of inactive precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) to the active metabolite 1α25(OH)2D3. Using a human monocyte-derived DC (moDC) model, we have examined the relationship between DC VDR expression and the impact of exposure to its ligand, 1α25(OH)2D3. We show for the first time that moDCs are able to synthesize 1α25(OH)2D3 in vitro as a consequence of increased 1αOHase expression. Following terminal differentiation induced by a diverse set of maturation stimuli, there is marked transcriptional up-regulation of 1αOHase leading to increased 1αOHase enzyme activity. Consistent with this finding is the observation that the development and function of moDCs is inhibited at physiological concentrations of the inactive metabolite 25(OH)D3. In contrast to 1αOHase, VDR expression is down-regulated as monocytes differentiate into immature DCs. Addition of 1α25(OH)2D3 to moDC cultures at different time points indicates that its inhibitory effects are greater in monocyte precursors than in immature DCs. In conclusion, differential regulation of endogenous 1α25(OH)2D3 ligand and its nuclear receptor appear to be important regulators of DC biology and represent potential targets for the manipulation of DC function.

The mitochondrial enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-1 alpha-hydroxylase (1 alpha-hydroxylase) plays an important role in calcium homeostasis by catalyzing synthesis of the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), in the kidney. However, enzyme activity assays indicate that 1 alpha-hydroxylase is also expressed in a variety of extrarenal tissues; recent cloning of cDNAs for 1 alpha-hydroxylase in different species suggests that a similar gene product is found at both renal and extrarenal sites. Using specific complementary ribonucleic acid probes and antisera to 1 alpha-hydroxylase, we have previously reported the distribution of messenger ribonucleic acid and protein for the enzyme along the mouse and human nephron. Here we describe further immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses that detail for the first time the extrarenal distribution of 1 alpha-hydroxylase in both normal and diseased tissues. Specific staining for 1 alpha-hydroxylase was detected in skin (basal keratinocytes, hair follicles), lymph nodes (granulomata), colon (epithelial cells and parasympathetic ganglia), pancreas (islets), adrenal medulla, brain (cerebellum and cerebral cortex), and placenta (decidual and trophoblastic cells). Further studies using psoriatic skin highlighted overexpression of 1 alpha-hydroxylase throughout the dysregulated stratum spinosum. Increased expression of skin 1alpha-hydroxylase was also associated with sarcoidosis. In lymph nodes and skin from these patients 1 alpha-hydroxylase expression was observed in cells positive for the surface antigen CD68 (macrophages). The data presented here confirm the presence of protein for 1 alpha-hydroxylase in several extrarenal tissues, such as skin, placenta, and lymph nodes. The function of this enzyme at novel extrarenal sites, such as adrenal medulla, brain, pancreas, and colon, remains to be determined. However, the discrete patterns of staining in these tissues emphasizes a possible role for 1 alpha-hydroxylase as an intracrine modulator of vitamin D function in peripheral tissues.

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Tissue damage by proinflammatory cytokines is attenuated at both systemic and cellular levels by counter anti-inflammatory factors such as corticosteroids. Target cell responses to corticosteroids are dependent on several factors including prereceptor regulation via local steroidogenic enzymes. In particular, two isozymes of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD), by interconverting hormonally active cortisol (F) to inactive cortisone (E), regulate the peripheral action of corticosteroids 11beta-HSD1 by converting E to F and 11beta-HSD2 by inactivating F to E. In different in vitro and in vivo systems both 11beta-HSD isozymes have been shown to be expressed in osteoblasts (OBs). Using the MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell-line and primary cultures of human OBs, we have studied the regulation of osteoblastic 11beta-HSD isozyme expression and activity by cytokines and hormones with established roles in bone physiology. In MG-63 cells, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) potently inhibited 11beta-HSD2 activity (cortisol-cortisone conversion) and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in a dose-dependent manner while stimulating reciprocal expression of 11beta-HSD1 mRNA and activity (cortisone-cortisol conversion). A similar rise in 11beta-HSD1 reductase activity also was observed in primary cultures of OBs treated with 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha. Pretreatment of MG-63 cells with 0.1 ng/ml IL-1beta resulted in increased cellular sensitivity to physiological glucocorticoids as shown by induction of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (SGK; relative increase with 50 nM F but no IL-1beta pretreatment 1.12 +/- 0.34; with pretreatment 2.63 +/- 0.50; p < 0.01). These results highlight a novel mechanism within bone cells whereby inflammatory cytokines cause an autocrine switch in intracellular corticosteroid metabolism by disabling glucocorticoid inactivation (11beta-HSD2) while inducing glucocorticoid activation (11beta-HSD1). Therefore, it can be postulated that some of the effects of proinflammatory cytokines within bone (e.g., periarticular erosions in inflammatory arthritis) are mediated by this mechanism.

