TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor in immunity to Leishmania major infection
AU - Whitcomb, James P.
AU - Deagostino, Mary
AU - Ballentine, Mark
AU - Fu, Jun
AU - Tenniswood, Martin
AU - Welsh, Joellen
AU - Cantorna, Margherita
AU - McDowell, Mary Ann
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Vitamin D signaling modulates a variety of immune responses. Here, we assessed the role of vitamin D in immunity to experimental leishmaniasis infection in vitamin D receptor-deficient mice (VDRKO). We observed that VDRKO mice on a genetically resistant background have decreased Leishmania major-induced lesion development compared to wild-type (WT) mice; additionally, parasite loads in infected dermis were significantly lower at the height of infection. Enzymatic depletion of the active form of vitamin D mimics the ablation of VDR resulting in an increased resistance to L. major. Conversely, VDRKO or vitamin D-deficient mice on the susceptible Th2-biased background had no change in susceptibility. These studies indicate vitamin D deficiency, either through the ablation of VDR or elimination of its ligand, 1,25D3, leads to an increase resistance to L. major infection but only in a host that is predisposed for Th-1 immune responses.
AB - Vitamin D signaling modulates a variety of immune responses. Here, we assessed the role of vitamin D in immunity to experimental leishmaniasis infection in vitamin D receptor-deficient mice (VDRKO). We observed that VDRKO mice on a genetically resistant background have decreased Leishmania major-induced lesion development compared to wild-type (WT) mice; additionally, parasite loads in infected dermis were significantly lower at the height of infection. Enzymatic depletion of the active form of vitamin D mimics the ablation of VDR resulting in an increased resistance to L. major. Conversely, VDRKO or vitamin D-deficient mice on the susceptible Th2-biased background had no change in susceptibility. These studies indicate vitamin D deficiency, either through the ablation of VDR or elimination of its ligand, 1,25D3, leads to an increase resistance to L. major infection but only in a host that is predisposed for Th-1 immune responses.
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U2 - 10.1155/2012/134645
DO - 10.1155/2012/134645
M3 - Article
C2 - 22007288
AN - SCOPUS:84855286302
SN - 2090-0023
VL - 2012
JO - Journal of Parasitology Research
JF - Journal of Parasitology Research
M1 - 134645
ER -