Metabolism of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 by primary cultures of chick kidney cells

Acute renal failure during sepsis: potential role of cell cycle regulation

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate cell cycle regulation in acute kidney injury after intraperitoneal sepsis in rats.

METHODS

Polymicrobial sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats. At 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after CLP, serum creatinine was evaluated. DNA content of isolated kidney cells was analyzed using flow cytometer. Furthermore, the expression of p21, p53, cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4 and P-pRb was also measured by western blot.

RESULTS

After sepsis-induced by CLP, kidney injury of rat was associated with G1 cell cycle arrest, however, recovery of renal function related to cell cycle progression 48h after CLP. Results also showed that the upregulation of p53 and p21 was correlated with G1 cell arrest in 48h after CLP. Nevertheless, upregulation of cyclin D1/CDK4 and cyclin E/CDK2 induced pRb phosphorylation, which resulted in the G1/S transition 48 h after CLP.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that G1 cell cycle arrest may play a role in the initiation of kidney injury, whereas, through regulating cell cycle, p53, p21, CDKs, cyclins and P-pRb may be involved in the injury or recovery of renal function after intraperitoneal sepsis.

Regulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1alpha-hydroxylase gene expression by parathyroid hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

The conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) takes place mainly in the kidney and is catalyzed by the enzyme 1alpha-hydroxylase. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25-(OH)2D3 are well-known regulators of this tightly controlled step, but the mechanisms by which they modulate 1alpha-hydroxylase activity have not been fully delineated. Northern analysis showed PTH and forskolin rapidly and transiently increase 1alpha-hydroxylase expression in AOK-B50 cells and HKC-8 cells. Actinomycin D treatment blocks the increase, but cycloheximide does not. No decrease of 1alpha-hydroxylase transcript by 1,25-(OH)2D3 was observed in either cell line, although 24-hydroxylase levels were strongly induced by 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment. 1,25-(OH)2D3 suppressed the 1alpha-hydroxylase transcript in vivo both in the presence and absence of exogenously supplied PTH. These results suggest that the stimulatory action of PTH is directly on the 1alpha-hydroxylase gene, while the repressive action of 1,25-(OH)2D3 does not involve the parathyroid gland but is nevertheless indirect.

Local action of phosphate depletion and insulin-like growth factor 1 on in vitro production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D by cultured mammalian kidney cells

The hormonal form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, is synthesized mostly in proximal renal tubular cells. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that the growth hormone may be involved in growth-related fluctuations of plasma 1,25(OH)2D and in the increase of 1,25(OH)2D induced by in vivo phosphate deprivation, an action possibly mediated by insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF 1). We tested the effects of phosphate depletion and IGF 1 addition on 1,25(OH)2D3 production in cultured kidney cells: opossum kidney (OK) cells, LLC-PK 1, and rabbit's proximal tubular cells. Confluent cell monolayers were preincubated in various phosphate concentrations, in the presence and absence of IGF 1. Then, 5 nM of [3H]25 (OH)D3 or 2 microM of 25 (OH)D3 were added to the medium and the cells were incubated for a further 120 min. The amount of biosynthesized 1,25(OH)2D3 in lipid extracts was determined after two different straight phase high performance liquid chromatographies. The experiment showed the following: (a) LLC-PK 1 and rabbit's cells expressed a detectable ability to synthesize 1,25(OH)2D3, while OK cells did not. (b) Partial or total phosphate deprivation increased the amount of 1,25(OH)2D3 produced, respectively in LLC-PK 1 and in rabbit's cells. (c) IGF 1 (25 ng/ml) increased 1,25(OH)2D3 production in rabbit's cells, particularly in phosphate-free medium (1.6-fold), and in LLC-PK 1 cells, in partial phosphate depletion (2.75-fold in 1 mM phosphate, P = 0.015, n = 5, and 3.2-fold in 0.5 mM phosphate, P = 0.043, n = 4). Our findings demonstrate a local action of phosphate depletion and of IGF 1 on 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 production.

