title: Inhibition of interleukin-1 production by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.
abstract: The hormonal form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], inhibits the proliferation of T lymphocytes and production of growth-promoting factors (including interleukin-2) (IL2) in CTLL2 murine cells. In this study, we investigated the role of monocytes in this hormone-mediated inhibitory effect, by testing the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on the ability of the mitogenic lectin phytohemagglutinin (PHA) to induce T cell activation in either a monocyte-dependent or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-driven (monocyte-independent) system. The results indicate that proliferation of T cells and production of growth-promoting factors are inhibited by 1,25-(OH)2D3 only in the monocyte-dependent system. Preincubation of monocytes with 1,25-(OH)2D3 for various periods of time and subsequent removal of the hormone resulted in inhibition of the PHA-driven proliferation of T cells. Preincubation for 2 h resulted in 20% inhibition, while preincubation for 36 h reduced proliferation to 50% of the control value [no 1,25-(OH)2D3 exposure]. These data suggested that monocytes are important participants in 1,25-(OH)2D3-mediated events. Therefore, we tested the effects of the hormone on the production of IL1, a monocyte-derived product thought to be involved in the induction of IL2 release and the subsequent development of the T cell proliferative response. 1,25-(OH)2D3 inhibited the production of both extracellular and cell-associated immunoreactive IL1 alpha and IL1 beta. Indomethacin, a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, did not alter the inhibitory properties of 1,25-(OH)2D3, suggesting that prostaglandins are not responsible for the inhibitory phenomenon. We conclude that part of the ability of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to inhibit T cell proliferation may be due to direct effects on monocytes by down-regulating IL-1 production. However, it is unlikely that the immunoregulatory properties of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on T cells are mediated solely through monocytes, and it is possible that the hormone also exerts its influence directly on T cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, San Diego State University, California 92182.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Tsoukas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watry
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Escobar
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Provvedini
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dinarello
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Hustmyer
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Manolagas
mesh_terms: D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D002117:Calcitriol; D007213:Indomethacin