Antifibrotic effects of hypocalcemic vitamin D analogs in murine and human hepatic stellate cells and in the CCl4 mouse model

Lab Invest. 2019 Dec;99(12):1906-1917. doi: 10.1038/s41374-019-0310-1. Epub 2019 Aug 29.

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis is a life-threatening consequence of liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifibrotic potential of clinically available vitamin D analogs compared to that of calcitriol in vitro and in vivo. Murine hepatic stellate cells, Kupffer cells, and human LX-2 cells were treated with vitamin D analogs, and the profibrotic behavior of these cells was studied. In vivo liver fibrosis was induced using CCl4 until measurable fibrosis was established. Animals were then treated with calcitriol and paricalcitol. Vitamin D and its analogs showed antifibrotic effects in vitro. Treatment with active vitamin D (calcitriol, CAL) and its analogs reduced the protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in mHSC. In human LX-2 cells alfacalcidol reduced transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induced platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β protein expression and contractility while paricalcitol (PCT), in its equipotent dose to CAL, reduced TGF-β induced α-SMA protein expression, and ACTA2 and TGF-β mRNA expression. No effects of a treatment with vitamin D and its analogs were observed in Kupffer cells. In vivo, PCT-treated mice had significantly lower calcium levels than CAL-treated mice. CAL and PCT reduced the hepatic infiltration of CD11b-positive cells and alanine transaminase levels, while PCT but not CAL significantly inhibited fibrosis progression, with a favorable side effect profile in the CCl4 model. We conclude that hypocalcemic vitamin D analogs should be considered in future studies investigating vitamin D for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcitriol / pharmacology
  • Calcitriol / therapeutic use
  • Calcium / blood
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Cell Line
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Ergocalciferols / pharmacology
  • Ergocalciferols / therapeutic use*
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Kupffer Cells / drug effects
  • Liver Cirrhosis / chemically induced
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Ergocalciferols
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Vitamin D
  • paricalcitol
  • Carbon Tetrachloride
  • Calcitriol
  • Calcium