Effect of parathyroid hormone and teriparatide on immune function of human adherent and non-adherent leukocytes

Clinical data indicate that patients with hyperparathyroidism due to chronic kidney disease have abnormal immune function. We evaluated the direct effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and two 1-34 peptide fragments of PTH on immune function in activated leukocytes from healthy donors. IL-6 and IL-8 were measured from supernatants from phytohemagglutinin-activated non-adherent and lipopolysaccharide-activated adherent leukocytes in the presence of PTH and the two peptides using ELISA. Data showed no significant change in IL-6 and IL-8 production using PTH (0.1 - 0.8 microM) or two peptides (0.2 - 1.6 microM). Lymphocyte proliferation using 3H-thymidine was not inhibited with 0.1 - 0.4 microM of PTH. However, lymphocyte proliferation was significantly inhibited at the highest dose (0.8 microM) of PTH. There was no effect of two peptides on lymphocyte proliferation. Except for inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation at the highest dose of PTH tested, our data demonstrate no direct effect of PTH and two peptide fragment on immune function.