Vitamin D receptor/SMAD genomic circuit gates fibrotic response
The present disclosure provides compositions that include a nanoparticle and a compound that increases the biological activity of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) (e.g., a VDR agonist), and methods of using such compounds to increase retention or storage of vitamin A, vitamin D, and/or lipids by a cell, such as an epithelial or stellate cell. Such methods can be used to treat or prevent fibrosis.
1. A method for treating pancreatic fibrosis in a subject, comprising:
administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising
a nanoparticle comprising retinyl palmitate on its surface, and
calcipotriol, which is in or attached to the nanoparticle,
thereby treating the pancreatic fibrosis in the subject.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administering comprises orally administering the therapeutically effective amount of the composition into the subject.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administering comprises intravenously, intrathecally, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intra-articularly, intratumorally, or subcutaneously administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition into the subject.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human subject.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is a mammalian subject.