Aims: Both, vitamin D 3 and human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) possess immunosuppressive properties, but their combined effect on immune cells has never been investigated. Here, we analysed the impact of vitamin D 3 on the immunosuppressive properties of hPDLCs towards CD4 + T lymphocytes.
Material and Methods:Allogenic CD4 + T lymphocytes were activated by phytohemagglutinin either in monoculture or co-culture with hPDLCs, in the presence or absence of IFN-γ and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . After 5 days, CD4 + T-lymphocyte proliferation, CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + regulatory T lymphocytes (T regs ) proportion and IL-10, TGF-β1 and IL-17A production were analysed.
Results:In monoculture, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 suppressed CD4 + T-lymphocyte proliferation, increased the percentage of CD4 + FoxP3 + CD25 + FoxP3 + T regs and enhanced IL-10 and TGF-β1 production. In the presence of IFN-γ treated hPDLCs, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 significantly increased CD4 + T-lymphocyte proliferation and decreased the percentage of CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + T regs . IL-10 and IL-17A expression was significantly diminished by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , whereas TGF-β1 was slightly increased. The effects of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in co-culture were reversed by inhibition of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1, prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1. 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 also suppressed the expression of these proteins in hPDLCs.
Conclusion:Effects of vitamin D 3 on CD4 + T lymphocyte are modified by hPDLCs depending on the microenvironment.
K E Y W O R D SCD4-Positive T Lymphocytes, co-culture, Immunomodulation, Periodontal Ligament, Vitamin D