Expression of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) receptor in the immune system.
In addition to its role in calcium and skeletal homeostasis, there is increasing evidence that the hormonal form of vitamin D, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3), appears to serve as a modulator of the immune system. We have determined the level of the 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) receptor (VDR) in resting and activated lymphocytes by immuno- and ligand-binding assays. As expected from previous work, the total T lymphocyte population contains VDR whose levels are increased when activated and treated with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). Surprisingly, the highest concentrations of VDR are found in CD8 lymphocytes, although significant amounts are also present in CD4 lymphocytes. Furthermore, B lymphocytes do not contain detectable amounts of VDR. Cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage possess small amounts of VDR that are not affected by activation but are increased by treatment with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). These results suggest that CD8 lymphocytes may be a major site of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) action, while B lymphocytes are likely not directly regulated by 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3).
Veldman
C M
CM
Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Cantorna
M T
MT
DeLuca
H F
HF
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D002117:Calcitriol