The vitamin D analog, TX527, promotes a human CD4+CD25highCD127low regulatory T cell profile and induces a migratory signature specific for homing to sites of inflammation

J Immunol. 2011 Jan 1;186(1):132-42. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1000695. Epub 2010 Dec 3.

Abstract

The use of hypocalcemic vitamin D analogs is an appealing strategy to exploit the immunomodulatory actions of active vitamin D in vivo while circumventing its calcemic side effects. The functional modulation of dendritic cells by these molecules is regarded as the key mechanism underlying their ability to regulate T cell reactivity. In this article, we demonstrate the capacity of the vitamin D analog, TX527, to target T cells directly. Microarray analysis of purified human CD3(+) T cells, cultured in the presence of TX527, revealed differential expression of genes involved in T cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, and migratory capacity. Accordingly, functional analysis showed a TX527-mediated suppression of the T cell proliferative capacity and activation status, accompanied by decreased expression of effector cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17). Furthermore, TX527 triggered the emergence of CD4(+)CD25(high)CD127(low) regulatory T cells featuring elevated levels of IL-10, CTLA-4, and OX40 and the functional capacity to suppress activation and proliferation of effector T cells. Moreover, the vitamin D analog profoundly altered the homing receptor profile of T cells and their migration toward chemokine ligands. Remarkably, TX527 not only modulated skin-homing receptors as illustrated for the parent compound, but also reduced the expression of lymphoid organ-homing receptors (CD62L, CCR7, and CXCR4) and uniquely promoted surface expression of inflammatory homing receptors (CCR5, CXCR3, and CXCR6) on T cells. We conclude that TX527 directly affects human T cell function, thereby inhibiting effector T cell reactivity while inducing regulatory T cell characteristics, and imprints them with a specific homing signature favoring migration to sites of inflammation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes
  • CD3 Complex / biosynthesis
  • CD3 Complex / genetics
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology*
  • Cholecalciferol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cholecalciferol / physiology*
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Growth Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Growth Inhibitors / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology*
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Receptors, CCR10 / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, CCR4 / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, CCR5 / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, CXCR3 / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, CXCR6
  • Receptors, Chemokine / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Virus / biosynthesis
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / pathology*
  • Transcription, Genetic / immunology

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • CCR10 protein, human
  • CCR4 protein, human
  • CD3 Complex
  • CXCR3 protein, human
  • CXCR6 protein, human
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Receptors, CCR10
  • Receptors, CCR4
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Receptors, CXCR3
  • Receptors, CXCR6
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Virus
  • inecalcitol
  • Cholecalciferol

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE23984