The uptake and metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin D binding protein by cultured porcine kidney cells (LLC-PK1)

1. Uptake of 3H-25OHD3, 3H-25OHD3-DBP, 125I-holo-DBP and 125I-apo-DBP by LLC-PK1 cells was linearly related to the concentration of each in the culture media. The presence of DBP in the medium significantly reduced the amount of 3H-25OHD3 taken up by cells. 2. Free 25OHD3 and 25OHD3 bound to DBP were both metabolized by the cells to 24,25(OH)2D3 and an unidentified product of apparent lower polarity than 25OHD3. 3. A significant amount of DBP taken up by the LLC-PK1 cells was metabolized to a TCA-soluble form. 4. Uptake of DBP was similar to horseradish peroxidase, but higher than inulin, indicative of a non-specific endocytic mechanism with an adsorptive component. 5. It is suggested that both free circulating 25OHD3 and that derived from lysosomal degradation of 25OHD3-DBP are available for hydroxylation by the kidney.

Inhibition of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1 alpha-hydroxylase by renal mitochondrial protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation

Partially purified chick kidney mitochondrial Type II protein kinase catalyzes the phosphorylation of 1 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 without affecting the rate of product formation in vitro when 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity is reconstituted by the addition of [ferredoxin] and [ferredoxin reductase] to the phosphorylated cytochrome. The cytochrome's effective concentration, or its general spectral properties did not change upon phosphorylation. However, when the cytochrome and its ferredoxin were present simultaneously during the phosphorylation reaction, reconstitution of 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity by the addition of ferredoxin reductase failed to catalyze product formation. Although a several fold increase in the kinase activity could be demonstrated in the presence of cAMP, the above phosphorylation effects appear to be cAMP-independent.

Impaired stimulation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase in fibroblasts from a patient with vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II. A form of receptor-positive resistance to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3

We describe studies of the molecular defect in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] action in cultured skin fibroblasts from a patient previously reported to have vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II. Binding of [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 in fibroblast cytosol was normal with a Bmax (amount of high affinity binding) of 26 fmol/mg protein and a half-maximal saturation of 0.2 nM. Nuclear binding of [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3 following whole cell uptake was 1.5 fmol/micrograms DNA in patient fibroblasts compared with a range of 0.5-2.9 fmol/micrograms DNA in five control strains. The size of the [3H]1,25-(OH)2D3-receptor complex on sucrose density gradients, 3.8 S, was the same as in normal cells. This patient, therefore, appeared to have a receptor-positive form of resistance to 1,25-(OH)2D3. To document resistance to 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the fibroblasts we developed a method for detection of 1,25-(OH)2D3 action in normal skin fibroblasts. Following treatment of normal cell monolayers with 1,25-(OH)2D3 there was more than a 20-fold increase of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D-24-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase) activity. Treatment of 10 control cell strains with 1,25-(OH)2D3 for 8 h increased the formation of 24,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 from 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in cell sonicates from less than 0.02 to 0.11-0.27 pmol/min per mg protein. When cells from the patient with vitamin D-dependent rickets, type II were treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3 in a similar manner, maximal 24-hydroxylase activity was only 0.02 pmol/min per mg protein, less than a fifth the lower limit of normal. 24-Hydroxylase activity in fibroblasts from the parents of the patient increased normally following treatment with 1,25-(OH)2D3. We conclude that impaired induction of 24-hydroxylase in the presence of normal receptor binding is evidence for postreceptor resistance to the action of 1,25-(OH)2D3.

