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Carlberg C, Raczyk M, Zawrotna N. Vitamin D: A master example of nutrigenomics. Redox Biol 2023; 62:102695. [PMID: 37043983 PMCID: PMC10119805 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrigenomics attempts to characterize and integrate the relation between dietary molecules and gene expression on a genome-wide level. One of the biologically active nutritional compounds is vitamin D3, which activates via its metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) the nuclear receptor VDR (vitamin D receptor). Vitamin D3 can be synthesized endogenously in our skin, but since we spend long times indoors and often live at higher latitudes where for many winter months UV-B radiation is too low, it became a true vitamin. The ligand-inducible transcription factor VDR is expressed in the majority of human tissues and cell types, where it modulates the epigenome at thousands of genomic sites. In a tissue-specific fashion this results in the up- and downregulation of primary vitamin D target genes, some of which are involved in attenuating oxidative stress. Vitamin D affects a wide range of physiological functions including the control of metabolism, bone formation and immunity. In this review, we will discuss how the epigenome- and transcriptome-wide effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 and its receptor VDR serve as a master example in nutrigenomics. In this context, we will outline the basis of a mechanistic understanding for personalized nutrition with vitamin D3.
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Fernandez GJ, Ramírez-Mejia JM, Urcuqui-Inchima S. Vitamin D boosts immune response of macrophages through a regulatory network of microRNAs and mRNAs. J Nutr Biochem 2022; 109:109105. [PMID: 35858666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2022.109105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin D is associated with the stimulation of innate immunity, inflammation, and host defense against pathogens. Macrophages express receptors of Vitamin D, regulating transcription of genes related to immune processes. However, the transcriptional and post-transcriptional strategies controlling gene expression in differentiated macrophages, and how they are influenced by Vitamin D are not well understood. We studied whether Vitamin D enhances immune response by regulating the expression of microRNAs and mRNAs. Analysis of the transcriptome showed differences in expression of 199 genes, of which 68% were up-regulated, revealing the cell state of monocyte-derived macrophages differentiated with Vitamin D (D3-MDMs) as compared to monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). The differentially expressed genes appear to be associated with pathophysiological processes, including inflammatory responses, and cellular stress. Transcriptional motifs in promoter regions of up- or down-regulated genes showed enrichment of VDR motifs, suggesting possible roles of transcriptional activator or repressor in gene expression. Further, microRNA-Seq analysis indicated that there were 17 differentially expressed miRNAs, of which, 7 were up-regulated and 10 down-regulated, suggesting that Vitamin D plays a critical role in the regulation of miRNA expression during macrophages differentiation. The miR-6501-3p, miR-1273h-5p, miR-665, miR-1972, miR-1183, miR-619-5p were down-regulated in D3-MDMs compared to MDMs. The integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiles predict that miR-1972, miR-1273h-5p, and miR-665 regulate genes PDCD1LG2, IL-1B, and CD274, which are related to the inflammatory response. Results suggest an essential role of Vitamin D in macrophage differentiation that modulates host response against pathogens, inflammation, and cellular stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geysson Javier Fernandez
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Julieta M Ramírez-Mejia
- Research group CIBIOP, Department of Biological Sciences, Universidad EAFIT, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Silvio Urcuqui-Inchima
- Grupo Inmunovirología, Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 No 52-21, Medellín, Colombia.
