Open AccessEffects of 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 and vitamin D receptor on peripheral CD 4 + / CD 8 + double‐positive T lymphocytes in a mouse model of systemic lupus erythematosus
Author(s) -
Ding Yan,
Liao Wang,
He XiaoJie,
Xiang Wei
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.13037
Subject(s) - calcitriol receptor , medicine , endocrinology , cd8 , receptor , chemistry , vitamin d and neurology , vitamin , knockout mouse , immunology , immune system
This study aims to explore effects of 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 and vitamin D receptor ( VDR ) on peripheral CD 4 + / CD 8 + double‐positive (DP) T lymphocytes in systemic lupus erythematosus ( SLE ). MRL ‐ LP r/ LP r mice with SLE ( n = 20) and normal MRL mice ( n = 20) were assigned into the control group (normal mice, without feeding with 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 ), the 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 group ( SLE mice, feeding with 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 ), the VDR ‐knock‐in + 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 group ( SLE mice, VDR ‐knock‐in, feeding with 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 ) and the VDR ‐knockout group (normal mice, VDR ‐knockout, without feeding with 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 ) ( n = 10 per group). Levels of T lymphocytes were measured by flow cytometry. The mRNA and proteins expressions of inflammatory factors were measured by qRT ‐ PCR and ELISA . Extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2 ( ERK 1/2) expression was measured by Western blotting. Compared with normal mice, SLE mice showed reduced levels of CD 4 + , CD 4 + / CD 8 + ratio, and DP lymphocytes. The levels of SLE ‐related indicators all increased significantly, followed with severe skin ulcers and urinary system infection. With the increase in time, skin ulcers and urinary system infection were significantly improved, levels of CD 4 + , CD 4 + / CD 8 + ratio, and DP lymphocytes increased, and levels of SLE ‐related indicators all decreased in the 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 group. There were no significant changes in bioindicators in the control and the VDR ‐knock‐in + 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 groups. The symptoms of SLE gradually occurred in the VDR ‐knockout group. This study demonstrates that VDR and 1,25( OH ) 2 D 3 could elevate CD 4 + / CD 8 + DP T lymphocytes and reduce expressions of inflammatory factors, thus inhibiting the development and progression of SLE.