Open this publication in new window or tab >>2025 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]
Cell communication mediated by growth factors and steroid hormones plays a critical role in regulating proliferation, migration and survival. Dysregulation of these signaling pathways is commonly implicated in the progression of cancer. Among steroid hormones, vitamin D metabolites, in particular 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 have demonstrated anti-tumor properties. In paper I, we investigated the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analog tacalcitol on cell signaling and anchorage-independent growth in glioblastoma cell lines T98G and U251. Both compounds modulated key signaling proteins, including STAT3 and suppressed anchorage-independent growth, supporting their potential to reduce tumorigenicity in glioblastoma. The effects of tacalcitol were stronger than for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, indicating that even minor modifications of vitamin D can impact its effect on signaling. In paper II, we explored the role of protein disulphide-isomerase A3 (PDIA3), an alternative receptor for 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated signaling. Silencing PDIA3 in prostate cancer (PC3, DU145) cells disrupted proliferation, increased migration, and altered the expression of vitamin D-regulating enzymes and transcription factors. Cellular thermal shift assay indicated that 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 directly or indirectly interacts with PDIA3, suggesting PDIA3 involvement in mediating 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 responses. In paper III, we studied the crosstalk between 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and the growth factors epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) -BB in U2OS cells. EGF enhanced vitamin D-induced expression of the catabolic enzyme CYP24A1 via AKT and ERK1/2 pathways, while 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppressed PDGF-induced proliferation and receptor phosphorylation, highlighting reciprocal regulation between 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and growth factor signaling. In paper IV, we examined the effects of the oxidized cholesterol derivative 24-hydroxycholesterol in T98G glioblastoma cells. 24-hydroxycholesterol altered the cell morphology, suppressed proliferation and enhanced migration. 24-hydroxycholesterol increased the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers in a liver X receptor (LXR)-dependent manner. This thesis provides insight into the effects of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-mediated signaling in the regulation of cancer cell behavior and crosstalk with growth factor signaling involving EGF and PDGF. The thesis supports the role of PDIA3 in 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-signaling responses. By modulating key pathways that control proliferation, migration, and differentiation, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and vitamin D analogs demonstrate mechanisms that may contribute to anti-cancer activity and offer potential targets for therapeutic intervention.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2025. p. 78
Series
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Pharmacy, ISSN 1651-6192 ; 382
Keywords
1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, Cell Signaling, Crosstalk, Vitamin D Analog, Protein Disulphide-Isomerase A3 (PDIA3), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), 24-Hydroxycholesterol, Proliferation, Migration.
National Category
Cell and Molecular Biology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-564673 (URN)978-91-513-2553-8 (ISBN)
Public defence
2025-10-03, B7:101, BMC, Husargatan 3, Uppsala, 09:15 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
2025-09-092025-08-122025-09-09