Vitamin D insufficiency, hemoglobin, and anemia in children with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) deficiency is common in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It has been associated with an increased risk for anemia in both healthy US children and in adults with CKD. This association has not been explored in children with CKD. METHODS: Children aged 1-16 enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) study with mild to moderate kidney dysfunction, and with 25OHD measured at baseline (n = 580), were included in the analysis. The cross-sectional associations between 25OHD and hemoglobin (g/dL) and anemia were assessed. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin < 5th percentile for age and sex. RESULTS: Overall 334 (57.59%) children were vitamin D insufficient/deficient and 137 (23.62%) were anemic. Of those who were vitamin D insufficient/deficient, 95 (28.44%) were anemic. In the overall cohort, the odds of being anemic was 1.9 times higher (95% CI, 1.22-3.04, p < 0.01) in vitamin D insufficient/deficient vs sufficient children, when adjusting for covariates (age, sex, race [black, white, or other], body mass index (BMI), iohexol GFR (iGFR), erythropoietin stimulation agent (ESA) use, iron supplementation use, and underlying cause of CKD). Stratified by race, the odds of being anemic was 2.39 times higher (95% CI, 1.41-4.05, p = 0.001) in vitamin D insufficient/deficient vs vitamin D sufficient white children. The association between vitamin D status and anemia was not significant in black children. CONCLUSIONS: The data support our hypothesis that vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency increases the odds of anemia in children with CKD. The effect was strong and significant among white, but not black, children.

Burosumab Therapy in Children with X-Linked Hypophosphatemia.

BACKGROUND: X-linked hypophosphatemia is characterized by increased secretion of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), which leads to hypophosphatemia and consequently rickets, osteomalacia, and skeletal deformities. We investigated burosumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets FGF-23, in patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia. METHODS: In an open-label, phase 2 trial, we randomly assigned 52 children with X-linked hypophosphatemia, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive subcutaneous burosumab either every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks; the dose was adjusted to achieve a serum phosphorus level at the low end of the normal range. The primary end point was the change from baseline to weeks 40 and 64 in the Thacher rickets severity total score (ranging from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater disease severity). In addition, the Radiographic Global Impression of Change was used to evaluate rachitic changes from baseline to week 40 and to week 64. Additional end points were changes in pharmacodynamic markers, linear growth, physical ability, and patient-reported outcomes and the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: The mean Thacher rickets severity total score decreased from 1.9 at baseline to 0.8 at week 40 with every-2-week dosing and from 1.7 at baseline to 1.1 at week 40 with every-4-week dosing (P<0.001 for both comparisons); these improvements persisted at week 64. The mean serum phosphorus level increased after the first dose in both groups, and more than half the patients in both groups had levels within the normal range (3.2 to 6.1 mg per deciliter [1.0 to 2.0 mmol per liter]) by week 6. Stable serum phosphorus levels were maintained through week 64 with every-2-week dosing. Renal tubular phosphate reabsorption increased from baseline in both groups, with an overall mean increase of 0.98 mg per deciliter (0.32 mmol per liter). The mean dose of burosumab at week 40 was 0.98 mg per kilogram of body weight with every-2-week dosing and 1.50 mg per kilogram with every-4-week dosing. Across both groups, the mean serum alkaline phosphatase level decreased from 459 U per liter at baseline to 369 U per liter at week 64. The mean standing-height z score increased in both groups, with greater improvement seen at all time points with every-2-week dosing (an increase from baseline of 0.19 at week 64) than with every-4-week dosing (an increase from baseline of 0.12 at week 64). Physical ability improved and pain decreased. Nearly all the adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. CONCLUSIONS: In children with X-linked hypophosphatemia, treatment with burosumab improved renal tubular phosphate reabsorption, serum phosphorus levels, linear growth, and physical function and reduced pain and the severity of rickets. (Funded by Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical and Kyowa Hakko Kirin; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02163577 ; EudraCT number, 2014-000406-35 ).

Rickets.

