Immunocytochemical detection of a reduction in 1,25 dihyroxyvitamin D3 receptor expression in uraemic parathyroid tissue.
BACKGROUND
The vitamin D receptor is expressed in nuclei of parathyroid cells and plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth and parathyroid hormone secretion. A number of studies have shown reduced receptor expression in uraemic parathyroid glands but the relationship between receptor expression and renal function has not been identified.


METHODS
This study used archive parathyroid tissue from patients with primary adenomas, dialysis patients with diffuse hyperplasia secondary to uraemia and normal parathyroid tissue. An immunocytochemical assay with a vitamin D receptor antibody was used to identify parathyroid cells expressing receptor in their nuclei.


RESULTS
In patients with a serum creatinine < or = 110 mumol/l, 81.94% +/- 6.5 of parathyroid cells expressed vitamin D receptor. This fell to a mean of 49.3% in two patients with a serum creatinine between 110 and 300 mumol/l and to 40.17% +/- 8.6 in dialysis patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin D receptor expression in parathyroid glands is reduced in renal failure.
Fletcher
S
S
Renal Unit, Leeds General Infirmary, UK.
Brownjohn
A M
AM
Dunwell
C
C
Harnden
P
P
D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010280:Parathyroid Glands / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014511:Uremia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol