T-cell cytokines differentially control human monocyte antimicrobial responses by regulating vitamin D metabolism

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Dec 28;107(52):22593-8. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1011624108. Epub 2010 Dec 13.

Abstract

We investigated the mechanisms by which T-cell cytokines are able to influence the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced, vitamin D-dependent antimicrobial pathway in human monocytes. T-cell cytokines differentially influenced TLR2/1-induced expression of the antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin and DEFB4, being up-regulated by IFN-γ, down-regulated by IL-4, and unaffected by IL-17. The Th1 cytokine IFN-γ up-regulated TLR2/1 induction of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase (i.e., CYP27B1), leading to enhanced bioconversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25D(3)) to its active metabolite 1,25D(3). In contrast, the Th2 cytokine IL-4, by itself and in combination with the TLR2/1 ligand, induced catabolism of 25D(3) to the inactive metabolite 24,25D(3), and was dependent on expression of vitamin D-24-hydroxylase (i.e., CYP24A1). Therefore, the ability of T-cell cytokines to differentially control monocyte vitamin D metabolism represents a mechanism by which cell-mediated immune responses can regulate innate immune mechanisms to defend against microbial pathogens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase / genetics
  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / genetics
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Calcitriol / metabolism
  • Cathelicidins
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-4 / pharmacology
  • Monocytes / cytology
  • Monocytes / drug effects*
  • Monocytes / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Steroid Hydroxylases / genetics
  • Steroid Hydroxylases / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 1 / metabolism
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2 / metabolism
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / metabolism*
  • Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase
  • beta-Defensins / genetics
  • beta-Defensins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Cytokines
  • DEFB4A protein, human
  • TLR2 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 1
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
  • beta-Defensins
  • Vitamin D
  • Interleukin-4
  • Interferon-gamma
  • 25-hydroxyvitamin D
  • Steroid Hydroxylases
  • CYP24A1 protein, human
  • Vitamin D3 24-Hydroxylase
  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase
  • Calcitriol
  • Cathelicidins