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Kashyap J, Tyagi RK. Mitotic genome bookmarking by nuclear receptor VDR advocates transmission of cellular transcriptional memory to progeny cells. Exp Cell Res 2022; 417:113193. [PMID: 35523304 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Mitosis is an essential process for the self-renewal of cells that is accompanied by dynamic changes in nuclear architecture and chromatin organization. Despite all the changes, the cell manages to re-establish all the parental epigenetic marks, post-mitotically. Recent reports suggest that some sequence-specific transcription factors remain attached to mitotic chromatin during cell division to ensure timely reactivation of a subset of transcription factors necessary to maintain cell identity. These mitotically associated factors are suggested to act as 'genome bookmarking factors' and the phenomenon is termed 'genome bookmarking'. Here, we studied this phenomenon with Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), a key regulator of calcium and phosphate homeostasis and a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. This study, for the first time, has confirmed VDR as a mitotic bookmarking factor that may be playing a crucial role in the maintenance of cell identity and genome bookmarking. Full 'DNA binding domain (DBD)' present in VDR was identified as essential for enrichment of VDR on mitotic chromatin. Furthermore, the study also demonstrates that VDR evokes mitotic chromatin binding behaviour in its heterodimeric partner Retinoid X receptor (RXR). Interestingly, for promoting bookmarking behaviour in RXR, both DBD and/or ligand-binding domain (LBD) in conjunction with hinge region of VDR were required. Additionally, ChIP analysis showed that VDR remains associated with DR3 (direct repeat 3) region of its specific target gene promoter CYP24A1(Cytochrome P450 family 24 subfamily A member1), during mitosis. Altogether, our study illustrates a novel function of VDR in the epigenetic transmission and control of expression of target proteome for maintenance of cell identity and traits in progeny cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Kashyap
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India
| | - Rakesh K Tyagi
- Special Centre for Molecular Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
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Vitamin D and Its Target Genes. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071354. [PMID: 35405966 PMCID: PMC9003440 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The vitamin D metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is the natural, high-affinity ligand of the transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR). In many tissues and cell types, VDR binds in a ligand-dependent fashion to thousands of genomic loci and modulates, via local chromatin changes, the expression of hundreds of primary target genes. Thus, the epigenome and transcriptome of VDR-expressing cells is directly affected by vitamin D. Vitamin D target genes encode for proteins with a large variety of physiological functions, ranging from the control of calcium homeostasis, innate and adaptive immunity, to cellular differentiation. This review will discuss VDR’s binding to genomic DNA, as well as its genome-wide locations and interaction with partner proteins, in the context of chromatin. This information will be integrated into a model of vitamin D signaling, explaining the regulation of vitamin D target genes.
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Català-Moll F, Ferreté-Bonastre AG, Godoy-Tena G, Morante-Palacios O, Ciudad L, Barberà L, Fondelli F, Martínez-Cáceres EM, Rodríguez-Ubreva J, Li T, Ballestar E. Vitamin D receptor, STAT3, and TET2 cooperate to establish tolerogenesis. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110244. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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Steinhauser CB, Lambo CA, Askelson K, Burns GW, Behura SK, Spencer TE, Bazer FW, Satterfield MC. Placental Transcriptome Adaptations to Maternal Nutrient Restriction in Sheep. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147654. [PMID: 34299281 PMCID: PMC8306922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Placental development is modified in response to maternal nutrient restriction (NR), resulting in a spectrum of fetal growth rates. Pregnant sheep carrying singleton fetuses and fed either 100% (n = 8) or 50% (NR; n = 28) of their National Research Council (NRC) recommended intake from days 35–135 of pregnancy were used to elucidate placentome transcriptome alterations at both day 70 and day 135. NR fetuses were further designated into upper (NR NonSGA; n = 7) and lower quartiles (NR SGA; n = 7) based on day 135 fetal weight. At day 70 of pregnancy, there were 22 genes dysregulated between NR SGA and 100% NRC placentomes, 27 genes between NR NonSGA and 100% NRC placentomes, and 22 genes between NR SGA and NR NonSGA placentomes. These genes mediated molecular functions such as MHC class II protein binding, signaling receptor binding, and cytokine activity. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed significant overrepresentation of genes for natural-killer-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in NR SGA compared to 100% NRC placentomes, and alterations in nutrient utilization pathways between NR SGA and NR NonSGA placentomes at day 70. Results identify novel factors associated with impaired function in SGA placentomes and potential for placentomes from NR NonSGA pregnancies to adapt to nutritional hardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsie B. Steinhauser
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.B.S.); (K.A.); (F.W.B.)
| | - Colleen A. Lambo
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Katharine Askelson
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.B.S.); (K.A.); (F.W.B.)
| | - Gregory W. Burns
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA;
| | - Susanta K. Behura
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.B.); (T.E.S.)