Rickets is a bone disease associated with abnormal serum calcium and phosphate levels. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous and depends on the age of onset and pathogenesis but includes bowing deformities of the legs, short stature and widening of joints. The disorder can be caused by nutritional deficiencies or genetic defects. Mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in vitamin D metabolism or action, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) production or degradation, renal phosphate handling or bone mineralization have been identified. The prevalence of nutritional rickets has substantially declined compared with the prevalence 200 years ago, but the condition has been re-emerging even in some well-resourced countries; prematurely born infants or breastfed infants who have dark skin types are particularly at risk. Diagnosis is usually established by medical history, physical examination, biochemical tests and radiography. Prevention is possible only for nutritional rickets and includes supplementation or food fortification with calcium and vitamin D either alone or in combination with sunlight exposure. Treatment of typical nutritional rickets includes calcium and/or vitamin D supplementation, although instances infrequently occur in which phosphate repletion may be necessary. Management of heritable types of rickets associated with defects in vitamin D metabolism or activation involves the administration of vitamin D metabolites. Oral phosphate supplementation is usually indicated for FGF23-independent phosphopenic rickets, whereas the conventional treatment of FGF23-dependent types of rickets includes a combination of phosphate and activated vitamin D; an anti-FGF23 antibody has shown promising results and is under further study.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Risk of CKD Progression in Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) concentrations increase early in the course of CKD in children. High FGF23 levels associate with progression of CKD in adults. Whether FGF23 predicts CKD progression in children is unknown. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: We tested the hypothesis that high plasma FGF23 is an independent risk factor for CKD progression in 419 children, aged 1-16 years, enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) cohort study. We measured plasma FGF23 concentrations at baseline and determined GFR annually using plasma disappearance of iohexol or the CKiD study estimating equation. We analyzed the association of baseline FGF23 with risk of progression to the composite end point, defined as start of dialysis or kidney transplantation or 50% decline from baseline GFR, adjusted for demographics, baseline GFR, proteinuria, other CKD-specific factors, and other mineral metabolites. RESULTS: At enrollment, median age was 11 years [interquartile range (IQR), 8-15], GFR was 44 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (IQR, 33-57), and FGF23 was 132 RU/ml (IQR, 88-200). During a median follow-up of 5.5 years (IQR, 3.5-6.6), 32.5% of children reached the progression end point. Higher FGF23 concentrations were independently associated with higher risk of the composite outcome (fully adjusted hazard ratio, 2.52 in the highest versus lowest FGF23 tertile; 95% confidence interval, 1.44 to 4.39, P=0.002; fully adjusted hazard ratio, 1.33 per doubling of FGF23; 95% confidence interval, 1.13 to 1.56, P=0.001). The time to progression was 40% shorter for participants in the highest compared with the lowest FGF23 tertile. In contrast, serum phosphorus, vitamin D metabolites, and parathyroid hormone did not consistently associate with progression in adjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS: High plasma FGF23 is an independent risk factor for CKD progression in children.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a human monoclonal anti-FGF23 antibody (KRN23) in the first multiple ascending-dose trial treating adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia.

In X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is increased and results in reduced renal maximum threshold for phosphate reabsorption (TmP), reduced serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi), and inappropriately low normal serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2 D) concentration, with subsequent development of rickets or osteomalacia. KRN23 is a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody that binds to FGF23 and blocks its activity. Up to 4 doses of KRN23 were administered subcutaneously every 28 days to 28 adults with XLH. Mean ± standard deviation KRN23 doses administered were 0.05, 0.10 ± 0.01, 0.28 ± 0.06, and 0.48 ± 0.16 mg/kg. The mean time to reach maximum serum KRN23 levels was 7.0 to 8.5 days. The mean KRN23 half-life was 16.4 days. The mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUCn ) for each dosing interval increased proportionally with increases in KRN23 dose. The mean intersubject variability in AUCn ranged from 30% to 37%. The area under the effect concentration-time curve (AUECn ) for change from baseline in TmP per glomerular filtration rate, serum Pi, 1,25(OH)2 D, and bone markers for each dosing interval increased linearly with increases in KRN23 AUCn . Linear correlation between serum KRN23 concentrations and increase in serum Pi support KRN23 dose adjustments based on predose serum Pi concentration.

