1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces very low density lipoprotein receptor mRNA expression in HL-60 cells in association with monocytic differentiation

Expression of VLDL receptor mRNA during differentiation of HL-60 cells was investigated by Northern analysis. The expression induced in 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3)-treated cells was 3 times that in untreated cells, while LDL receptor mRNA expression was unchanged. VLDL receptor mRNA levels were not changed in macrophages caused to differentiate from HL-60 cells by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Treatment of sarcoma cells which possess the vitamin D receptor (MG-63 cell line) with 1α,25(OH)2D3 did not affect VLDL receptor mRNA levels. Therefore, 1α,25(OH)2D3 induces VLDL receptor mRNA in HL-60 cells through differentiation-dependent mechanisms.