Regulation of serum 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 levels by fibroblast growth factor 23 is mediated by FGF receptors 3 and 4

Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2011 Aug;301(2):F371-7. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00740.2010. Epub 2011 May 11.

Abstract

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone implicated in the pathogenesis of several hypophosphatemic disorders. FGF23 causes hypophosphatemia by decreasing the expression of sodium phosphate cotransporters (NaPi-2a and NaPi-2c) and decreasing serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels. We previously showed that FGFR1 is the predominant receptor for the hypophosphatemic actions of FGF23 by decreasing renal NaPi-2a and 2c expression while the receptors regulating 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels remained elusive. To determine the FGFRs regulating 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels, we studied FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice as these mice have shortened life span and are growth retarded similar to FGF23(-/-) and Klotho(-/-) mice. Baseline serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels were elevated in the FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice (102.2 ± 14.8 vs. 266.0 ± 34.0 pmol/l; P = 0.001) as were the serum levels of FGF23. Administration of recombinant FGF23 had no effect on serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) in the FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice (173.4 ± 32.7 vs. 219.7 ± 56.5 pmol/l; vehicle vs. FGF23) while it reduced serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels in wild-type mice. Administration of FGF23 to FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice resulted in a decrease in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and an increase in serum phosphorus levels mediated by increased renal phosphate reabsorption. These data indicate that FGFR3 and 4 are the receptors that regulate serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels in response to FGF23. In addition, when 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels are not affected by FGF23, as in FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice, a reduction in PTH can override the effects of FGF23 on renal phosphate transport.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcitriol / blood*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phosphates / metabolism
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / metabolism*
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fgf23 protein, mouse
  • Phosphates
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor-23
  • Fgfr3 protein, mouse
  • Fgfr4 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4
  • Calcitriol