Vitamin D receptor signaling in renal and cardiovascular protection

Semin Nephrol. 2013 Sep;33(5):433-47. doi: 10.1016/j.semnephrol.2013.07.005.

Abstract

The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with chronic kidney disease is believed to be an important risk factor for the cardiorenal syndrome commonly seen in this patient population. African Americans suffer a disproportionally high incidence of renal and cardiovascular disease with poor disease outcome, which may be partly attributed to their low vitamin D status in part owing to low subcutaneous photoproduction of vitamin D. Mounting evidence from animal and clinical studies has shown beneficial effects of vitamin D therapy on the renal and cardiovascular systems, and the underlying renoprotective and cardioprotective mechanisms of vitamin D receptor (VDR)-mediated signaling are under intense investigation. In this article, our most recent understanding of the renal protective mechanism of the podocyte VDR signaling against diabetic nephropathy and the anti-atherosclerotic role of macrophage VDR signaling in the regulation of atherosclerosis is reviewed.

Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency; atherosclerosis; diabetic nephropathy; macrophage; podocyte; renin-angiotensin system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology
  • Black or African American
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Macrophages / physiology
  • Mice
  • Podocytes / physiology
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Vitamin D