Prevalence and correlates of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) cohort.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D plays an important role in the mineral and bone disorder seen in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) is highly prevalent in the adult CKD population. METHODS: The prevalence and determinants of 25OHD deficiency (defined as a level <20 ng/ml) were examined longitudinally in 506 children in the CKiD cohort. Predictors of secondary hyperparathyroidism and the determinants of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) levels were also evaluated. RESULTS: Deficiency of 25OHD was observed in 28 % of the cohort at enrollment. Significant predictors of 25OHD deficiency were older age, non-white race, higher body mass index, assessment during winter, less often than daily milk intake, non-use of nutritional vitamin D supplement and proteinuria. Lower values of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), serum 25OHD, calcium and higher levels of FGF23 were significant determinants of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Lower GFR, low serum 25OHD, nephrotic-range proteinuria, and high FGF23 levels were significant determinants of serum 1,25(OH)2 D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Deficiency of 25OHD is prevalent in children with CKD and is associated with potentially modifiable risk factors such as milk intake, nutritional vitamin D supplement use, and proteinuria. 25OHD deficiency is a risk factor for secondary hyperparathyroidism and decreased serum 1,25(OH)2D in children with CKD.

Prolonged Correction of Serum Phosphorus in Adults With X-Linked Hypophosphatemia Using Monthly Doses of KRN23.

CONTEXT: In X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) decreases the renal tubular maximum reabsorption rate of phosphate/glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR) and serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi), resulting in rickets and/or osteomalacia. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to test the hypothesis that monthly KRN23 (anti-FGF23 antibody) would safely improve serum Pi in adults with XLH. DESIGN: Two sequential open-label phase 1/2 studies were done. SETTING: Six academic medical centers were used. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight adults with XLH participated in a 4-month dose-escalation study (0.05-0.6 mg/kg); 22 entered a 12-month extension study (0.1-1 mg/kg). INTERVENTION: KRN23 was injected sc every 28 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was the proportion of subjects attaining normal serum Pi and safety. RESULTS: At baseline, mean TmP/GFR, serum Pi, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] were 1.6 ± 0.4 mg/dL, 1.9 ± 0.3 mg/dL, and 36.6 ± 14.3 pg/mL, respectively. During dose escalation, TmP/GFR, Pi, and 1,25(OH)2D increased, peaking at 7 days for TmP/GFR and Pi and at 3-7 days for 1,25(OH)2D, remaining above (TmP/GFR, Pi) or near [1,25(OH)2D] pre-dose levels at trough. After each of the four escalating doses, peak Pi was between 2.5 and 4.5 mg/dL in 14.8, 37.0, 74.1, and 88.5% of subjects, respectively. During the 12-month extension, peak Pi was in the normal range for 57.9-85.0% of subjects, and ≥25% maintained trough Pi levels within the normal range. Serum Pi did not exceed 4.5 mg/dL in any subject. Although 1,25(OH)2D levels increased transiently, mean serum and urinary calcium remained normal. KRN23 treatment increased biomarkers of skeletal turnover and had a favorable safety profile. CONCLUSIONS: Monthly KRN23 significantly increased serum Pi, TmP/GFR, and 1,25(OH)2D in all subjects. KRN23 has potential for effectively treating XLH.

Disordered FGF23 and mineral metabolism in children with CKD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In children with CKD, information is limited regarding the prevalence and determinants of fibroblast growth factor 23 excess and 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D deficiency across the spectrum of predialysis CKD. This study characterized circulating concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 23 and 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D, and investigated their interrelationships and associations with GFR and secondary hyperparathyroidism in children with CKD who were enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children observational cohort study. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 concentrations and determinants of mineral metabolism were measured in 464 children ages 1-16 years with predialysis CKD. GFR was measured by plasma disappearance of iohexol in 70% of participants and estimated by the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children estimating equation using serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations in the remainder of the participants. Participants were grouped according to CKD stage and by 10-ml/min categories of GFR. RESULTS: Median GFR for the cohort was 45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (interquartile range=33-57; range=15-109). Plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 concentration was above the normal range in 67% of participants (with higher levels observed among participants with lower GFR) before higher levels of serum parathyroid hormone and phosphorus were observed. Plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 levels were 34% higher in participants with glomerular disease than in participants with nonglomerular disease, despite similar GFR. Serum phosphorus levels, adjusted for age, were significantly lower at GFR of 60-69 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) than higher GFR, but thereafter they became higher in parallel with fibroblast growth factor 23 as GFR declined. Serum 1,25-dihyroxyvitamin D concentrations were lower in those participants with low GFR values, high fibroblast growth factor 23 levels, 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency, and proteinuria. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was present in 55% of participants with GFR<50 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). CONCLUSION: In children with predialysis CKD, high plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 is the earliest detectable abnormality in mineral metabolism, and levels are highest in glomerular diseases.

Severe hypercalcemic hyperparathyroidism developing in a patient with hyperaldosteronism and renal resistance to parathyroid hormone.

