Immunochemical identification of the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor protein in human heart.

A number of recent clinical observations suggest that vitamin D3 plays an important role in maintaining normal cardiovascular function, either directly through its receptor in cardiac muscle, or indirectly through its influence on circulating levels of calcium or on other regulatory factors. By using an antibody directed against the recombinant vitamin D3 receptor, we have identified the receptor protein for 1,25(OH)2D3 in tissue from two human hearts. The identification of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor in human heart lends credence to the hypothesis that 1,25(OH)2D3 directly effects the human heart and may be involved in several clinically relevant pathological conditions involving the vitamin D3 endocrine system.