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Thomas E. Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; (S.K.B.); (T.E.S.)
| | - Fuller W. Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.B.S.); (K.A.); (F.W.B.)
| | - Michael Carey Satterfield
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (C.B.S.); (K.A.); (F.W.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-979-845-6448
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Simakou T, Freeburn R, Henriquez FL. Gene expression during THP-1 differentiation is influenced by vitamin D3 and not vibrational mechanostimulation. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11773. [PMID: 34316406 PMCID: PMC8286059 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In injury or infection, monocytes migrate into the affected tissues from circulation and differentiate into macrophages which are subsequently involved in the inflammatory responses. Macrophage differentiation and activation have been studied in response to multiple chemokines and cytokines. However, mechanical, and physical stimuli can also influence macrophage differentiation, activation, cytokine production, and phagocytic activity. Methods In this study the macrophage differentiation from THP-1 monocytes was assessed upon the stimulation with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,000 Hz vibrations, using qPCR for quantification of transcript expression. Vitamin D binds the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and subsequently modulates the expression of a variety of genes in monocytes. The effects of the 1,000 Hz vibrational stimulation, and the combined treatment of vitamin D3 and 1000 Hz vibrations were unknown. The differentiation of macrophages was assessed by looking at transcription of macrophage markers (e.g., CD14, CD36), antigen presenting molecules (e.g., HLA-DRA), transcription factors (e.g., LEF-1, TCF7L2), and mechanosensors (e.g., PIEZO1 and PKD2). Results The results showed that vitamin D3 induced THP-1 macrophage differentiation, which was characterized by upregulation of CD14 and CD36, downregulation of HLA-DRA, upregulation of the PKD2 (TRPP2), and an inverse relationship between TCF7L2 and LEF-1, which were upregulated and downregulated respectively. The 1,000 Hz vibrations were sensed from the cells which upregulated PIEZO1 and TCF3, but they did not induce expression of genes that would indicate macrophage differentiation. The mRNA transcription profile in the cells stimulated with the combined treatment was comparable to that of the cells stimulated by the vitamin only. The 1,000 Hz vibrations slightly weakened the effect of the vitamin for the regulation of CD36 and HLA-DMB in the suspension cells, but without causing changes in the regulation patterns. The only exception was the upregulation of TCF3 in the suspension cells, which was influenced by the vibrations. In the adherent cells, the vitamin D3 cancelled the upregulating effect of the 1,000 Hz vibrations and downregulated TCF3. The vitamin also cancelled the upregulation of PIEZO1 gene by the 1,000 Hz vibrations in the combined treatment. Conclusion The mechanical stimulation with 1,000 Hz vibrations resulted in upregulation of PIEZO1 in THP-1 cells, but it did not affect the differentiation process which was investigated in this study. Vitamin D3 induced THP-1 macrophage differentiation and could potentially influence M2 polarization as observed by upregulation of CD36 and downregulation of HLA-DRA. In addition, in THP-1 cells undergoing the combined stimulation, the gene expression patterns were influenced by vitamin D3, which also ablated the effect of the mechanical stimulus on PIEZO1 upregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodoros Simakou
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom.,Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Freeburn
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona L Henriquez
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West of Scotland, Paisley, United Kingdom
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Lv L, Wei Q, Wang Z, Zhao Y, Chen N, Yi Q. Clinical and Molecular Correlates of NLRC5 Expression in Patients With Melanoma. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:690186. [PMID: 34307322 PMCID: PMC8299757 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.690186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NLRC5 is an important regulator in antigen presentation and inflammation, and its dysregulation promotes tumor progression. In melanoma, the impact of NLRC5 expression on molecular phenotype, clinical characteristics, and tumor features is largely unknown. In the present study, public datasets from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and cBioPortal were used to address these issues. We identify that NLRC5 is expressed in both immune cells and melanoma cells in melanoma samples and its expression is regulated by SPI1 and DNA methylation. NLRC5 expression is closely associated with Breslow thickness, Clark level, recurrence, pathologic T stage, and ulceration status in melanoma. Truncating/splice mutations rather than missense mutations in NLRC5 could compromise the expression of downstream genes. Low expression of NLRC5 is associated with poor prognosis, low activity of immune-related signatures, low infiltrating level of immune cells, and low cytotoxic score in melanoma. Additionally, NLRC5 expression correlates with immunotherapy efficacy in melanoma. In summary, these findings suggest that NLRC5 acts as a tumor suppressor in melanoma via modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. Targeting the NLRC5 related pathway might improve efficacy of immunotherapy for melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lv
