Project description:Female C57BL/6J mice were fed a vitamin D deficient diet (0.47% calcium, 0.3% phosphate; Teklad diet TD 89123, Envigo Teklad diets, Madison, Wisconsin) 2 -3 weeks prior to mating to a male C57BL/6J male mouse and during subsequent pregnancy and lactation. Pups from these mice were maintained on this diet until 12-14 weeks of age. For this study, mice were maintained in a virus and parasite-free barrier facility and exposed to a 12h-light, 12h-dark cycle. Food and water were given ad libitum. All the animal experiments conducted were approved by the Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School Animal Care and Use Committee. Mice were ordered from Charles River Laboratories. 12 – 14 week old vitamin D deficient mice were randomly separated and injected with either 0.1 ml vehicle (9:1 mix of propylene glycol and ethanol) or 1,25(OH)2D3 (from Cayman Chemical Company Ann Arbor, MI) (ip 10ng/g body weight) and sacrificed 4h after the injection. Intestinal tissues were harvested from mice. About 10-15 cm of the proximal half of small intestine were used for the duodenum crypts and villi samples, and the entire colon tissues from the terminal cecum to rectum were used for colon samples. After flushing with cold PBS, the intestines were cut opened longitudinally, cut into 1 cm pieces in cold PBS for washing, and then incubated with 3mM EDTA/PBS in rotator for 5 min at 4 0C. The solution was discarded and the tissues were incubated with fresh 3mM EDTA/PBS in rotator for 10 min at 4 0C. After shaking the tubes gently for 10 times, the intestinal pieces were transferred to new tube prepared with cold 3mM EDTA/PBS, rotated for 30 min at 4 0C, then were shaken 30 times. The supernatant containing the whole epithelium tissues (crypts and villi) were collected and spun down at 200 rcf for 3 min at 4 0C. The pellet was resuspended with cold PBS and villi separated from crypts with 70 µm filter. Colon tissue was scraped with a glass slide to remove the epithelial mucosa and washed with PBS. All samples were centrifuged tubes at 200 rcf for 3 mins at 4 0C and at 300 rcf for 30 seconds at 40C in order to remove any residual PBS. We then proceeded to RNA extraction. RNeasy Plus Universal Kit was used for villi and crypts with RiboZol RNA extraction reagent (Amresco, Solon, Ohio), according to manufacturer’s instructions. All nucleic acid extracts were gDNA Eliminator Solution for 15 s at 37 °C, in order to remove contaminating chromosomal DNA. Resulting RNA was analyzed for quantity and quality with a NanoDrop spectrophotometer ND-1000 (Isogen Life Science, Utrecht, The Netherlands).
Project description:The genome-wide analysis of the binding sites of the transcription factor vitamin D receptor (VDR) is essential for a global appreciation the physiological impact of the nuclear hormone 1M-NM-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). Genome-wide analysis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-polarized THP-1 human monocytic leukemia cells via chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled with massive parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) resulted in 1,318 high-confidence VDR binding sites, of which 789 and 364 occurred uniquely with and without 1,25(OH)2D3 stimulation, while only 165 were common. We re-analyzed five public VDR ChIP-seq datasets with identical peak calling settings (MACS, version 2) and found in total 23,409 non-overlapping VDR binding sites, 75% of which are unique within the six analyzed cellular models. LPS-differentiated THP-1 cells have 22% more genomic VDR locations than undifferentiated cells and both cell types display more overlap in their VDR locations than the other investigated cell types. In general, the intersection of VDR binding profiles of ligand-stimulated cells is higher than those of unstimulated cells. De novo binding site searches and DR3-type binding site screening using HOMER of the six VDR ChIP-seq datasets suggest that DR3 sites are strongly associated with the ligand-responsiveness of VDR occupation. Importantly, all VDR ChIP-seq datasets display the same relationship between the VDR occupancy and the percentage of DR3-type sequences below the peak summits. The comparative analysis of six VDR ChIP-seq datasets demonstrated that the mechanistic basis for the action of the VDR is independent of the cell type. Only the minority of genome-wide VDR binding sites contains a DR3-type sequence. Moreover, the total number of identified VDR binding sites in each ligand-stimulated cell line inversely correlates with the percentage of peak summits with DR3 sites. Systematic reanalysis of 5 published VDR ChIP-seq datasets together with a new dataset from 24 h LPS-treated THP-1 cells at the unstimulated state and after 80 min ligand (10 nM 1M-NM-1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D, calcitriol)) treatment. See GSM1280896 and GSM1280896 Sample records for data processing information. GSE53041_README.txt has additional details.