We evaluated an African American woman referred in 1986 at age 33 years because of renal potassium and calcium wasting and chronic hip pain. She presented normotensive, hypokalemic, hypocalcemic, normophosphatemic, and hypercalciuric. Marked hyperparathyroidism was evident. Urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) excretion did not increase in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) infusion, indicating renal resistance to PTH. X-rays and bone biopsy revealed severe osteitis fibrosa cystica, confirming skeletal responsiveness to PTH. Renal potassium wasting, suppressed plasma renin activity, and elevated plasma and urinary aldosterone levels accompanied her hypokalemia, suggesting primary hyperaldosteronism. Hypokalemia resolved with spironolactone and, when combined with dietary sodium restriction, urinary calcium excretion fell and hypocalcemia improved, in accord with the known positive association between sodium intake and calcium excretion. Calcitriol and oral calcium supplements did not suppress the chronic hyperparathyroidism nor did they reduce aldosterone levels. Over time, hyperparathyroid bone disease progressed with pathologic fractures and persistent pain. In 2004, PTH levels increased further in association with worsening chronic kidney disease. Eventually hypercalcemia and hypertension developed. Localizing studies in 2005 suggested a left inferior parathyroid tumor. After having consistently declined, the patient finally agreed to neck exploration in January 2009. Four hyperplastic parathyroid glands were removed, followed immediately by severe hypocalcemia, attributed to "hungry bone syndrome" and hypoparathyroidism, which required prolonged hospitalization, calcium infusions, and oral calcitriol. Although her bone pain resolved, hyperaldosteronism persisted.

Vitamin D metabolism in the kidney: regulation by phosphorus and fibroblast growth factor 23.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D) plays a critical role in calcium and phosphorus (Pi) metabolism, bone growth, and tissue differentiation. The synthesis of 1,25(OH)(2)D in the proximal renal tubule is the primary determinant of its circulating concentration and is mediated by the mitochondrial enzyme, 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase, CYP27B1). Enzyme activity in the kidney is tightly regulated by several factors, of which Pi and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) are important determinants. In healthy human subjects and experimental animals, dietary Pi restriction and resultant hypophosphatemia stimulate renal 1,25(OH)(2)D production by transcriptional up regulation of the 1α-hydroxylase gene, and this effect is independent of serum concentrations of PTH. Dietary Pi intake and serum Pi concentration also are important determinants of the circulating concentration of FGF-23, itself a potent regulator of Pi and vitamin D metabolism. In several inherited human hypophosphatemic diseases, including X-linked hypophosphatemia, serum FGF-23 concentrations are increased, resulting in renal Pi wasting, hypophosphatemia, inappropriately low serum concentrations of 1,25(OH)(2)D, and growth retardation and rickets in children. Experimental studies demonstrate that direct administration of recombinant FGF-23 or its over-expression in mice induces a dose-dependent decrease in renal CYP27B1 mRNA expression, an increase in renal 24-hydroxylase mRNA expression, and a consequent decrease in serum 1,25(OH)(2)D concentrations. Studies in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that activation of MEK/ERK1/2 signaling in the kidney is necessary for the suppression of CYP27B1 gene expression by FGF-23. Thus, phosphorus and FGF-23 are important physiologic determinants of the renal metabolism of 1,25(OH)(2)D.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 impairs phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism in vivo and suppresses 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1alpha-hydroxylase expression in vitro.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is critical to the pathogenesis of a distinct group of renal phosphate wasting disorders: tumor-induced osteomalacia, X-linked hypophosphatemia, and autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets. Excess circulating FGF-23 is responsible for their major phenotypic features which include hypophosphatemia due to renal phosphate wasting and inappropriately low serum 1,25(OH)2D concentrations. To characterize the effects of FGF-23 on renal sodium-phosphate (Na/P(i)) cotransport and vitamin D metabolism, we administered FGF-23(R176Q) to normal mice. A single injection (0.33 microg/g body wt) induced significant hypophosphatemia, 20 and 29% decreases (P < 0.001) in brush-border membrane (BBM) Na/Pi cotransport at 5 and 17 h after injection, respectively, and comparable decreases in the abundance of type IIa Na/P(i) cotransporter protein in BBM. Multiple injections (6, 12, and 24 mug/day for 4 days) induced dose-dependent decreases (38, 63, and 75%, respectively) in renal abundance of 1alpha-hydroxylase mRNA (P < 0.05). To determine whether FGF-23(R176Q) exerts a direct action on 1alpha-hydroxylase gene expression, we examined its effects in cultured human (HKC-8) and mouse (MCT) renal proximal tubule cells. FGF-23(R176Q) (1 to 10 ng/ml) induced a dose-dependent decrease in 1alpha-hydroxylase mRNA with a maximum suppression of 37% (P < 0.05). Suppression was detectable after 6 h of exposure and maximal after 21 h. In MCT cells, FGF-23(R176Q) suppressed 1alpha-hydroxylase mRNA and activated the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. The MAPK inhibitor PD98059 effectively abolished FGF-23-induced suppression of 1alpha-hydroxylase mRNA by blocking signal transduction via ERK1/2. These novel findings provide evidence that FGF-23 directly regulates renal 1alpha-hydroxylase gene expression via activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Dietary phosphorus regulates serum fibroblast growth factor-23 concentrations in healthy men.

