Vitamin D has a direct immunomodulatory effect on CD8+ T cells of patients with early multiple sclerosis and healthy control subjects

• Published in: Journal of neuroimmunology 2011-04, Vol.233 (1), p.240-244
• Main Authors: Lysandropoulos, Andreas P, Jaquiéry, Emilie, Jilek, Samantha, Pantaleo, Giuseppe, Schluep, Myriam, Du Pasquier, Renaud A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergy and Immunology; CD8+ T cells; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - secretion; Cells, Cultured; Epstein–Barr virus; Humans; Immunologic Factors - pharmacology; Immunologic Factors - therapeutic use; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Multiple Sclerosis - pathology; Neurology; Vitamin D; Vitamin D - pharmacology; Vitamin D - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0165-5728; 1872-8421
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.11.008

Abstract Little is known on a putative effect of vitamin D on CD8+ T cells. Yet, these cells are involved in the immmunopathogenesis of MS. We assessed the cytokine profile of EBV-specific CD8+ T cells of 10 early MS patients and 10 healthy control subjects with or without 1,25(OH)2 D3 and found that, with 1,25(OH)2 D3 , these cells secreted less IFN-γ and TNF-α and more IL-5 and TGF-β. CD4+ T cell depletion or even culture with CD8+ T cells only did not abolish the immunomodulatory effect of 1,25(OH)2 D3 on CD8+ T cells, suggesting that 1,25(OH)2 D3 can act directly on CD8+ T cells.