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Lookup NU author(s): Barbara Innes, Dr Judith Bulmer
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The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) is a potent immunomodulatory seco-steroid. We have demonstrated that several components of vitamin D metabolism and signaling are strongly expressed in human uterine decidua from first trimester pregnancies, suggesting that locally produced 1,25(OH)2D3 may exert immunosuppressive effects during early stages of gestation. To investigate this further, we used primary cultures of human decidual cells from first and third trimester pregnancies to demonstrate expression and activity of the enzyme that catalyzes synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3, 1alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1). Synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D3 was higher in first trimester decidual cells (41 ± 11.8 fmoles/h/mg protein) than in third trimester cells (8 ± 4.4 fmoles/h/mg protein; P < 0.05). Purification of decidual cells followed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that CYP27B1 was expressed by both CD10+VE stromal-enriched and CD10-VE stromal-depleted cells, with higher levels of mRNA in first trimester pregnancies. Expression of CYP27B1 correlated with TLR4 and IDO. Functional responses to 1,25(OH)2D3 were studied using CD56+ve natural killer (NK) cells isolated from first trimester decidua. Decidual NK cells treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 or precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) for 28 h showed decreased synthesis of cytokines, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2), tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 6, but increased expression of mRNA for the antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. These data indicate that human decidual cells are able to synthesize active 1,25(OH)2D3, particularly in early gestation, and this may act in an autocrine/paracrine fashion to regulate both acquired and innate immune responses at the fetal-maternal interface. © 2006 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.
Author(s): Evans KN, Nguyen L, Chan J, Innes BA, Bulmer JN, Kilby MD, Hewison M
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Biology of Reproduction
Year: 2006
Volume: 75
Issue: 6
Pages: 816-822
ISSN (print): 0006-3363
ISSN (electronic): 1529-7268
Publisher: Society for the Study of Reproduction
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1095/biolreprod.106.054056
DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.106.054056
PubMed id: 16957024
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