The 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-Independent Actions of the Vitamin D Receptor in Skin

April 2010 in “ Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology ”

Diane R. Dowd, Paul N. MacDonald

Vitamin D Receptor VDR hair follicle cycling UV-induced skin carcinogenesis VDR knockout mice keratinocytes UVB exposure cell cycle arrest DNA repair apoptosis UV-induced skin cancer skin cells cell death

TLDR The vitamin D receptor helps regulate skin and hair health independently of its usual vitamin D ligand.

The study demonstrated that the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) played a crucial role in skin homeostasis, hair follicle cycling, and protection against UV-induced skin carcinogenesis, independent of its ligand, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. VDR knockout mice exhibited hair follicle cycling defects, skin abnormalities, and 100% tumor development with chronic UVB exposure, unlike wild-type controls. VDR was essential for UV-induced cell cycle arrest, DNA repair, and apoptosis, and could control gene expression in keratinocytes without its traditional ligand. These findings suggested potential therapeutic targets for treating skin disorders and hair loss conditions.

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The vitamin D receptor helps regulate skin and hair health independently of its usual vitamin D ligand.

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Hairless protein can block vitamin D activation in skin cells.