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Vitamin D enhances responses to interferon-β in MS
Xuan Feng1, Zhe Wang1, Quentin Howlett-Prieto1
1From the Department of Neurology (X.F., Q.H.-P., N.E., S.C., A.T.R.), University of Chicago Medicine, IL; and Department of Neurology (Z.W.), The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, China.
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
|October 5, 2019
Summary
Vitamin D enhances the interferon-beta (IFN-β) response in multiple sclerosis (MS) immune cells. Combining vitamin D with IFN-β may help reverse immune imbalances and potentially benefit MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Neuroimmunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system.
- Interferon-beta (IFN-β) is a common treatment for MS, but its efficacy and side effects are variable.
- Vitamin D's role in immune regulation and its potential therapeutic effects in MS are under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of vitamin D3 (calcitriol) on interferon-beta (IFN-β) response and immune modulation in mononuclear cells (MNCs) from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- To assess how vitamin D affects IFN-β-induced signaling pathways and cytokine profiles in the context of MS.
Main Methods:
- Mononuclear cells (MNCs) from 126 subjects (MS patients and healthy controls) were cultured in vitro with IFN-β-1b, with or without vitamin D3.
- IFN-β-induced signaling (p-Y-STAT1) and antiviral protein (MxA) activation were measured using flow cytometry and Western blots.
- Serum protein levels and cytokine profiles (Th1, Th2, Th17) were analyzed using multiplex assays.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D significantly enhanced IFN-β-induced responses, including p-Y-STAT1 and MxA activation, in MNCs, T cells, and monocytes from MS patients.
- This enhancement was observed in both untreated MS patients and those receiving IFN-β-1b treatment.
- The combination of vitamin D and IFN-β modulated T helper cell responses, reducing pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17 cytokines and increasing anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines, thereby reversing the Th1/Th2 bias induced by IFN-β alone.
- The beneficial effect of vitamin D on IFN responses was diminished in patients experiencing MS exacerbations or progression and was less pronounced in glatiramer-treated patients compared to IFN-β-treated patients.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D potentiates the in vitro IFN-β response in immune cells relevant to MS pathogenesis.
- Vitamin D can reverse the Th1/Th2 immune bias associated with IFN-β monotherapy in MS.
- The combination of vitamin D and IFN-β demonstrates potential therapeutic benefits for ameliorating MS by modulating immune responses.
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