Suppressive effect of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on type I IFN-mediated monocyte differentiation into dendritic cells: impairment of functional activities and chemotaxis.

Dendritic cells (DCs) generated by a single-step exposure of human monocytes to type I IFN and GM-CSF (IFN-DCs) are endowed with potent immunostimulatory activities and a distinctive migratory response to specific chemokines. In this study, we evaluated the effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), the biologically active metabolite of vitamin D(3), on the DC differentiation/activation induced by type I IFN. We found that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) prevented the generation of IFN-DCs when added to freshly isolated monocytes, and was capable of redirecting already differentiated IFN-DCs toward a more immature stage, as revealed by their immunophenotype, reduced allostimulatory activity, and impaired LPS-induced production of Th1-polarizing cytokines.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp120 induces abnormal maturation and functional alterations of dendritic cells: a novel mechanism for AIDS pathogenesis.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in bridging innate and acquired immune responses to pathogens. In human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, immature DCs (iDCs) are also main targets for HIV-1 at the mucosal level. In this study, we evaluated the effects of HIV-1-DC interactions on the maturation and functional activity of these cells.