Project description:VDR deficiency in microglia markedly aggravated infarct volumes, neurological deficits, and neuroinflammation after cerebral ischemia. To investigate the role of VDR in microglia-regulated neuroinflammation, we performed RNA-seq analysis on microglia isolated from poststroke microglia-conditional VDR knockout (Vdr-cKO) mice and littermate controls. VDR elimination dramatically alters the gene expression profiles of postischemic microglia, implying that vitamin D signaling play a crucial role in microglia-modulated stroke pathogenesis.
Project description:To provide structural insights into the mechanism of the specific association of the coactivator MED1 with the Vitamin D nuclear (VDR)-RXR heterodimer, we used combined structural methods including X-ray crystallography, small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), NMR, hydrogen-deuterium exchange coupled to mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), crosslinking mass spectrometry as well as biophysical methods.
Project description:Calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), through the actions of their respective receptors, the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR), potentiate keratinocyte differentiation. VDR regulates epidermal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation by modulating gene transcription, whereas the CaSR, a member of the family C G-protein coupled receptor, calcium mobilizes intracellular calcium and induces the formation of cell-cell junctions. 1,25D3 augments the sensitivity of the prodifferentiating actions of calcium by increasing the expression of CaSR. CaSR- and VDR-deficient keratinocytes share common characteristics such as abnormal intercellular adhesion and sphigolipid metabolism. Both CaSR and VDR are abundantly expressed in epidermal stem cell populations including CD34 expressing bulge keratinocytes in hair follicles and basal cells in interfollicular epidermis. To delineate the role of CaSR- and VDR-dependent pathways in regulating epidermal development and functions in physiological state, we generated conditional CaSR-null and VDR-null mice, where Casr and VDR gene was removed from keratinocytes. Keratinocyte-specific CaSR-null and VDR-null mice manifest distinct phenotypes. CaSR-null mice display defective epidermal permeability barrier function due to aberrant keratinocyte differentiation. VDR-null mice develop alopecia after completing the first hair follicle cycling. Concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR genes in keratinocytes delays rate of wound repair and increases incidence of skin tumor formation to a greater extent than deletion of the CaSR or VDR alone, indicative of synergistic effects of calcium and 1,25D3 signaling. Gene expression profiles and subsequent pathway analysis on the epidermis derived from 5-day-old neonates revealed that ablation of CaSR or VDR increased expression of genes associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Deletion of VDR markedly inhibited signaling pathways that regulate hair development. Furthermore, concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR significantly suppressed calcium, VDR, Wnt/b-catenin signaling, as well as epithelial adherence junction signaling to maintain appropriate keratinocyte adhesion. These results indicated the interplay of calcium/CaSR and 1,25D3/VDR signaling in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, and their importance in maintaining normal epidermal adhesion and functions. n=3 CON and KO (each sample contain RNA isolated from neonatal epidermis separated from 3 mice)
Project description:The vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates cell proliferation and differentiation including epidermal keratinocytes by modulating transcription of its target genes. We are investigating the role of VDR in epidermal stem cells and their progenies in the regeneration process of epidermis and hair in the skin. VDR null mice are utilized in which VDR is specifically deleted in keratin 14 (K14) expressing keratinocytes by Cre-lox strategy. The impact of VDR deletion was evaluated by comparison of VDR null mice with no cre littermate control mice. The VDR was abundantly expressed in potential epidermal stem cells including basal cells in interfollicular epidermis (IFE), and in CD34 expressing bulge keratinocytes in hair follicles. Gene expression profiles and subsequent pathway analysis of stem cell enriched keratinocyte populations revealed that the VDR deletion significantly suppressed β-catenin signaling as well as VDR signaling. The role of VDR in epidermal stem cells was studied during hair follicle cycling and wound healing processes. The epidermal stem cells were not appropriately stimulated by hair depilation, and did not reinitiate anagen in the hair follicles resulting in a failure of hair regrowth. In addition, the stem cells were not fully activated after full thickness wounds were generated in VDR null skin under a low calcium diet to suppress compensation pathways. Cell proliferation was not fully induced in potential stem cells located in both IFE and hair follicles near the wounding edges, and re-epithelialization rate was delayed in VDR null skin. Gene expression profiling of the wounded skin (3 days after injury) indicated that β-catenin signaling was not fully induced in VDR null skin comparable to that observed in β-catenin null mice. The β-catenin target genes including Axin2 and cell cycle regulators involved in epidermal stem cell function were not induced in the edges of the wound of VDR null skin. These results demonstrated that VDR plays an essential role in hair cycling and wound healing processes through regulation of β-catenin signaling in epidermal stem cells and their progenies. n=3 CON and KO (each sample contain RNA isolated from wounded or nonwounded skins excised from 3 mice)
