Effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on IL-17/IL-23 axis, IFN-γ and IL-4 expression in systemic lupus erythematosus induced mice model.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-factorial autoimmune disease which may be characterized by T lymphocytes dysfunctions. Th17 cells have been identified as new effector cells, which play an important role in the pathogenesis. In recent years, immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D3 has been noticed. In the present experiment, the effect of vitamin D3 on the expression of IL-17, IL-23, IL-4 and IFN-γ were assessed in activated chromatin-induced mouse model for SLE.


METHODS
Five groups of mice were included in this study; Group one received active chromatin +CFA + PBS; Group 2 received vitamin D3 starting 2 weeks before disease induction; Group 3 received vitamin D3 (50 ng/day) starting with the disease establishment; Group 4 received non active chromatin +CFA + PBS; Group 5 received CFA + PBS. On day 56 splenocytes were isolated and gene expression of interleukin IL-17, IL-23, IL-4 and IFN-γ were analyzed by Real-Time PCR method. Proteinuria and serum anti-dsDNA and Th17 levels were measured using commercial kits.


RESULTS
The results showed that IL-17, IL-23, and IFN-γ mRNA expression, and IL-17 titers were decreased remarkably and that of IL-4 increased in mice which received vitamin D3 before SLE induction. Administration of vitamin D3 after the establishment of SLE failed to affect the IL-17 or IL-23 mRNA levels. Lastly, pre-treatment of mice with vitamin D3 decreased the anti-ds DNA antibody titer.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings showed that vitamin D3 supplementation in lupus induced mice through modulating the expression rate of some inflammatory cytokines diminished the inflammatory conditions in SLE.
Immunology Research Center, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Faraji
Immunology Research Center, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Maryam
M
Rastin
Immunology Research Center, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Fahimeh Lavi
FL
Arab
Pathology Department, Ghaem Hospital, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Kalantari
Immunology Research Center, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Shahrzad Zamani Taghizadeh
SZ
Rabe
Immunology Research Center, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Nafise
N
Tabasi
Immunology Research Center, BuAli Research Institute, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Mahmoud
M
Mahmoudi
Cytokines; Mice; Systemic lupus - erythematosus; Th17 cells; Vitamin D