Dermal fibroblasts pretreated with a sterol Delta7-reductase inhibitor produce 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 upon UVB irradiation.

As dermis is a physiological site of vitamin D3 photoproduction, the photo-endocrine vitamin D3 system was studied in dermal fibroblasts. Dermal fibroblasts contain the vitamin D receptor and induce 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase [CYP24] mRNA upon stimulation with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]. In addition, dermal fibroblasts contain mRNA of the vitamin D3-25-hydroxylases (CYP2R1 and CYP27A1).

UVB-induced 1,25(OH)2D3 production and vitamin D activity in intestinal CaCo-2 cells and in THP-1 macrophages pretreated with a sterol Delta7-reductase inhibitor.

Epidermal keratinocytes are able to produce 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and induce vitamin D activity upon UVB irradiation. To find out whether this property is keratinocyte specific, we investigated this characteristic in two other cell types, namely intestinal CaCo-2 cells and the macrophage-like differentiated THP-1 cells. THP-1 macrophages and preconfluent CaCo-2 cells contain the vitamin D receptor (VDR), possess 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1 and CYP27A1) and 1alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) activity, and survive the low UVB doses essential for vitamin D3 photoproduction.

UVB-induced production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin D activity in human keratinocytes pretreated with a sterol delta7-reductase inhibitor.

The skin fulfills an important role in the vitamin D photo-endocrine system. Epidermis is not only the site of vitamin D3 photoproduction. In addition, epidermal keratinocytes contain the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and possess 25-hydroxylase and 1alpha-hydroxylase activity indicating that all components of the vitamin D system are present.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and analogues protect primary human keratinocytes against UVB-induced DNA damage.

Exposure to UVB irradiation is a major risk factor for the development of skin cancer. Therefore, it is important to identify agents that can offer protection against UVB-caused damage. Photocarcinogenesis is caused largely by mutations at sites of incorrectly repaired DNA photoproducts, of which the most common are the cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs).

Molecular pathways involved in the anti-apoptotic effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in primary human keratinocytes.

We previously reported that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] protects primary human keratinocytes against ultraviolet (UV)B-induced apoptosis. Here, we confirmed the anti-apoptotic effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 in keratinocytes, using cisplatin and doxorubicin as apoptotic triggers. We further showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 activates two survival pathways in keratinocytes: the MEK/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K)/Akt pathway.

Two 14-epi analogues of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 protect human keratinocytes against the effects of UVB.

In search of photoprotective agents, we recently demonstrated a protective effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] against different events mediated by ultraviolet B (UVB) in human keratinocytes. Pharmacological doses of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) were required to obtain significant UVB protection; however, these doses cannot be used in vivo due to the calcemic properties of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Therefore, we evaluated the photoprotective capacities of two low-calcemic 14-epi analogues of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), 19-nor-14-epi-23-yne-1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (TX 522) and 19-nor-14,20-bisepi-23-yne-1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (TX 527).

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits ultraviolet B-induced apoptosis, Jun kinase activation, and interleukin-6 production in primary human keratinocytes.

We investigated the capacity of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] to protect human keratinocytes against the hazardous effects of ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiation, recognized as the most important etiological factor in the development of skin cancer. Cytoprotective effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on UVB-irradiated keratinocytes were seen morphologically and quantified using a colorimetric survival assay. Moreover, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) suppressed UVB-induced apoptotic cell death.