CONTEXT: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is important in the regulation of phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism. States of excess circulating FGF-23 are associated with renal phosphate wasting and inappropriately low serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D] concentrations. Conversely, states of absent or biologically inactive circulating FGF-23 are associated with increased serum phosphorus and 1,25(OH)(2)D concentrations. Restriction of the dietary intake of phosphorus increases renal phosphate reabsorption and 1,25(OH)(2)D production, whereas the opposite occurs when dietary phosphorus is supplemented. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether serum FGF-23 concentration is regulated by dietary phosphorus and thereby mediates the physiological response of serum 1,25(OH)(2)D to changes in dietary phosphorus. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We studied 13 healthy men as inpatients during a 4-wk dietary phosphorus intervention study. INTERVENTION: Subjects consumed a constant diet that provided 500 mg of phosphorus per day, which was supplemented to achieve three phosphorus intakes, each of 9 d: 1) control = 1500 mg/d; 2) supplemented = 2300 mg/d; 3) restricted = 625 mg/d. Intakes of calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and energy were constant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Serum FGF-23, 1,25(OH)(2)D, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Serum FGF-23 concentrations decreased significantly from 30.7 +/- 8.7 pg/ml during phosphorus supplementation to 19.6 +/- 7.0 pg/ml during phosphorus restriction. Serum 1,25(OH)(2)D concentrations increased significantly from 29 +/- 10 pg/ml (75 +/- 26 pmol/liter) during phosphorus supplementation to 40 +/- 16 pg/ml (104 +/- 42 pmol/liter) during phosphorus restriction (P < 0.001). Serum 1,25(OH)(2)D concentrations varied inversely with those of serum FGF-23 (r = -0.67, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in healthy men, changes in dietary phosphorus within the physiological range of intakes regulate serum FGF-23 concentrations and suggest that dietary phosphorus regulation of 1,25(OH)(2)D production is mediated, at least in part, by changes in circulating FGF-23.

Dietary and serum phosphorus regulate fibroblast growth factor 23 expression and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D metabolism in mice.

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a novel circulating peptide that regulates phosphorus (Pi) and vitamin D metabolism, but the mechanisms by which circulating FGF-23 itself is regulated are unknown. To determine whether the serum FGF-23 concentration is regulated by dietary intake of Pi, we fed wild-type (WT), Npt2a gene-ablated (Npt2a(-/-)), and Hyp mice diets containing varying Pi contents (0.02-1.65%). In WT mice, increases in dietary Pi intake from 0.02-1.65% induced a 7-fold increase in serum FGF-23 and a 3-fold increase in serum Pi concentrations. Across the range of dietary Pi, serum FGF-23 concentrations varied directly with serum Pi concentrations (r(2) = 0.72; P < 0.001). In Npt2a(-/-) mice, serum FGF-23 concentrations were significantly lower than in WT mice, and these differences could be accounted for by the lower serum Pi levels in Npt2a(-/-) mice. The serum concentrations of FGF-23 in Hyp mice were 5- to 25-fold higher than values in WT mice, and the values varied with dietary Pi intake. Fgf-23 mRNA abundance in calvaria was significantly higher in Hyp mice than in WT mice on the 1% Pi diet; in both groups of mice, fgf-23 mRNA abundance in calvarial bone was suppressed by 85% on the low (0.02%) Pi diet. In WT mice fed the low (0.02%) Pi diet, renal mitochondrial 1alpha-hydroxylase activity and renal 1alpha-hydroxylase (P450c1alpha) mRNA abundance were significantly higher than in mice fed the higher Pi diets and varied inversely with serum FGF-23 concentrations (r(2) = 0.86 and r(2) = 0.64; P < 0.001, respectively). The present data demonstrate that dietary Pi regulates the serum FGF-23 concentration in mice, and such regulation is independent of phex function. The data suggest that genotype-dependent and dietary Pi-induced changes in the serum FGF-23 concentration reflect changes in fgf-23 gene expression in bone.

