1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 impairs the differentiation of effector memory T cells in vitro in multiple sclerosis patients and healthy controls

J Neuroimmunol. 2015 Feb 15:279:20-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.12.018. Epub 2015 Jan 3.

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) and increased disease activity. Vitamin D is a potent immunomodulator but the effects of vitamin D treatment on T cell memory have not been explored. We studied the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) on T cell memory in MS patients (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 10). In vitro treatment of PBMC cultures with 1,25(OH)2D3, led to a decrease in the proportion of effector memory T cells with an increase in naïve T cells, compared to vehicle in both groups. Further studies to unravel the mechanism of this effect and to understand its long-term implications are required.

Keywords: Immunological memory; Multiple sclerosis; T cell; Vitamin D.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens, CD / metabolism
  • Calcitriol / deficiency*
  • Calcitriol / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology*
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / metabolism
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / immunology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / pathology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • CXCR3 protein, human
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Calcitriol