Vitamin D Metabolism and Function in the Skin

December 2011 in “ Molecular and cellular endocrinology ”

Daniel D. Bikle

vitamin D keratinocytes 1,25(OH)(2)D vitamin D receptor VDR hair follicle cycle DRIP SRC hairless Hr β-catenin active vitamin D hair cycle beta-catenin

TLDR Skin cells produce and activate vitamin D, which regulates skin functions and supports hair growth.

The keratinocytes in the skin were identified as the primary source of vitamin D for the body and possessed the necessary enzymes to convert vitamin D to its active form, 1,25(OH)(2)D. These cells also expressed the vitamin D receptor (VDR), allowing them to respond to the active metabolite they produced. The active form of vitamin D and its receptor regulated several skin functions, including inhibiting proliferation, stimulating differentiation, forming the permeability barrier, promoting innate immunity, and supporting the hair follicle cycle. The regulation of these actions involved various coregulators such as DRIP, SRC, hairless (Hr), and β-catenin. The review focused on the regulation of vitamin D production and metabolism in the skin and the functions controlled by 1,25(OH)(2)D and its receptor.

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Research cited in this study

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Vitamin D Metabolism and Function in the Skin

Research cited in this study

research Quantification of the Vitamin D Receptor-Coregulator Interaction

research The Vitamin D Receptor Is a Wnt Effector That Controls Hair Follicle Differentiation and Specifies Tumor Type in Adult Epidermis

research Development and Progression of Alopecia in the Vitamin D Receptor Null Mouse

research Hairless Suppresses Vitamin D Receptor Transactivation in Human Keratinocytes

research Targeted Expression of Human Vitamin D Receptor in the Skin Promotes the Initiation of the Postnatal Hair Follicle Cycle and Rescues Alopecia in Vitamin D Receptor Null Mice

research Lack of the Vitamin D Receptor Is Associated with Reduced Epidermal Differentiation and Hair Follicle Growth

research Atrichia Caused by Mutations in the Vitamin D Receptor Gene Is a Phenocopy of Generalized Atrichia Caused by Mutations in the Hairless Gene

research Topographical and Developmental Studies on Target Sites of 1,25 (OH)₂ Vitamin D₃ in Skin

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