Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 23, 2025

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
09:01

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection

Published on: December 10, 2013

8.2K

Vitamin D Induces Differential Effects on Inflammatory Responses During Bacterial and/or Viral Stimulation of Human

Jeremy Anderson1, Lien Anh Ha Do1,2, Zheng Quan Toh1,2

  • 1Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

Frontiers in Immunology
|April 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Vitamin D3 (VitD3) modulates inflammatory responses to pneumococcal infections in children, but has limited effects on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or co-infections. This research explores VitD3

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are leading causes of respiratory infections in children under 5.
  • Co-infections are common and linked to increased disease severity.
  • Low Vitamin D3 (VitD3) levels are associated with higher susceptibility to respiratory pathogens, but its role in pneumococcal and RSV co-infection is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of Vitamin D3 (VitD3) on immune responses to pneumococcal and RSV stimulation, both individually and in co-infection.
  • To understand VitD3's role in modulating inflammatory responses in the context of common childhood respiratory infections.

Main Methods:

  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with pneumococcal whole cell antigen (WCA) and/or RSV.
  • The effects of VitD3 on cytokine secretion (IL-17A, IL-22, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, RANTES) and monocyte/NK cell populations (TLR expression) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • VitD3 significantly reduced Th17 cell expression and IL-17A/IL-22 secretion in response to pneumococcal WCA.
  • VitD3 modulated innate responses to RSV, primarily by reducing IL-6, and altered monocyte and NK cell populations.
  • For pneumococcal-RSV co-stimulation, VitD3 had limited effects, mainly increasing IL-1β and RANTES and TLR4+CD56+ NK cells.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D3 can modulate inflammatory responses to pneumococcal infections.
  • VitD3 demonstrates limited efficacy in modulating immune responses during viral (RSV) or bacterial-viral co-exposure.
  • This study provides novel insights into the potential role of VitD3 in managing excessive inflammation during pneumococcal and RSV infections.

Keywords:
inflammationperipheral blood mononuclear cellspneumococcalrespiratory syncytial virusvitamin D

More Related Videos

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

10.9K
In Vivo Augmentation of Gut-Homing Regulatory T Cell Induction08:02

In Vivo Augmentation of Gut-Homing Regulatory T Cell Induction

Published on: January 22, 2020

5.8K

Related Concept Videos

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
7.3K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
1.6K
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
15.6K
Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular01:30

Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular

The inflammatory response is the body's defense against infection, injury, or irritation from bacteria, trauma, toxins, or heat. Inflammation helps locate and destroy pathogens and remove damaged tissue elements to heal the body. During this initial phase, fluid, blood products, and nutrients migrate to the injured area, resulting in redness, heat, swelling, ache, and loss of function. Moreover, signs of systemic inflammation include fever, increased WBC count, malaise, anorexia, nausea,...
15.6K
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
2.0K