Project description:Calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3), through the actions of their respective receptors, the Ca2+-sensing receptor (CaSR) and the vitamin D receptor (VDR), potentiate keratinocyte differentiation. VDR regulates epidermal keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation by modulating gene transcription, whereas the CaSR, a member of the family C G-protein coupled receptor, calcium mobilizes intracellular calcium and induces the formation of cell-cell junctions. 1,25D3 augments the sensitivity of the prodifferentiating actions of calcium by increasing the expression of CaSR. CaSR- and VDR-deficient keratinocytes share common characteristics such as abnormal intercellular adhesion and sphigolipid metabolism. Both CaSR and VDR are abundantly expressed in epidermal stem cell populations including CD34 expressing bulge keratinocytes in hair follicles and basal cells in interfollicular epidermis. To delineate the role of CaSR- and VDR-dependent pathways in regulating epidermal development and functions in physiological state, we generated conditional CaSR-null and VDR-null mice, where Casr and VDR gene was removed from keratinocytes. Keratinocyte-specific CaSR-null and VDR-null mice manifest distinct phenotypes. CaSR-null mice display defective epidermal permeability barrier function due to aberrant keratinocyte differentiation. VDR-null mice develop alopecia after completing the first hair follicle cycling. Concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR genes in keratinocytes delays rate of wound repair and increases incidence of skin tumor formation to a greater extent than deletion of the CaSR or VDR alone, indicative of synergistic effects of calcium and 1,25D3 signaling. Gene expression profiles and subsequent pathway analysis on the epidermis derived from 5-day-old neonates revealed that ablation of CaSR or VDR increased expression of genes associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Deletion of VDR markedly inhibited signaling pathways that regulate hair development. Furthermore, concurrent ablation of CaSR and VDR significantly suppressed calcium, VDR, Wnt/b-catenin signaling, as well as epithelial adherence junction signaling to maintain appropriate keratinocyte adhesion. These results indicated the interplay of calcium/CaSR and 1,25D3/VDR signaling in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, and their importance in maintaining normal epidermal adhesion and functions.
Project description:The vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates cell proliferation and differentiation including epidermal keratinocytes by modulating transcription of its target genes. We are investigating the role of VDR in epidermal stem cells and their progenies in the regeneration process of epidermis and hair in the skin. VDR null mice are utilized in which VDR is specifically deleted in keratin 14 (K14) expressing keratinocytes by Cre-lox strategy. The impact of VDR deletion was evaluated by comparison of VDR null mice with no cre littermate control mice. The VDR was abundantly expressed in potential epidermal stem cells including basal cells in interfollicular epidermis (IFE), and in CD34 expressing bulge keratinocytes in hair follicles. Gene expression profiles and subsequent pathway analysis of stem cell enriched keratinocyte populations revealed that the VDR deletion significantly suppressed β-catenin signaling as well as VDR signaling. The role of VDR in epidermal stem cells was studied during hair follicle cycling and wound healing processes. The epidermal stem cells were not appropriately stimulated by hair depilation, and did not reinitiate anagen in the hair follicles resulting in a failure of hair regrowth. In addition, the stem cells were not fully activated after full thickness wounds were generated in VDR null skin under a low calcium diet to suppress compensation pathways. Cell proliferation was not fully induced in potential stem cells located in both IFE and hair follicles near the wounding edges, and re-epithelialization rate was delayed in VDR null skin. Gene expression profiling of the wounded skin (3 days after injury) indicated that β-catenin signaling was not fully induced in VDR null skin comparable to that observed in β-catenin null mice. The β-catenin target genes including Axin2 and cell cycle regulators involved in epidermal stem cell function were not induced in the edges of the wound of VDR null skin. These results demonstrated that VDR plays an essential role in hair cycling and wound healing processes through regulation of β-catenin signaling in epidermal stem cells and their progenies.