Inhibition of Growth by Calcitriol in a Proximal Tubular Cell Line (OK)

Calcitriol has been shown to inhibit (i) cell proliferation of renal carcinoma cell lines and of cultured adult human mesangial cells in vitro, and (ii) renal compensatory growth in vivo. In the present study we examined the effects of calcitriol on DNA synthesis and cell replication in an immortalized cell line showing the phenotypic characteristics of proximal tubular cells (opossum kidney, OK cells). The viability of OK cells was not affected by calcitriol (Trypan-blue exclusion, LDH and K+ release), but the cells did not convert 3H-25(OH)2D3 to 3H-1,25(OH)2D3. In the log growth phase, calcitriol (but not alternative vitamin D metabolites) caused dose-dependent (10(-12) to 10(-6) M) inhibition of radiothymidine incorporation. Inhibition was calcium dependent, i.e. it was more pronounced at the lower nominal calcium concentration in tissue culture media (0.9 versus 1.8 mmol/l) and amplified by coincubation with nifedipine (1 microM). Inhibition of DNA synthesis was paralleled by inhibition of cell replication (growth curve) under basal conditions and after stimulation with EGF (10 ng/ml). In conclusion, calcitriol inhibits proliferation of proximal tubular cells which normally express 1-alpha-hydroxylase activity.