Vitamin D3 analogue calcipotriol inhibits the profibrotic effects of transforming growth factor-B1 on pancreatic stellate cells

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory effect of vitamin D3 analogue calcipotriol (Cal) on the fibrosis of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) induced by TGF-B1 and the rationality of Cal use in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP). Material and methods: Double-labeling immunofluorescence was used for the identification of VDR+PSCs in the pancreas of healthy controls (HC) and ACP patients. Van Gieson staining for examination of collagen fibers. RT-qPCR and Western Blot for determining the mRNAs and proteins of VDR, TGF-B1 and COL1A1 in the pancreas of ACP or in vitro PSCs. ELISA or LC-MS/MS for detection of serum TGF-B1 and COL1A1 or 25(OH)D3. The PSC line (RP-2 cell) was used for the determination of proteomic alterations in Cal plus TGF-B1 versus TGF-B1 and to examine the effect of VDR gene knockdown. Results: Enhanced expression of VDR was detected in RP-2 cells stimulated with alcohol (ALC) plus Cal versus Cal alone and in PSCs in the pancreas of ACP versus HC. The increased VDR+PSCs were positively correlated with the levels of COL1A1 mRNAs or areas of collagen deposition in the pancreas of ACP. TGF-B1 was overexpressed in the pancreas of ACP and ALC-treated RP-2 cells while 25(OH)D3level in serum was significantly decreased in ACP versus HC. Through a VDR-dependent mechanism, Cal antagonized 16 profibrotic proteins in TGF-B1-induced RP-2 cells that included 7 extracellular matrix components, 2 cytoskeletal proteins, 2 fibrosis-associated factors (RUNX1 and TRAF2), TIMP-1, CCN1, integrin a11, an adhesion scaffold protein (TGFB1i1) and an enzyme mediating TGF-B1-induced fibrogenesis (ENPP1). Conclusion: This study suggests that Cal administration may be a potential antifibrotic strategy via inhibiting TGF-B1-mediated PSC action during the development of ACP.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of vitamin D3 analogue calcipotriol (Cal) on the fibrosis of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) induced by TGF-B1 and the rationality of Cal use in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP). The results showed enhanced expression of VDR in ACP patients and ACP-induced PSCs. Through a VDR-dependent mechanism, Cal antagonized 16 profibrotic proteins in TGF-B1-induced RP-2 cells.