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M Hewison

Publications and source records attributed to M Hewison.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

The comparative role of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and phorbol esters in the differentiation of the U937 cell line.

The active metabolite of cholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-DHCC), is a mononuclear phagocyte product with immunoregulatory properties which can influence not only surrounding T cells but also other mononuclear phagocytes; and which acts in an autocrine fashion. In this study we have used the U937 cell line as a starting point model to investigate further the comparative role of 1,25-DHCC and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) upon growth, differentiation and phenotype in the mononuclear phagocyte system, and have correlated our findings with changes in 1,25-DHCC metabolism and receptor expression. Both 1,25-DHCC and PMA inhibit growth and differentiate U937 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. When used together, however, at low doses of PMA, 1,25-DHCC protects against the PMA-induced growth inhibition. At high concentrations of both compounds there is a decrease (1,25-DHCC) or an increase (PMA) in 1,25-DHCC receptor expression, with either 24-OHase (1,25-DHCC) or 1-OHase (PMA) synthesis. If the compounds are used in combination the receptor levels are equivalent to controls, and both enzymes are produced. The phenotype of the 1,25-DHCC-induced cells shows light adherence, class I+, increase in CD4 and CD14 and decrease in CD71. The PMA-induced cell is tightly adherent, class I+, and strongly positive for CD13 with a concomitant decrease in both CD4 and CD71. These findings suggest another role for 1,25-DHCC in the mononuclear phagocyte system, as a potential mitogenic agent. They also suggest that 1,25-DHCC may act at both membrane and nuclear levels within this model of the mononuclear phagocyte pathway and demonstrate one possible way in which physiological peripheral macrophage heterogeneity might be induced, i.e. due to the nature of the signals which are implicated during differentiation. The presence of increased CD4 and decreased CD13 on the surface of 1,25-DHCC-differentiated cells, and vice versa on PMA-differentiated cells, illustrates how this may then be reflected in functional mononuclear phagocyte heterogeneity, which may in turn be reflected in differential peripheral function.

Antigens, Surface↗

1,25(OH)2D3 regulates c-myc mRNA levels in tonsillar T lymphocytes.

The effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on proliferation, c-myc mRNA levels and 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor expression in activated tonsillar T lymphocytes were studied. Activation of resting T cells with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) for 72 hr led to an increase in proliferation, c-myc mRNA levels and to induction of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor expression. However, when activation was carried out in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3, there was inhibition of PHA-stimulated proliferation and c-myc mRNA levels. Increased cell proliferation, c-myc mRNA expression and 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor number were also observed, albeit to a lesser extent, when T cells were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), anti-CD3 antibody or A23187. However, in these cases 1,25(OH)2D3 was unable to prevent increased proliferation or c-myc mRNA expression. PMA and anti-CD3 used in combination produced similar or greater changes in proliferation, c-myc mRNA levels, 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor expression and responsiveness to the hormone when compared to PHA alone. Thus the inhibition of c-myc expression in activated T lymphocytes by 1,25(OH)2D3 can be related to its anti-proliferative effects. Moreover this inhibition seems to be dependent on the level of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor expression, which in turn appears to be related to the degree of cell activation.

Calcitriol↗

Intermittent hypercalcaemia and vitamin D sensitivity in Hodgkin's disease.

A patient with Hodgkin's disease spontaneously developed steroid-responsive hypercalcaemia during two consecutive summers. Administration of 3000 U/day of vitamin D, while he was normocalcaemic, caused a sharp increase in serum 1,25(OH)2D3 (from 59 pg/ml to 142 pg/ml) and subsequently hypercalcaemia while serum 25(OH)D3 rose moderately within the normal range (from 2.8 ng/ml to 10 ng/ml). During a spontaneous episode of hypercalcaemia which was accompanied by increased circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations, administration of hydrocortisone decreased serum 1,25(OH)2D3 rapidly (from 115 pg/ml to 62 pg/ml) and eventually led to normocalcaemia while serum 25(OH)D3 remained unchanged. Thus the disturbances of mineral metabolism found in this patient with Hodgkin's disease are very similar to those previously described in sarcoidosis.

Aged↗

Binding of the receptor for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to the 5'-flanking region of the bovine parathyroid hormone gene.

Receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) were prepared from bovine parathyroid glands and incubated with fragments of DNA of the 5'-flanking region of the bovine parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene covering 1700 base pairs (bp) upstream of the initiation site. In filter binding assays, incubation of the DNA fragment spanning -700 to +50 bp with 200 micrograms cytosolic protein gave 288 +/- 63% (mean +/- S.D.) of binding in the absence of protein. In contrast, there was no significant reaction with the -1350 to -700 bp fragment, nor was there binding of the receptor to a fragment of DNA covering the coding region of the PTH gene. Substitution of bovine serum albumin for the receptor preparation did not induce binding to the -700 to +50 bp fragment. The receptor-binding site was further defined to -700 to -100 bp as deletion of the -100 to +50 bp did not reduce receptor binding. Reaction of receptors further purified by sucrose density ultracentrifugation with a monoclonal antibody in immunoblots revealed a single species with a molecular mass of approximately 50,000 Da, which was absent in preparations of cos-1 cells. Autoradiography following incubation of receptors immobilized on nitrocellulose filters with the -700 to +50 bp fragment indicated a single reactive band coincident with the band in the immunoblot. The DNA fragment did not bind to filters containing preparations of cos-1 cells. Extraction of the receptors in the presence or absence of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (4 nmol/l) or the presence of KCl (150 mmol/l) in the incubation medium had no significant effect on DNA binding to the protein in this assay. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Modulation of myelomonocytic U937 cells by vitamin D metabolites.

Investigation of the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 on the proliferation and differentiation of the human myelomonocytic cell line U937 has been complemented with studies of the effect of the same metabolites on the number of nuclear receptors for 1,25(OH)2D3. Both 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The concentrations of 24,25(OH)2D3 required to produce this effect were 100-times greater than those of 1,25(OH)2D3. Inhibition of proliferation was associated with increased expression of the CD14 and 200 kDa 63D3 antigens thus confirming differentiation of U937 towards a more mature cell type. Studies of the nuclear receptor for 1,25(OH)2D3 showed that pre-treatment of the cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 resulted in an apparent 40% decrease in the number of detectable 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors as compared to control U937 cells. This is due to the fact that the 1,25(OH)2D3 binds to U937 cell nuclei during culture and thus blocks the subsequent binding of radiolabelled 1,25(OH)2D3 used to measure the number of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors. Measurement of the binding of unlabelled 1,25(OH)2D3 by radioimmunoassay indicated that pre-treatment of the cells with 1,25(OH)2D3 increased the capacity of U937 to bind the hormone, although measurement of these receptors by whole cell assay was prevented by the binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 itself. This effect was not observed with 24,25(OH)2D3 which was more easily displaced from binding sites by radiolabelled 1,25(OH)2D3 and it appears to act through low affinity binding to the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor.

24,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3↗

Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and cortisol on bovine and human parathyroid cells.

Incubation of bovine parathyroid cells with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) decreased both preproparathyroid mRNA levels and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. There was a fall to 56.6 +/- 13.7% (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 65.1 +/- 9.3% in mRNA levels and PTH secretion respectively at 1 nmol 1,25-(OH)2D3/l, and 41.1 +/- 13.6% and 42.0 +/- 12.1% at 10 nmol 1,25-(OH)2D3/l after 24 h. After 48 h in 0.1 nmol 1,25-(OH)2D3/l, mRNA levels had fallen to 35.3 +/- 12.6% and PTH secretion to 32.1 +/- 5.0%. In human adenomatous cells, however, incubation with 1,25-(OH)2D3 (10 nmol/l) had no effect on either mRNA levels or PTH secretion even after 48 h. This lack of sensitivity of adenomatous cells to 1,25-(OH)2D3 was not due to an absence of receptors (3847 +/- 39 receptors/ng cytosolic protein in adenomatous cells compared with 4068 +/- 371 in bovine cells) or receptors being of low affinity. Cortisol (1 mumol/l) caused a reduction in the number of receptors for 1,25-(OH)2D3 in bovine parathyroid cells of approximately 20% within 24 h of incubation, but no change in affinity. This decrease was accompanied by abolition of the response to 1,25-(OH)2D3 and was reversible, in that withdrawal of cortisol for the final 24 h of incubation was sufficient for the response to return, the number of receptors having returned to control values. These results suggest that only a small percentage of receptors for 1,25-(OH)2D3 in bovine parathyroid cells may be functional at any one time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenoma↗

Autocrine regulation of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol metabolism in myelomonocytic cells.

