ZK 159222 is an antagonist of the vitamin D receptor (VDR).^1,2It stabilizes the VDR in an antagonistic conformation that prevents interaction with coactivator proteins.³ZK 159222 inhibits VDR-mediated target gene activation when used at concentrations of 300 and 1,000 nM in reporter assays. Preincubation of preadipocytes with ZK 159222 (0.01 and 1 µM) decreases the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, and RANTES induced by macrophage-conditioned medium (MacCM).⁴It also decreases the secretion of these cytokines in preadipocytes prestimulated with MacCM and decreases MacCM-induced phosphorylation of p44/42 and p38 MAPK in preadipocytes.

1.Herdick, M., Steinmeyer, A., and Carlberg, C.Antagonistic action of a 25-carboxylic ester analogue of 1ɑ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is mediated by a lack of ligand-induced vitamin D receptor interaction with coactivatorsJ. Biol. Chem.275(22)16506-16512(2000) 2.Herdick, M., Steinmeyer, A., and Carlberg, C.Carboxylic ester antagonists of 1ɑ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 show cell-specific actionsChem. Biol.7(11)885-894(2000) 3.Bury, Y., Steinmeyer, A., and Carlberg, C.Structure activity relationship of carboxylic ester antagonists of the vitamin D3 receptorMol. Pharmacol.58(5)1067-1074(2000) 4.Zhu, J., and Wilding, J.P.H.The 1α,25(OH)2D3 analogs ZK159222 and ZK191784 show anti-inflammatory properties in macrophage-induced preadipocytes via modulating the NF-κB and MAPK signalingDiabetes Metab. Syndr. Obes.131715-1724(2020)