VDR Expression (vdr + expression)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Human Muscle Tissue Decreases With Age,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004
HA Bischoff-Ferrari
Abstract Intracellular 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in human skeletal muscle tissue. However, it is unknown whether VDR expression in vivo is related to age or vitamin D status, or whether VDR expression differs between skeletal muscle groups. Introduction: We investigated these factors and their relation to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in freshly removed human muscle tissue. Materials and Methods: We investigated biopsy specimens of the gluteus medius taken at surgery from 20 female patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (mean age, 71.6 ± 14.5; 72% > 65 years) and biopsy specimens of the transversospinalis muscle taken at surgery from 12 female patients with spinal operations (mean age, 55.2 ± 19.6; 28% > 65 years). The specimens were obtained by immunohistological staining of the VDR using a monoclonal rat antibody to the VDR (Clone no. 9A7). Quantitative VDR expression (number of VDR positive nuclei) was assessed by counting 500 nuclei per specimen and person. Serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were assessed at day of admission to surgery. Results: All muscle biopsy specimens stained positive for VDR. In the univariate analyses, increased age was associated with decreased VDR expression (r = 0.5: p = 0.004), whereas there were no significant correlations between VDR expression and 25-hydroxyvitamin D or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. VDR expression did not differ between patients with hip and spinal surgery. In the multivariate analysis, older age was a significant predictor of decreased VDR expression after controlling biopsy location (gluteus medius or the transversospinalis muscle), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (linear regression analysis: ,-estimate = ,2.56; p = 0.047). Conclusions: Intranuclear immunostaining of the VDR was present in muscle biopsy specimens of all orthopedic patients. Older age was significantly associated with decreased VDR expression, independent of biopsy location and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. [source]


Increasing Expression of the Retinoic X Receptor-B During Malignant Melanoma Progression

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
S.J. McAlhany
Retinoic X receptor-b (RXR-b) is a heterodimerization partner for vitamin D receptor (VDR). 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 activation of VDR leads to growth inhibition in numerous cell lines, including some melanoma lines. Evaluation of VDR and RXR-b expression in vivo in melanocytic neoplasms will increase our understanding of this pathways potential role in growth control. Previous studies in our laboratory showed decreased VDR expression in superficially invasive melanoma, and progressive loss of expression in deeply invasive melanomas and metastatic melanomas (MET). We next sought to evaluate RXR-b expression. Twenty-eight melanocytic neoplasms including 8 melanomas in situ (MIS), 9 primary invasive melanomas (PIM), and 11 MET were evaluated for RXR-b expression by immunohistochemistry. Nuclear labeling was assessed as 0 (0%), 1+(<5%), 2+(>5% but <50%), or 3+(>=50%). A significant increase in RXR-b expression from low (0,1+) to high (>1+) was found when comparing MIS to PIM and MET (chi2 p < 0.05). These data suggest: 1) potential loss of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induced growth inhibition during melanoma progression may be due to decreased VDR expression without concomitant loss of RXR-b; and 2) increased RXR-b expression during melanoma progression may offer selective advantage through alternative signaling pathways. [source]


Analysis of the vitamin D system in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2004
Jörg Reichrath
Background:, Increasing evidence points at an important function of vitamin D metabolites for growth regulation in various tissues, and new vitamin D analogs are interesting candidates for the treatment of malignancies, including squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Methods:, We have analyzed expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR), vitamin D-25-hydroxylase (25-OHase), 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1,-hydroxylase (1,-OHase), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) in SCC. Results:, Intensity of VDR immunoreactivity was increased in SCCs as compared to normal human skin. VDR staining did not correlate with histological type or grading, nor with markers for proliferation, differentiation, or apoptotic cells. Incubation of SCC cell lines (SCL-1, SCL-2) with calcitriol resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of cell proliferation (approximately up to 30%) in vitro, as measured by a tetrazolium salt (WST-1)-based colorimetric assay. RNA levels for VDR, 25-OHase, 1,-OHase, and 24-OHase were significantly elevated in SCCs as compared to HS, as measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Conclusions:, Our findings demonstrate that modulation of VDR expression and local synthesis or metabolism of vitamin D metabolites may be of importance for growth regulation of SCCs. Additionally, SCCs represent potential targets for therapy with new vitamin D analogs that exert little calcemic side effects or for pharmacological modulation of calcitriol synthesis/metabolism in these tumors. [source]