1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) induces apoptosis in stimulated T cells through an IL-2 dependent mechanism.

The steroid hormone 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) has been shown to inhibit PHA-induced T-cell proliferation. In the present work we show that calcitriol caused a concentration-dependent decrease in the viability of PHA stimulated but not unstimulated T lymphocytes. Under microscopy, nonviable cells exhibit classic features of programmed cell death or apoptosis. In addition, the same concentration of calcitriol induces a blockage in the G1 phase of T cell cycle and decreased secretion of IL-2, which was correlated with the extent of apoptosis. Thus, addition of exogenous IL-2 reverted both the cell cycle block and the apoptotic cell death induced by calcitriol. This data indicates that calcitriol induced apoptosis in PHA-stimulated T cell, and suggests that this action is mediated through suppression of IL-2 secretion.