- Anhui Cancer Hospital, West Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Qinqin Wei
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhiwen Wang
- Anhui Cancer Hospital, West Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yujia Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ni Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiyi Yi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Voutsadakis IA. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and metabolizing enzymes CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 in breast cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2020; 47:9821-9830. [PMID: 33259013 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-020-05780-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), a nuclear steroid receptor, is a transcription factor with a primary physiologic role in calcium metabolism. It has also a physiologic role in breast tissues during development of the gland and postpartum. In addition, it is commonly expressed in breast cancer and has tumor suppressive effects. Cytochrome enzymes CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 that perform the final conversion of the circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) to the active VDR ligand, 1a,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and the catabolism of it to inactive 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, respectively, are also expressed in breast cancer tissues. Defective regulation of the receptor and the metabolic enzymes of VDR ligand is prevalent in breast cancer and leads to decreased VDR signaling. The expression and molecular defects of VDR, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 that perturb physiologic function, the implications for breast cancer progression and therapeutic opportunities are discussed in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis A Voutsadakis
- Algoma District Cancer Program, Sault Area Hospital, 750 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6B 0A8, Canada. .,Section of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Sciences, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
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Folate Receptor β (FRβ) Expression in Tissue-Resident and Tumor-Associated Macrophages Associates with and Depends on the Expression of PU.1. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061445. [PMID: 32532019 PMCID: PMC7349916 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
As macrophages exhibit a huge functional plasticity under homeostasis and pathological conditions, they have become a therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory diseases. Hence, the identification of macrophage subset-specific markers is a requisite for the development of macrophage-directed therapeutic interventions. In this regard, the macrophage-specific Folate Receptor β (FRβ, encoded by the FOLR2 gene) has been already validated as a target for molecular delivery in cancer as well as in macrophage-targeting therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory pathologies. We now show that the transcriptome of human macrophages from healthy and inflamed tissues (tumor; rheumatoid arthritis, RA) share a significant over-representation of the “anti-inflammatory gene set”, which defines the gene profile of M-CSF-dependent IL-10-producing human macrophages (M-MØ). More specifically, FOLR2 expression has been found to strongly correlate with the expression of M-MØ-specific genes in tissue-resident macrophages, tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and macrophages from inflamed synovium, and also correlates with the presence of the PU.1 transcription factor. In fact, PU.1-binding elements are found upstream of the first exon of FOLR2 and most M-MØ-specific- and TAM-specific genes. The functional relevance of PU.1 binding was demonstrated through analysis of the proximal regulatory region of the FOLR2 gene, whose activity was dependent on a cluster of PU.1-binding sequences. Further, siRNA-mediated knockdown established the importance of PU.1 for FOLR2 gene expression in myeloid cells. Therefore, we provide evidence that FRβ marks tissue-resident macrophages as well as macrophages within inflamed tissues, and its expression is dependent on PU.1.
