Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) was initially identified as the causative factor of autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets. Further studies confirmed that FGF23 is predominantly expressed in the osteocytes and osteoblasts of bone and that circulating FGF23 acts on the kidney to inhibit renal phosphate reabsorption and 1,25(OH)2D3 hydroxylation. With the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidneys become insufficient to maintain a normal systemic mineral homeostasis, resulting in various abnormalities of bone and mineral metabolism, generally referred to as Chronic Kidney Disease – Mineral and Bone Disorders (CKD-MBD). FGF23 increases early in the course of CKD in order to maintain normal serum phosphate levels; long before a significant increase in serum phosphate can be detected. Recent studies suggest that increased FGF23 levels are associated with progression of CKD, mortality, and the development of refractory secondary hyperparathyroidism. Because FGF23 is the very earliest marker of CKD-MBD, it is of particular interest to evaluate the relation between FGF23 and CKD-MBD abnormalities, in the setting of early CKD and also in individuals with normal renal function. In the present work, we show that FGF23 is linked to several dynamic measurements of vascular function, including endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and atherosclerosis. FGF23 is also positively associated with left ventricular mass index and an increased risk of having left ventricular hypertrophy. All associations were independent of serum phosphate and were strengthened in subjects with diminished renal function. Furthermore, we found significant evidence for an association between higher FGF23 and increased fat mass and dyslipidemia, which could represent a novel pathway linking FGF23 to cardiovascular disease. Finally, we show that FGF23 is a significant predictor of future fracture risk. Although these associations could be reflecting the increased risk associated with hyperphosphatemia and calcitriol deficiency, current evidence points towards FGF23 being more than an innocent bystander. At the very least, FGF23 holds promise of being a bio-marker of cardiovascular status and phosphate-related toxicity both in CKD and in the general population, and might be a therapeutic target that could improve the fatal prognosis in CKD patients.

<p>The regulation of serum phosphate (Pi) concentrations is a complex process and our current models are far from complete. Due to major advancements in biotechnology and the development of more powerful research tools, recent advances in the field of genetics has led to the identification of several candidates for the long sought-after phosphatonin(s), or Pi regulating hormones. One of these candidates is fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and this thesis is based upon studies of the role of FGF-23 in Pi homeostasis. We demonstrate that FGF-23 is a secreted protein which is highly expressed in tumors giving rise to oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OOM). Furthermore, we have developed a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of circulating FGF-23 and established that FGF-23 is present in the circulation of healthy individuals. Also, FGF-23 serum levels are elevated in patients with disturbances in Pi homeostasis such as OOM, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) and chronic kidney disease and are likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. A transgenic mouse model that express human FGF-23 under the control of the α1(I) collagen promoter exhibit similar clinical and biochemical characteristics as do patients with OOM, XLH and autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets indicating that FGF-23 is an important determinant of Pi homeostasis, vitamin D metabolism and bone mineralization.</p>

The regulation of serum phosphate (Pi) concentrations is a complex process and our current models are far from complete. Due to major advancements in biotechnology and the development of more powerful research tools, recent advances in the field of genetics has led to the identification of several candidates for the long sought-after phosphatonin(s), or Pi regulating hormones. One of these candidates is fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) and this thesis is based upon studies of the role of FGF-23 in Pi homeostasis. We demonstrate that FGF-23 is a secreted protein which is highly expressed in tumors giving rise to oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OOM). Furthermore, we have developed a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of circulating FGF-23 and established that FGF-23 is present in the circulation of healthy individuals. Also, FGF-23 serum levels are elevated in patients with disturbances in Pi homeostasis such as OOM, X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) and chronic kidney disease and are likely to play an important role in the pathogenesis of these disorders. A transgenic mouse model that express human FGF-23 under the control of the α1(I) collagen promoter exhibit similar clinical and biochemical characteristics as do patients with OOM, XLH and autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets indicating that FGF-23 is an important determinant of Pi homeostasis, vitamin D metabolism and bone mineralization.