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.
Copyright 2000 Academic Press.
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