TLDR Mice without the vitamin D receptor have bone issues and other health problems, suggesting vitamin D is important for preventing various diseases in humans.
The document from 2008 discusses the importance of the vitamin D endocrine system, particularly the role of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)2D], in maintaining calcium and bone homeostasis. Studies on mice with a deleted VDR gene revealed that the absence of VDR or the enzyme CYP27B1 results in bone abnormalities similar to those seen in humans with congenital diseases or severe vitamin D deficiency. The research highlighted that the intestine is a critical target for VDR action, as normal bone health can be restored with high calcium intake or selective VDR activation in the intestine. The VDR is expressed in many tissues, and the vitamin D system potentially regulates about 3% of the mouse or human genome. VDR-deficient mice develop total alopecia, which is not seen in mice deficient in vitamin D or 1α-hydroxylase, suggesting distinct roles for VDR and its ligand. While the immune system appears generally normal in VDR- or vitamin D-deficient mice, there is an increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. These mice also do not spontaneously develop cancer but are more susceptible to tumors when exposed to oncogenes or carcinogens. Additionally, they exhibit high renin hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and increased thrombogenicity. The findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency in humans may be linked to a higher prevalence of various diseases, and the paper calls for prospective studies on vitamin D supplementation to determine the benefits of maintaining optimal vitamin D levels.
Cited in this study
11 / 11 results
510 citations
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December 2006 in “Endocrinology” The vitamin D receptor is involved in multiple body functions beyond calcium regulation, including immune response and rapid reactions not related to gene activity.
78 citations
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January 2006 in “Endocrinology” Hairless protein can block vitamin D activation in skin cells.
137 citations
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September 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America” The HR protein helps hair grow by blocking a hair growth inhibitor, aiding in hair follicle regeneration.
166 citations
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February 2005 in “Behavioural brain research” Vitamin D receptor knockout mice have significant motor impairments but no cognitive deficits.
140 citations
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April 2004 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” The enzyme 25 Hydroxyvitamin D 1 α-Hydroxylase is essential for healthy skin and recovery after skin damage.
29 citations
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January 2003 in “KARGER eBooks” HVDRR is caused by VDR gene mutations, leading to vitamin D resistance, treatable with high calcium doses, but alopecia remains permanent.
57 citations
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April 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Vitamin D receptor is crucial for starting hair growth after birth.
180 citations
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January 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Vitamin D Receptor is crucial for normal skin and hair growth.
139 citations
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September 2001 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Mutations in the Vitamin D receptor gene can cause hair loss similar to mutations in the Hairless gene.
1010 citations
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August 2000 in “Cell” Hair follicle stem cells can form both hair follicles and skin.
1308 citations
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March 1998 in “Journal of bone and mineral research” The vitamin D receptor is crucial for bone health and affects various body systems, with mutations potentially leading to disease.