In vivo upregulation of interleukin-4 is one mechanism underlying the immunoregulatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)

Arch Biochem Biophys. 2000 May 1;377(1):135-8. doi: 10.1006/abbi.2000.1765.

Abstract

The active form of vitamin D (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)) is a potent immune system regulator. In vivo the oral administration of 1, 25-(OH)(2)D(3) completely prevents experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), significantly prolongs allograft survival, and prevents collagen-induced arthritis. 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) given to mice increased IL-4 protein and transcript levels. We have now tested the efficacy of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) on EAE development and allograft survival in IL-4-deficient [knockout (ko)] mice. 1, 25-(OH)(2)D(3) was found to be much less effective in the absence of IL-4, suggesting that IL-4 production is a significant factor in the action of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) on the immune system.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Arthritis / chemically induced
  • Arthritis / prevention & control
  • Calcitriol / administration & dosage
  • Calcitriol / immunology*
  • Calcitriol / pharmacology*
  • Calcitriol / therapeutic use
  • Collagen / pharmacology
  • Disease Susceptibility / immunology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / genetics
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / mortality
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Graft Survival / drug effects
  • Graft Survival / immunology
  • H-2 Antigens / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / deficiency
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology*
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mice, Knockout
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Recurrence
  • Transplantation, Homologous / immunology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects*

Substances

  • H-2 Antigens
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Interleukin-4
  • Collagen
  • Calcitriol