In this study the effects of vitamin D metabolites on the myelomonocytic precursor cell line U937 have been compared with those of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). PMA was used as a cell modulating agent in order to avoid effects of binding of the exogenous vitamin D metabolites receptors within the cell, which would interfere with subsequent measurement of these receptors in studies of the vitamin D3 metabolic pathway. Both the active 1,25 DHCC form of vitamin D3 and the inactive 24,25 DHCC metabolite inhibit cell proliferation and induce 24-hydroxylase activity, but not 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity. These effects are dose-dependent and maximum enzyme activity is seen in the adherent cell population, which is induced by these compounds. PMA inhibits proliferation of U937 and increases receptors for 1,25 DHCC in these cells (like the vitamin D metabolites). However, unlike the vitamin D metabolites, PMA induces 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity rather than 24-hydroxylase activity. Thus, while PMA and 1,25 DHCC have some similar effects on monocyte precursor cell line differentiation, there is a difference between the effects of the two agents on the vitamin D metabolic pathway. The former promotes synthesis of the active metabolite, and the latter induces an enzyme which renders the metabolite inactive. If these results are considered together, they are consistent with the hypothesis that 1,25 DHCC has an autocrine role within the mononuclear phagocyte system.

Calcitriol↗

Dendritic cells from human tissues express receptors for the immunoregulatory vitamin D3 metabolite, dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Dendritic cells have been isolated from human tonsillar tissue and shown to act as accessory cells in a mitogenic response. The dendritic cells will induced receptors for the active metabolite of vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, in the responder E+ T cells. The dendritic cells themselves constitutively express receptors for the metabolite, and this distinguishes them from other non-T cells in lymphomedullary tissue. Expression of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor may be a dendritic cell property that facilitates their accessory cell role within the tissue microenvironment.

Calcitriol↗

Regulation of human tonsillar T-cell proliferation by the active metabolite of vitamin D3.

We have examined the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on T-cell populations isolated by buoyant density and E rosetting from human tonsils. Cell proliferation was assessed by measuring the incorporation of 125iododeoxyuridine; interleukin-2 (IL-2) production was measured using an IL-2-dependent cell line, and the number of 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors was measured by whole-cell nuclear association assay. At a concentration of 10(-7) M, 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibited mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation in all E+ T-cell populations. This effect was more pronounced in the cells from the intermediate and high density layers and was reflected both in cell proliferative responses and in relative IL-2 synthesis. By adding the 1,25(OH)2D3 during the course of the mitogen assay, we demonstrated that activation of the T cell precedes the 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated inhibition. Cells that had been preincubated with mitogen in the presence of the 1,25(OH)2D3 were refractory to further stimulation by mitogens. Receptors for 1,25(OH)2D3 could not be detected in unstimulated T cells. However, activation led to the expression of high-affinity receptors for 1,25(OH)2D3. Co-incubation of the cells with mitogen and 1,25(OH)2D3 increased the number of receptors compared with mitogen alone. The effects provide further evidence for the hypothesis that 1,25(OH)2D3 is an important potential modulator of the immune system through its action on T cells. Taking our observations in conjunction with the known capacity of monocytes to hydroxylate the precursor metabolite (and thus synthesize the active form of cholecalciferol), the results support the suggestion that 1,25(OH)2D3 plays a role as a local mediator of mononuclear phagocyte-T cell interaction in human lymphomedullary tissues.

Calcitriol↗

New trends in bone research.

Recent advances in bone research have employed novel cell and molecular biology techniques to determine some of the fundamental mechanisms regulating bone function. Endocrine control of bone cell development and matrix turnover have been defined at a molecular level by studying the interaction of steroid/thyroid hormones with gene promoters. New steroid/thyroid hormone receptors have been cloned, suggesting that our current view of hormonal regulation of bone metabolism is far from complete. The function of one particular steroid hormone receptor, the vitamin D receptor, has come under close scrutiny following the observation that polymorphic variations in this receptor are linked to differences in bone mineral density. Detailed studies of bone cell differentiation have shown that cytokines may be particularly important targets for hormonal control in bone. The role of cell adhesion molecules in regulating bone resorption has also been explored; modulation of their activity may be of benefit in the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis. Pharmacological intervention via the newly cloned calcium-sensing receptor offers another site for regulation of bone turnover.

Bone Diseases↗