The Transcriptomic Response of Mixed Neuron-Glial Cell Cultures to 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Includes Genes Limiting the Progression of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nissou, Marie-France | Brocard, Jacques | El Atifi, Michèle | Guttin, Audrey | Andrieux, Annie | Berger, François | Issartel, Jean-Paul | Wion, Didier^{; *}

Affiliations: INSERM U836, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra, Université Joseph Fourier, CHU Michallon, Grenoble, France

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Didier Wion, INSERM U836, Bâtiment Edmond J. Safra, Université Joseph Fourier, CHU Michallon, 38043, Grenoble, France. E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Seasonal or chronic vitamin D deficiency and/or insufficiency is highly prevalent in the human population. Receptors for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the hormonal metabolite of vitamin D, are found throughout the brain. To provide further information on the role of this hormone on brain function, we analyzed the transcriptomic profiles of mixed neuron-glial cell cultures in response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 treatment increases the mRNA levels of 27 genes by at least 1.9 fold. Among them, 17 genes were related to neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, or brain morphogenesis. Notably, 10 of these genes encode proteins potentially limiting the progression of Alzheimer's disease. These data provide support for a role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in brain disease prevention. The possible consequences of circannual or chronic vitamin D insufficiencies on a tissue with a low regenerative potential such as the brain should be considered.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's disease, psychiatric diseases, vitamin D

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-122005

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 553-564, 2013