Expression profiling in squamous carcinoma cells reveals pleiotropic effects of vitamin D3 analog EB1089 signaling on cell proliferation, differentiation, and immune system regulation.

The active form of vitamin D3, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] is key mediator of calcium homeostasis and is a component of the complex homeostatic system of the skin. 1,25-(OH)2D3 regulates cellular differentiation and proliferation and has broad potential as an anticancer agent. Oligonucleotide microarrays were used to assess profiles of target gene regulation at several points over a 48 h period by the low calcemic 1,25-(OH)2D3 analog EB1089 in human SCC25 head and neck squamous carcinoma cells. One hundred fifty-two targets were identified, composed of 89 up- and 63 down-regulated genes distributed in multiple profiles of regulation. Results are consistent with EB1089 driving SCC25 cells toward a less malignant phenotype, similar to that of basal keratinocytes. Targets identified control inter- and intra-cellular signaling, G protein-coupled receptor function, intracellular redox balance, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix composition, cell cycle progression, steroid metabolism, and more than 20 genes modulating immune system function. The data indicate that EB1089 performs three key functions of a cancer chemoprevention agent; it is antiproliferative, it induces cellular differentiation, and has potential genoprotective effects. While no evidence was found for gene-specific differences in efficacy of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and EB1089, gene regulation by 1,25-(OH)2D3 was generally more transient. Treatment of cells with 1,25-(OH)2D3 and the cytochrome P450 inhibitor ketoconazole produced profiles of regulation essentially identical to those observed with EB1089 alone, indicating that the more sustained regulation by EB1089 was due to its resistance to inactivation by induced 24-hydroxylase activity. This suggests that differences in action of the two compounds arise more from their relative sensitivities to metabolism than from differing effects on VDR function.