Distribution of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor immunoreactivity in the rat brain and spinal cord

A complete mapping study on the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor immunorea ctivity within the rat central nervous system was performed with a monoclon al and a polyclonal antibody. Specific immunostaining was observed within b oth nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of a variety of cells in the cereb ellum, mesopontine area, diencephalon, cortex, spinal cord, and limbic syst em. Both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies provided similar staining pat terns. The monoclonal antibody stained distinct domains within the nuclei o f all and the cytoplasm of specific neuronal cell types, like motor neurons , Purkinje cells, and pyramidal cells of the cortex more clearly than the p olyclonal antibody. The expression of vitamin D3 receptor in the rat centra l nervous system was confirmed by in situ hybridisation. The widespread dis tribution of vitamin D3 receptor in distinct portions of the sensory, motor , and limbic brain systems suggests multiple functional properties of 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the central nervous system. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.