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Ann Rheum Dis 1999;58:372-378 doi:10.1136/ard.58.6.372
  • Extended reports

Autocrine control of vitamin D metabolism in synovial cells from arthritic patients

  1. Susan J Smitha,
  2. Michael E Hayesb,
  3. Peter L Selbya,
  4. E Barbara Mawera
  1. aUniversity Department of Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, bDepartment of Biological Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
  1. Professor E B Mawer.
  • Accepted 12 February 1999

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to investigate whether 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3), produced by activated synovial fluid macrophages, promotes its own catabolism by upregulating vitamin D-24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) in synovial fibroblasts through a vitamin D receptor (VDR) mediated mechanism.

METHODS Synovial macrophages and fibroblasts were derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Expression of VDR and 24-OHase mRNAs was determined using in situ hybridisation. Vitamin D hydroxylase activity was determined by incubating cells with [3H]-25-(OH)D3, or [3H]-1,25-(OH)2D3, and metabolite synthesis quantified using high performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS 1,25-(OH)2D3increased expression of mRNA for both VDR and 24-OHase in fibroblasts by approximately threefold over 24 hours. 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased fibroblast 24-OHase activity, yielding 24-hydroxylated, and more polar, metabolites. In co-culture, fibroblasts were able to catabolise macrophage derived 1,25-(OH)2D3.

CONCLUSIONS 1,25-(OH)2D3is produced by macrophages in vitro at biologically relevant concentrations and can increase its own catabolism by synovial fibroblasts; this effect is probably mediated via upregulation of both synovial fibroblast VDR and 24-OHase.

Footnotes

  • Funding: this work was supported by the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council for Research.

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