Lithium-Sensitive Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry in the Regulation of FGF23 Release

Lithium, a widely used drug for the treatment of mood disorders, has previously been shown to stimulate the release of fibroblast growth factor FGF23, a powerful regulator of 1,25(OH)2D3 formation and mineral metabolism. The cellular mechanisms involved have remained elusive. Lithium has been shown to modify Ca2+ signaling. In a wide variety of cells, Ca2+ entry is accomplished by the pore-forming Ca2+ channel subunit Orai1 and its regulator STIM, which stimulates Orai following Ca2+ depletion of intracellular stores. Transcription factors promoting Orai1 expression include NF-κB. The present study thus explored whether the effect of lithium on FGF23 involves and requires Ca2+ entry.

Experiments were performed in UMR106 osteoblastic cells and immortalized primary osteoblasts (IPO). FGF23 and Orai1 transcript levels were estimated from qRT-PCR, cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) from Fura2 fluorescence and store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) from an increase in [Ca2+]i following store depletion by inhibition of the sarcoendoplasmatic Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA) with thapsigargin (1 µM).

SOCE in UMR106 cells was enhanced by lithium treatment, an effect abrogated by Orai1 inhibitor 2-APB (50 µM). FGF23 transcript levels were increased by lithium and inhibited by Orai1 inhibitors 2-APB (50 µM) and YM58483 (100 nM) as well as NF-κB inhibitors wogonin (100 µM) and withaferin A (500 nM). Moreover, Orai1 transcript levels were up-regulated by lithium, an effect attenuated by wogonin and withaferin A.

Lithium stimulates FGF23 release at least in part by NF-κB dependent up-regulation of Orai1 transcription and store operated Ca2+ entry.