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Carlberg C, Muñoz A. An update on vitamin D signaling and cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 79:217-230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Carlberg C. Vitamin D Signaling in the Context of Innate Immunity: Focus on Human Monocytes. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2211. [PMID: 31572402 PMCID: PMC6753645 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The vitamin D3 metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) activates at sub-nanomolar concentrations the transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR is primarily involved in the control of cellular metabolism but in addition modulates processes important for immunity, such as anti-microbial defense and the induction of T cell tolerance. Monocytes and their differentiated phenotypes, macrophages and dendritic cells, are key cell types of the innate immune system, in which vitamin D signaling was most comprehensively investigated via the use of next generation sequencing technologies. These investigations provided genome-wide maps illustrating significant effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the binding of VDR, the pioneer transcription factors purine-rich box 1 (PU.1) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (CEBPA) and the chromatin modifier CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) as well as on chromatin accessibility and histone markers of promoter and enhancer regions, H3K4me3 and H3K27ac. Thus, the epigenome of human monocytes is at multiple levels sensitive to vitamin D. These data served as the basis for the chromatin model of vitamin D signaling, which mechanistically explains the activation of a few hundred primary vitamin D target genes. Comparable epigenome- and transcriptome-wide effects of vitamin D were also described in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from individuals before and after supplementation with a vitamin D3 bolus. This review will conclude with the hypothesis that vitamin D modulates the epigenome of immune cells during perturbations by antigens and other immunological challenges suggesting that an optimal vitamin D status may be essential for an effective epigenetic learning process, in particular of the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Carlberg
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Abstract
Nutrigenomics studies how environmental factors, such as food intake and lifestyle, influence the expression of the genome. Vitamin D₃ represents a master example of nutrigenomics, since via its metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, which binds with high-affinity to the vitamin D receptor, the secosteroid directly affects the epigenome and transcriptome at thousands of loci within the human genome. Vitamin D is important for both cellular metabolism and immunity, as it controls calcium homeostasis and modulates the response of the innate and adaptive immune system. At sufficient UV-B exposure, humans can synthesize vitamin D₃ endogenously in their skin, but today's lifestyle often makes the molecule a true vitamin and micronutrient that needs to be taken up by diet or supplementation with pills. The individual's molecular response to vitamin D requires personalized supplementation with vitamin D₃, in order to obtain optimized clinical benefits in the prevention of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, autoimmune diseases, and possibly different types of cancer. The importance of endogenous synthesis of vitamin D₃ created an evolutionary pressure for reduced skin pigmentation, when, during the past 50,000 years, modern humans migrated from Africa towards Asia and Europe. This review will discuss different aspects of how vitamin D interacts with the human genome, focusing on nutritional epigenomics in context of immune responses. This should lead to a better understanding of the clinical benefits of vitamin D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Carlberg
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
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Nurminen V, Seuter S, Carlberg C. Primary Vitamin D Target Genes of Human Monocytes. Front Physiol 2019; 10:194. [PMID: 30890957 PMCID: PMC6411690 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular basis of vitamin D signaling implies that the metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) of the secosteroid vitamin D3 activates the transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR), which in turn modulates the expression of hundreds of primary vitamin D target genes. Since the evolutionary role of nuclear receptors, such as VDR, was the regulation of cellular metabolism, the control of calcium metabolism became the primary function of vitamin D and its receptor. Moreover, the nearly ubiquitous expression of VDR enabled vitamin D to acquire additional physiological functions, such as the support of the innate immune system in its defense against microbes. Monocytes and their differentiated phenotypes, macrophages and dendritic cells, are key cell types of the innate immune system. Vitamin D signaling was most comprehensively investigated in THP-1 cells, which are an established model of human monocytes. This includes the 1,25(OH)2D3-modulated cistromes of VDR, the pioneer transcription factors PU.1 and CEBPA and the chromatin modifier CTCF as well as of the histone markers of promoter and enhancer regions, H3K4me3 and H3K27ac, respectively. These epigenome-wide datasets led to the development of our chromatin model of vitamin D signaling. This review discusses the mechanistic basis of 189 primary vitamin D target genes identified by transcriptome-wide analysis of 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated THP-1 cells and relates the epigenomic basis of four different regulatory scenarios to the physiological functions of the respective genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veijo Nurminen
