VitaminD3 regulates T cell immune responses in allergen and Rhinovirus
induced asthma
Abstract
Background: Serum 25(OH)-Vitamin D3 (VitD3) deficiency during infancy
has been associated with asthma. The potential therapeutic role of VitD3
given in the airways and its interference with the allergen and
Rhinovirus was the objective of this study. Methods: In two cohorts of
children with and without asthma, serum levels of the C-reactive protein
(CRP) were correlated to Serum VitD3 and in peripheral blood T cell
inhibitor marker Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) mRNA was
analyzed. In a murine model, VitD3 was given intranasally in vivo and in
vitro to lung cells with allergen and Rhinovirus. Results: In the
cohorts of pre-school age children without (control) asthma, CRP and
VitD3 levels inversely correlated. In preschool asthmatic children that
did not receive VitD3 supplementation as infant had more episode of
asthma exacerbation associated with high CRP serum level. In peripheral
blood cells from control but not asthmatic children with higher serum
levels of VitD3 had lower PD1 mRNA levels. In murine model, OVA
intranasal challenge induced Innate Lymphoid Cells type 2
(ILC2)-associated markers and Eosinophils in BALF and VitD3 inhibited
lung inflammation and ILC2 markers. Furthermore, VitD3 given
intranasally, induced CD4+T cells and reduced PD1, T regulatory cells in
the lung. Similarly, VitD3 had a suppressive role on CD4+PD1+ T cells
involved in T cell exhaustion in the airways in the absence of ST2 after
Rhinovirus infection. Conclusion: These data support an inhibitory role
of VitD3 on T cell exhaustion after allergen and rhinovirus infection
that is relevant for pediatric asthma.