Effects of in vivo administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on in vitro proliferation of bovine lymphocytes.
Continuous infusion of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the bovine elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma. Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 remained elevated until infusions were discontinued. Increased 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was associated with hypercalcemia (11 to 12 mg/dl) that continued for several days postinfusion. Elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 also was associated with a significant 70% enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation in cells treated with concanavalin A. Cessation of infusion of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 resulted in the return of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma and lymphocyte proliferative response to preinfusion amounts. Proliferation in response to pokeweed mitogen was significantly inhibited on d 3 of infusions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Administration of parathyroid hormone for 4 d resulted in a sustained hypercalcemia (approximately 13 mg/dl) and a transient 1-d increase in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in plasma. Parathyroid hormone treatment generally did not affect the response of bovine lymphocytes to mitogen. In vivo elevation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is either moderately immunostimulating or exerts no effect on mitogen-stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes. These results contrast with the in vitro results suggesting that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is only immunosuppressive.