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sabine Seuter
- Institute for Cardiovascular Physiology, Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Carsten Carlberg
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Carlberg C, Neme A. Machine learning approaches infer vitamin D signaling: Critical impact of vitamin D receptor binding within topologically associated domains. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2019; 185:103-109. [PMID: 30044963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2018.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Revised: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The vitamin D-modulated transcriptome of highly responsive human cells, such as THP-1 monocytes, comprises more than 500 genes, half of which are primary targets. Recently, we proposed a chromatin model of vitamin D signaling demonstrating that nearly all vitamin D target genes are located within vitamin D-modulated topologically associated domains (TADs). This model is based on genome-wide binding patterns of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), the pioneer transcription factor PU.1, the chromatin organizer CTCF and histone markers of active promoter regions (H3K4me3) and active chromatin (H3K27ac). In addition, time-dependent data on accessible chromatin and mRNA expression are implemented. For the interrogation and in deep inspection of these high-dimensional datasets unsupervised and supervised machine learning algorithms were applied. Unsupervised methods, such as the vector quantization tool K-means and the dimensionality reduction algorithm self-organizing map, generated descriptions of how attributes, such as VDR binding and chromatin accessibility, affect each other as a function of time and/or co-localization within the same genomic region. Supervised algorithms, such as random forests, allowed the data to be classified into pre-existing categories like persistent (i.e. constant) and time-dependent (i.e. transient) VDR binding sites. The relative amounts of these VDR categories in TADs showed to be the main discriminator for sorting the latter into five classes carrying vitamin D target genes involved in distinct biological processes. In conclusion, via the application of machine learning methods we identified the spatio-temporal VDR binding pattern in TADs as the most critical attribute for specific regulation of vitamin D target genes and the segregation of vitamin D's physiologic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Carlberg
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Antonio Neme
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland
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The potential role of Ets-1 and miR-326 in CD19 +B cells in the pathogenesis of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol 2018; 38:1031-1038. [PMID: 30456527 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-018-4371-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the B cell-associated transcription factors, Ets-1 and microRNA, miR-326 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and their correlation with the pathogenesis of SLE. METHOD A total of 44 SLE patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this research, all patients fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for SLE. The mRNA expression of Ets-1 and miR-326 in CD19+B cells from SLE patients were examined by qRT-PCR. The percentages of CD19+CD138+plasma cells were analyzed by Flow cytometry. RESULTS We found decreased expression of Ets-1 mRNA in SLE patients compared with the healthy controls ([0.228 (0.145, 0.507)] vs [0.583 (0.452, 0.763)], p = 0.001),while increased expression of miR-326 mRNA in CD19+B cells SLE patients compared with the healthy controls([1.092 (0.457, 2.855)] vs [0.685 (0.274, 0.819)], p = 0.008). The percentage of CD19+CD138+plasma cells in SLE patients was higher than that of healthy controls (0.55 ± 0.21% vs 0.36 ± 0.21%, p = 0.002). Moreover, a negative correlation between expression of Ets-1 mRNA and miR-326 mRNA in CD19+B cells was detected (r = - 0.334, p = 0.027). A significant association between the occurrences of CD19+CD138+plasma cells and the levels of Ets-1 mRNA and miR-326 mRNA was observed (r = - 0.417, p = 0.005 and r = 0.482, p = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that miR-326 might promote B cells differentiation by targeting Ets-1, a negative regulator of B cells differentiation and therefore participate in the pathogenesis of SLE.
