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Vitamin D3 resolved human and experimental asthma via B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 in T cells and innate
Janina C Grund1, Susanne Krammer1, Zuqin Yang1
1Department of Molecular Pneumology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
Background:
Vitamin D3 (VitD3) is known to have immunomodulatory functions, and VitD3 deficiency is associated with more severe asthma.
Objective:
We aimed to assess the immunoregulatory effects of VitD3 food supplementation on asthma manifestation, with particular focus on T cells and type 2 innate lymphoid cells.
Methods:
Preschool children and adult asthmatic cohorts were analyzed in the context of VitD3 supplementation and serum levels. In a murine model of ovalbumin-induced asthma, effects of diet VitD3 sufficiency and deficiency on T cells and type 2 innate lymphoid cells immune mechanisms were investigated.
Results:
We found less severe and better-controlled asthma phenotypes along with reduced need for steroid medication in preschool children and asthmatic adults with VitD3 supplementation. VitD3 serum levels correlated with B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (Blimp-1) expression in blood peripheral mononuclear cells. VitD3-supplement-fed mice showed decreased asthmatic traits, with a decrease in IgE serum levels, reduced airway mucus, and increased IL-10 production by lung cells. Furthermore, we discovered an upregulation of effector T cells and Blimp-1+ lung tissue-resident memory T cells as well as induction of anti-inflammatory Blimp-1+ lung innate lymphoid cells producing IL-10.
Conclusion:
Supplementing VitD3 resulted in amelioration of clinical asthma manifestations in human studies as well as in experimental allergic asthma, indicating that VitD3 shifts proinflammatory immune responses to anti-inflammatory immune responses via upregulating Blimp-1 in lung innate lymphoid cells and tissue-resident memory cells.
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