Disordered regulation of renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1alpha-hydroxylase gene expression by phosphorus in X-linked hypophosphatemic (hyp) mice.

X-linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp) mice exhibit hypophosphatemia, impaired renal phosphate reabsorption, defective skeletal mineralization, and disordered regulation of vitamin D metabolism: In Hyp mice, restriction of dietary phosphorus induces a decrease in serum concentration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and renal activity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1alpha-hydroxylase (1alpha-hydroxylase), and induces an increase in renal activity of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-24-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase). In contrast, in wild-type mice, phosphorus restriction stimulates renal 1alpha-hydroxylase gene expression and suppresses that of 24-hydroxylase. To determine the molecular basis for the disordered regulation of vitamin D metabolism in Hyp mice, we determined renal mitochondrial 1alpha-hydroxylase activity and the renal abundance of p450c1alpha and p450c24 mRNA in wild-type and Hyp mice fed either control, low-, or high-phosphorus diets for 5 d. In wild-type mice, phosphorus restriction increased 1alpha-hydroxylase activity and p450c1alpha mRNA expression by 6-fold and 3-fold, respectively, whereas in the Hyp strain the same diet induced changes of similar magnitude but opposite in direction. Phosphorus supplementation was without effect in wild-type mice, whereas in Hyp mice the same diet induced 3-fold and 2-fold increases, respectively, in enzyme activity and p450c1alpha mRNA abundance. In wild-type mice, both renal 1alpha-hydroxylase activity and p450c1alpha mRNA abundance varied inversely and significantly with serum phosphorus concentrations, whereas in Hyp mice the relationship between both renal parameters and serum phosphorus concentration was direct. In Hyp mice, phosphorus restriction induced a significant increase in renal p450c24 mRNA abundance, in contrast to the lack of effect observed in wild-type mice. The present findings demonstrate that regulation of both the p450c1alpha and p45024 genes by phosphorus is disordered in Hyp mice at the level of renal 1alpha-hydroxylase activity and renal p450c1alpha and p450c24 mRNA expression.

Novel gene mutations in patients with 1alpha-hydroxylase deficiency that confer partial enzyme activity in vitro.

The rate-limiting, hormonally regulated step in the biological activation of vitamin D is its 1alpha-hydroxylation to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25-(OH)(2)D] in the kidney, catalyzed by the mitochondrial cytochrome P450 enzyme, P450c1alpha. We previously cloned the human P450c1alpha cDNA and gene, and identified 14 different mutations, including 7 missense, in 19 patients with 1alpha-hydroxylase deficiency, also known as vitamin D-dependent rickets type 1. None of the missense mutations encoded a protein with detectable enzymatic activity in vitro. Although there is phenotypic variation among such patients, the molecular basis of this variation is unknown. We analyzed 6 additional patients with clinical and radiographic features of rickets; in 4 patients the laboratory abnormalities were typical of 1alpha-hydroxylase deficiency, but in 2 they were unusually mild [mild hypocalcemia and normal serum 1,25-(OH)(2)D concentration]. Direct sequencing revealed that all patients had P450c1alpha mutations on both alleles. Five new and 2 known mutations were identified. The new mutations included a 5-bp deletion with a 6-bp novel insertion causing a frameshift in exon 2, and a G to A change at +1 of intron 2; a minigene experiment proved that this intronic mutation prevented proper splicing. Three new missense mutations were found and tested by expressing the mutant cDNA in mouse Leydig MA-10 cells. The R389G mutant was totally inactive, but mutant L343F retained 2.3% of wild-type activity, and mutant E189G retained 22% of wild-type activity. The two mutations that confer partial enzyme activity in vitro were found in the 2 patents with mild laboratory abnormalities, suggesting that such mutations contribute to the phenotypic variation observed in patients with 1alpha-hydroxylase deficiency.