Vitamin D₃ deficiency enhances allergen‐induced lymphocyte responses in a mouse model of allergic airway disease

Abstract

There is debate as to whether vitamin D deficiency contributes towards the extent of the asthma epidemic. In this study, using a mouse model, we determined whether vitamin D deficiency in utero and during early life modulated the severity of asthma. Using dietary restriction, vitamin D(3) -replete and vitamin D(3) -deficient colonies of BALB/c mice were established. Utilizing the allergic airway disease model of asthma with the experimental allergen ovalbumin (OVA), we examined asthma-like responses 24 h after airway challenge with OVA in adult offspring born to vitamin D(3) -replete and vitamin D(3) -deficient mothers. The ability of airway-draining lymph node cells to proliferate and secrete cytokines in response to OVA ex vivo was significantly enhanced by vitamin D(3) deficiency. However, other aspects of allergic disease, including the numbers and proportions of inflammatory cells and cytokines in the lungs and the quantity of OVA-specific IgE in serum, were not modified. These results suggest that vitamin D(3) deficiency modulates the capacity of lymphocytes to respond to allergens.

Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D with serum IgE levels in Korean adults

“…Gorman et al reported that the proliferation and secretion of cytokines in response to OVA in lymph node cells was significantly enhanced by vitamin D deficiency. However, the numbers and proportions of inflammatory cells, cytokines, and the OVA-specific IgE level were not associated with vitamin D deficiency [25]. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with higher bronchial hyperresponsiveness in allergic mouse model than those in vitamin D-sufficient mice.…”

Identification of genes differentially regulated by vitamin D deficiency that alter lung pathophysiology and inflammation in allergic airways disease

“…We were also unable to assess changes in Th2 cytokines in the BAL as they were below the limits of detection for the method used. Levels of these cytokines may not be easily detected in BAL due to the relatively high dilution with saline, compared with direct measurement of cells in airway-draining lymph nodes (15). Unfortunately, these cells were not collected in this study.…”

Vitamin D in inflammatory diseases

“…Mechanistically, vitamin D induced protection against airway inflammation has been related to a modulated T cell response to allergens as well as induction of the immunoglobulin-like anti-inflammatory cell surface protein CD200 on T cells, that acts on target immune cells which express the CD200 receptor (CD200R) (Dimeloe et al, 2012; Gorman et al, 2012; Urry et al, 2012). Many authors suggest that the beneficial effect of sufficient vitamin D levels on asthma development results from the immune enhancing effect of vitamin D and the simultaneous prevention of respiratory infections (Ginde et al, 2009; Camargo et al, 2011; Majak et al, 2011; Morales et al, 2012).…”