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Nurminen V, Neme A, Seuter S, Carlberg C. The impact of the vitamin D-modulated epigenome on VDR target gene regulation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:697-705. [PMID: 30018005 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2018.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The micronutrient vitamin D significantly modulates the human epigenome via enhancing genome-wide the rate of accessible chromatin and vitamin D receptor (VDR) binding. This study focuses on histone marks of active chromatin at promoter and enhancer regions and investigates, whether these genomic loci are sensitive to vitamin D. The epigenome of THP-1 human monocytes contains nearly 23,000 sites with H3K4me3 histone modifications, 550 of which sites are significantly (p < 0.05) modulated by stimulation with the VDR ligand 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). H3K27ac histone modifications mark active chromatin and 2473 of 45,500 sites are vitamin D sensitive. The two types of ligand-dependent histone marks allow to distinguish promoter and enhancer regulation by vitamin D, respectively. Transcription start site overlap is the prime attribute of ligand-dependent H3K4me3 marks, while VDR co-location is the top ranking parameter describing 1,25(OH)2D3-sensitive H3K27ac marks at enhancers. A categorization of 1,25(OH)2D3-sensitive histone marks by machine learning algorithms - using the attributes overall peak strength and ligand inducibility - highlights 260 and 287 regions with H3K4me3 and H3K27ac modifications, respectively. These loci are found at the promoter regions of 59 vitamin D target genes and their associated enhancers. In this way, ligand-dependent histone marks provide a link of the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the epigenome with previously reported mRNA expression changes of vitamin D target genes. In conclusion, the human epigenome responds also on the level of histone modifications to 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation. This allows a more detailed understanding of vitamin D target gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veijo Nurminen
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Antonio Neme
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sabine Seuter
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Carsten Carlberg
- School of Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
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Lu M, Taylor BV, Körner H. Genomic Effects of the Vitamin D Receptor: Potentially the Link between Vitamin D, Immune Cells, and Multiple Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:477. [PMID: 29593729 PMCID: PMC5857605 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Vitamin D has a plethora of functions that are important for the maintenance of general health and in particular, the functional integrity of the immune system, such as promoting an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and reducing the Treg/Th17 ratio. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorder of probable autoimmune origin. MS is characterized by recurring or progressive demyelination and degeneration of the CNS due in part to a misguided immune response to as yet undefined (CNS) antigens, potentially including myelin basic protein and proteolipid protein. MS has also been shown to be associated significantly with environmental factors such as the lack of vitamin D. The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis and progression of MS is complex. Recent genetic studies have shown that various common MS-associated risk-single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are located within or in the vicinity of genes associated with the complex metabolism of vitamin D. The functional aspects of these genetic associations may be explained either by a direct SNP-associated loss- or gain-of-function in a vitamin D-associated gene or due to a change in the regulation of gene expression in certain immune cell types. The development of new genetic tools using next-generation sequencing: e.g., chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and the accompanying rapid progress of epigenomics has made it possible to recognize that the association between vitamin D and MS could be based on the extensive and characteristic genomic binding of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Therefore, it is important to analyze comprehensively the spatiotemporal VDR binding patterns that have been identified using ChIP-seq in multiple immune cell types to reveal an integral profile of genomic VDR interaction. In summary, the aim of this review is to connect genomic effects vitamin D has on immune cells with MS and thus, to contribute to a better understanding of the influence of vitamin D on the etiology and the pathogenesis of this complex autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lu
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Bruce V. Taylor
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Heinrich Körner
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immunopharmacology, Ministry of Education, Engineering Technology Research Center of Anti-inflammatory and Immunodrugs in Anhui Province, Hefei, China
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Abstract
The vitamin D3 metabolite 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] is the exclusive high-affinity ligand of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a transcription factor with direct effects on gene expression. Transcriptome- and epigenome-wide data obtained in THP-1 human monocytes are the basis of the chromatin model of vitamin D signaling. The model describes, how VDR's spatio-temporal binding profile provides key insight into the pleiotropic action of vitamin D. The transcription of some 300 primary target genes is significantly modulated through the action of genomic VDR binding sites in concert with the pioneer transcription factor PU.1 and the chromatin organizer CTCF. In parallel, the short-term vitamin D intervention study VitDbol (NCT02063334) was designed, in order to extrapolate insight into vitamin D signaling from in vitro to in vivo. Before and 24 h after a vitamin D3 bolus chromatin and RNA were prepared from peripheral blood mononuclear cells for epigenome- and transcriptome-wide analysis. The study subjects showed a personalized response to vitamin D and could be distinguished into high, mid, and low responders. Comparable principles of vitamin D signaling were identified in vivo and in vitro concerning target gene responses as well as changes in chromatin accessibility. In conclusion, short-term vitamin D supplementation studies represent a new type of safe in vivo investigations demonstrating that vitamin D and its metabolites have direct effects on the human epigenome and modulate the response of the transcriptome in a personalized fashion.
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