The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ), is a pleiotropic hormone whose actions include the regulation of calcium homeostasis, control of bone cell differentiation and modification of immune responses. Synthesis of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 from the major circulating metabolite, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 (25(OH)D 3 ), is catalysed by a mitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzyme, 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 -hydroxylase (1 -OHase). Although 1 -OHase is expressed predominantly in the kidney, extra-renal production of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 has also been demonstrated in tissues such as lymph nodes and skin. The tight regulation of 1 -OHase which occurs in both renal and peripheral tissues has made studies of the expression and regulation of this enzyme remarkably difficult. However, the recent cloning of mouse, rat and human cDNAs for 1 -OHase (CYP1 /Cyp1 ) has enabled a more thorough characterization of this enzyme. In particular, analysis of the CYP1 gene has identified mutations causing the inherited disorder vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1, also known as pseudo-vitamin D deficiency rickets. Studies from our own group have focused on the distribution of 1 -OHase in both renal and extra-renal tissues. Data indicate that the enzyme is expressed throughout the nephron, suggesting discrete endocrine and paracrine/autocrine functions. Further immunohistochemical analyses have shown that the enzyme is widely distributed in extra-renal tissues, and this appears to be due to the same gene product as the kidney. Collectively, these observations have raised important new questions concerning the role of 1 -OHase in vitamin D signalling at a local level. The relationship between expression of protein for 1 -OHase and enzyme activity has yet to be fully characterized and may be dependent on membrane proteins such as megalin. Similarly, elucidation of the mechanisms involved in differential regulation of renal and extra-renal 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 production will be essential to our understanding of the tissue-specific functions of 1 -OHase. These and other issues are discussed in the current review.

Accelerated medial calcification is a major cause of premature cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Evidence suggests that extracellular concentration of Ca2+ and vascular smooth muscle cells may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed in a range of tissues, but characterization of its expression and function in the cardiovascular system is limited. Here we report the expression of CaSR mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (Western blotting and immunocytochemistry) in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HAoSMC). Treatment of HAoSMC with Ca2+ (0-5 mM; 0-30 min) or the CaSR agonists gentamycin and neomycin (0-300 microM; 0-30 min) resulted in a dose- and time-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Gentamycin- and neomycin-mediated ERK1/2 stimulation was inhibited by pretreatment with PD-98059, an ERK-activating kinase 1 (MEK1) inhibitor, confirming specificity of the observed effects. ERK1/2 activation was inhibited in HAoSMC, with CaSR expression knocked down by transfection with specific small-interference RNA, which confirmed that the observed neomycin/gentamycin-induced MEK1/ERK1/2 activation was mediated via the CaSR. CaSR mRNA and protein were also expressed in large and small arteries from normal subjects (kidney donors) and patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The CaSR was detected in smooth muscle and endothelial cells. Expression was significantly lower in arteries from ESRD patients. In conclusion, these data not only demonstrate the presence of a functional CaSR in human artery but show a correlation between CaSR expression and progression of CKD.

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This novel study demonstrated that ocular barrier epithelial cells express the machinery for vitamin D3 and can produce 1,25(OH)2D3. We suggest that vitamin D3 might have a role in immune regulation and barrier function in ocular barrier epithelial cells.