Vitamin D resistant rickets with alopecia: a form of end organ resistance to 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D

A 4-year-old girl presented with severe clinical and radiological rickets, and alopecia since the age of 1 year. Laboratory studies revealed: hypocalcaemia, hypophosphataemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, abnormally low intestinal calcium absorption, and markedly elevated circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 levels. A normal calcaemic response to parathyroid extract was obtained. Treatment attempts with vitamin D2, 1 alpha (OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 were totally ineffective. Intestinal resistance to the action of 1,25(OH)2D3 appeared well established in this case. Refractoriness of bone to this hormone seems less certain. From this new entity of 'Vitamin D resistant rickets due to end organ unresponsiveness', six cases have been hitherto reported in the literature. However, only two have enough resemblance to our case, to constitute a distinct and well defined nosologic subunit. The molecular basis of this disorder(s) remains to be elucidated.

Stimulation of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol production by prolactin and related peptides in intact renal cell preparations in vitro

Ovine prolactin stimulated the 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity in isolated renal tubules and especially in primary kidney cell cultures, both prepared from vitamin D-deficient chicks. In primary chick kidney cell cultures, treated for 48 h with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (to induce the 24-hydroxylase activity) ovine prolactin, after a 1 h incubation period, stimulated the 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity without affecting the 24-hydroxylase activity. Similar results were obtained with related peptide hormones such as human growth hormone, chicken growth hormone, and human placental lactogen. These observations are discussed in relation to the possible role of these peptide hormones as modulators of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol production in physiological situations of calcium stress, such as pregnancy, lactation, growth in mammals and egg laying in birds.

Effects of 24,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 on its plasma level in man

Small doses of 24,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (24,25(OH)2D3; 2 micrograms daily) given by mouth increased plasma levels of 24,25(OH)2D3 several-fold in normal subjects and in patients with metabolic bone disease. When oral treatment was stopped, or following the intravenous administration of 24,25(OH)2D3, plasma disappearance of 24,25(OH)2D3 was slow (t1/2 approx. 16 days). This suggests that the endogenous production rate of 24,25(OH)2D3 is similar to that of 1,25(OH)2D3 (less than 2 micrograms daily) but that its metabolic clearance is much slower. The slow metabolic clearance of 24,25(OH)2D3 may explain why plasma levels of this metabolite are about 100 times higher than those of 1,25(OH)2D3.

Studies of the chick renal mitochondrial 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 24-hydroxylase

The vitamin D metabolite, 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3, is made from 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 by an enzyme (25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 24-hydroxylase) located in the renal mitochondria of vitamin D and calcium-replete chicks. The apparent Km for 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 for this reaction was found to be 3 x 10(-7) M, although simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics were not observed at the higher substrate concentrations. Enzymatic activity was reduced by the mitochondrial metabolic inhibitors, antimycin A and dinitrophenol, as well as the inhibitors of mixed function oxidases, 2,4-dichloro-6-phenylphenoxyethylamine, 2-diethylaminoethyl-2,2-diphenylvalerate and metyrapone. Increasing the calcium concentration from 0 to 1 x 10(-5) M or the potassium concentration from 0 to 50 mM stimulated enzymatic activity 4- to 8-fold. Increasing the phosphate or acetate concentration from 0 to 50 mM stimulated enzymatic activity 6-fold. Raising the CO2/HCO3(-) content from 0/0 to 10%/10 mM stimulated enzymatic activity 5-fold. The effects of the cations were additive to those of the anions except in the presence of 50 mM phosphate or acetate. The effect of ions on 24,25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 production by renal mitochondria from vitamin D-replete chicks resembles the effect of these ions on production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 by renal mitochondria from vitamin D-deficient chicks, suggesting that the same mechanisms may be utilized.

In vitro metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 by isolated rat kidney cells

Cells were dispersed from rat kidney after enzymatic digestion of the extracellular matrix. When the cells were suspended in a serum-free medium and incubated with (3)H-labeled 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25-OH-D(3)) several polar metabolites, including 1,25-(OH)(2)[(3)H]D(3) and 24,25-(OH)(2)[(3)H]D(3) were produced. The specific activities of the 25-OH-D(3):1- and 24-hydroxylases in isolated rat kidney cells were 10-100 times greater than in avian kidney homogenates. The rates of production of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) and 24,25-(OH)(2)D(3) were linear over a wide range in cell densities (0.65-5.0 x 10(6) cells per ml) and substrate concentrations (3.5-70 nM). The rate of production of 24,25-(OH)(2)[(3)H]D(3) from 25-OH-[(3)H]D(3) by cells isolated from rats fed control diet was linear with time for up to 30 min, while the synthesis of 1,25-(OH)(2)[(3)H]D(3) was linear for over 90 min. The specific activity of the 25-OH-D(3):1-hydroxylase was increased in kidney cells from vitamin D-deficient rats (11.5 fmol/min per 10(6) cells) as well as calcium-deficient rats (8.1 fmol/min per 10(6) cells) when compared to cells from rats fed the control diet (2.0 fmol/min per 10(6) cells). Also, the specific activity of the 25-OH-D(3):24-hydroxylase was reduced in cells from the vitamin D-deficient rats (<0.2 fmol/min per 10(6) cells) and calcium-deficient rats (5.1 fmol/min per 10(6) cells) compared to the controls (15.2 fmol/min per 10(6) cells). On the basis of these results, as well as previous in vivo studies, we conclude that the metabolism of 25-OH-D(3) by freshly isolated rat kidney cells reflects the in vivo activities of the renal vitamin D-metabolizing enzymes and may prove useful as an assay.

Serum-free culture of Japanese quail kidney cells. Regulation of vitamin D metabolism

Cells obtained from male quail kidneys by digestion with collagenase and hyaluronidase were plated and maintained in a chemically defined, serum-free medium. Culture dishes (35 mm) were inoculated with 1.5 . 10(6) cells which became confluent in 5 days. The cells maintained an epithelial-like morphology over the entire culture period. During a 2 h incubation the cells metabolized 25--30% of the 10 nM 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 (25-OH-D-3) provided. Seven metabolites were chromatographically separated on Sephadex LH-20. Three have been identified as 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,25(OH)2D-3), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 (24,25(OH)2D-3) and 1 alpha, 24,25-trihhydroxyvitamin D-3 (1,24,25(OH)3D-3). The activities of the 25-OH-D-3:1 alpha- and 24-hydroxylases increased eight times faster than the cell number in 5 days. Preincubation of the cells with 10 nM 25-OH-D-3 or 1,25(OH)2D-3 decreased 1,25(OH)2D-3 synthesis, and increased both 24,25(OH)2D-3 and metabolite IV synthesis. The decrease in 25-OH-D-3:1 alpha-hydroxylase activity required a 2 h preincubation with 25-OH-D-3, while stimulation of 25-OH-D-3:24-hydroxylase activity and metabolite IV production required a 6 h preincubation. Incubations of cells for 1 h with parathyroid hormone resulted in a 30-fold increase in cyclic AMP in the medium. A 6 h preincubation with parathyroid hormone decreased 24,25(OH)2D-3) synthesis 50% relative to control cells. These results demonstrate the amenability of this system for studying the regulation of 25-OH-D-3 metabolism, as well as its use for other in vitro studies on renal cell function in a chemically defined culture system.

Effect of oestrogen and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on 25-hydroxycholecalciferol metabolism in primary chick kidney-cell cultures

Primary cultures of chick kidney cells convert 25-hydroxycholecalciferol into more-polar metabolites. Cells from vitamin D-deficient chicks have high 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 1 alpha-hydroxylase (1 alpha-hydroxylase) activity, but no 25-hydroxycholecalciferol 24-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase) activity. Physiological concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholeclaciferol suppress 1 alpha-hydroxylase and induce 24-hydroxylase activity. The inhibition of 1 alpha-hydroxylase preceded the induction of 24-hydroxylase. In contrast, oestradiol-17 beta had no effect on the activity of either hydroxylase under a variety of experimental conditions. These results clearly demonstrate that 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, but not oestrogen, acts directly on the kidney cells to regulate the metabolism of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol.