Role of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in immunological and molecular pathways involved in Multiple Sclerosis

Document Type : Review Paper

Authors

1 Human Genetics Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Anatomical Sciences, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disorder of central nervous system which is correlated with deformed axons and loss of oligodendrocytes. Many pathological factors, including genetic predisposition, smoking, exposure to EBV, and lack of sunlight which leads to reduced vitamin D intake are involved in MS occurrence. 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol or vitamin D is generally referred to a group of fat-soluble steroids. Its active form, 1,25 (OH) 2D, has a wide range of effects on human body which significantly affects the genetic predisposition and immune system. The observed evidence for the caring properties of MS supports the role of vitamin D in MS. It has been shown that low levels of vitamin D, or vitamin D in serum, increase the development of MS risk. Vitamin D works through its own receptor called VDR. The mentioned receptor is a cytosolic receptor as a member of the thyroid/steroid nuclear receptors, which is expressed in the brain, peripheral blood monocytes, on immune cells, and several other tissues. The presence of VDR in both peripheral T cells and thymus cells indicates the vital role of vitamin D in the function and development of T cells. VDR also interacts with many MS-related genes. This suggests that vitamin D can amplify or inactivate an important gene that regulates proteins in immune responses, and is therefore associated with the progression of MS. In the current narrative review, we describe the vitamin D role in multiple sclerosis disorder.

Graphical Abstract

Role of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in immunological and molecular pathways involved in Multiple Sclerosis

Highlights

  • Multiple sclerosis is disorder of nervous system that is associated with oligodendrocytes destruction.
  • Some genetic and environmental factors are associated with the risk of multiple sclerosis.
  • Vitamin D could modulate the immune system and decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis.

Keywords

Main Subjects


1. Kuerten S, Lanz TV, Lingampalli N, Lahey LJ, Kleinschnitz C, Mäurer M, Schroeter M, Braune S, Ziemssen T, Ho PP, Robinson WH. Autoantibodies against central nervous system antigens in a subset of B cell–dominant multiple sclerosis patients. Proc Nat Acad Sci 2020; 117(35): 21512-21518.
2. Coles AJ, Compston DA, Selmaj KW, Lake SL, Moran S, Margolin DH, Norris K, Tandon PK. Alemtuzumab vs. interferon beta-1a in early multiple sclerosis. N Engl J Med 2008; 359(17): 1786-1801. ISSN: 1533-4406
3. Wynn DR, Rodriguez M, O'Fallon WM, Kurland LT. A reappraisal of the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Neurology 1990; 40(5): 780.
4. Simpson S, Blizzard L, Otahal P, Van der Mei I, Taylor B. Latitude is significantly associated with the prevalence of multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psych 2011; 82(10): 1132-1141.
5. Compston A. Genetic epidemiology of multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psych 1997; 62(6): 553.
6. Kurtzke JF. A reassessment of the distribution of multiple sclerosis: part one. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. 1975; 51(2): 110-136.
7. Visser EM, Wilde K, Wilson JF, Yong KK, Counsell CE. A new prevalence study of multiple sclerosis in Orkney, Shetland and Aberdeen city. J Neurol Neurosurg Psych 2012; 83(7): 719-724.
8. Koch-Henriksen N, Sørensen PS. The changing demographic pattern of multiple sclerosis epidemiology. Lancet Neurol 2010; 9(5): 520-532.
9. Palacios N, Alonso A, BrØnnum-Hansen H, Ascherio A. Smoking and increased risk of multiple sclerosis: parallel trends in the sex ratio reinforce the evidence. Annals Epidemiol 2011; 21(7): 536-542.
10. Wallin MT, Culpepper WJ, Coffman P, Pulaski S, Maloni H, Mahan CM, Haselkorn JK, Kurtzke JF, Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Centres of Excellence Epidemiology Group. The gulf war era multiple sclerosis cohort: Age and incidence rates by race, sex and service. Brain 2012; 135(6): 1778-1785.
11. Gale CR, Martyn CN. Migrant studies in multiple sclerosis. Prog Neurobiol 1995; 47(4-5): 425-448.
12. Ahlgren C, Lycke J, Odén A, Andersen O. High risk of MS in Iranian immigrants in Gothenburg, Sweden. Multiple Sclerosis J 2010; 16(9): 1079-1082.
13. Cabre P, Signate A, Olindo S, Merle H, Caparros-Lefebvre D, Béra O, Smadja D. Role of return migration in the emergence of multiple sclerosis in the French West Indies. Brain 2005; 128(12): 2899-2910.
14. Dobson R, Giovannoni G. Multiple sclerosis - a review. Europ J Neurol 2019; 26(1): 27-40.
15. Handel AE, Williamson AJ, Disanto G, Handunnetthi L, Giovannoni G, Ramagopalan SV. An updated meta-analysis of risk of multiple sclerosis following infectious mononucleosis. PloS one 2010; 5(9): e12496.
16. Islam T, Gauderman WJ, Cozen W, Mack TM. Childhood sun exposure influences risk of multiple sclerosis in monozygotic twins. Neurology 2007; 69(4): 381-388.
17. Ebers GC. Genetic factors in multiple sclerosis. Neurologic clinics 1983; 1(3): 645-654.
18. Kamińska J, Koper OM, Piechal K, Kemona H. Multiple sclerosis - etiology and diagnostic potential. Postepy Higieny i Medycyny Doswiadczalnej (Online) 2017; 71(0): 551-563.
19. Killestein J, Rudick RA, Polman CH. Oral treatment for multiple sclerosis. Lancet Neurol 2011; 10(11): 1026-1034.
20. Lechi  C, Gaino S, Zuliani V, Tommasoli RM, Faccini G, Fasson R, Arcaro G, Lechi A, Minuz P. Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with essential hypertension are related to vascular complications. Int Angiol 2003; 22(1): 72-78. ISSN: 03929590
21. Kampman M, Wilsgaard T, Mellgren S. Outdoor activities and diet in childhood and adolescence relate to MS risk above the Arctic Circle. J Neurol 2007; 254(4): 471-477.
22. Davenport CB. Multiple sclerosis: From the standpcint of geographic distribution and race. Arch Neurol Psychiat 1922; 8(1): 51-58.
23. Acheson E, Bachrach C, Wright F. Some comments on the relationship of the distribution of multiple sclerosis to latitude, solar radiation, and other variables. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1960; 35(S147): 132-147.
25. Lucas RM, Ponsonby AL, Dear K, Valery PC, Pender MP, Taylor BV, Kilpatrick TJ, Dwyer T, Coulthard A, Chapman C, Van der Mei I. Sun exposure and vitamin D are independent risk factors for CNS demyelination. Neurol 2011; 76(6): 540-548.
26. Rajakumar K. Vitamin D, cod-liver oil, sunlight, and rickets: a historical perspective. Pediatrics 2003; 112(2): e132-e135.
27. Ebers G, Sadovnick A, Dyment D, Yee I, Willer C, Risch N. Parent-of-origin effect in multiple sclerosis: observations in half-siblings. Lancet 2004; 363(9423): 1773-1774.
28. Taylor BV, Pearson JF, Clarke G, Mason DF, Abernethy DA, Willoughby E, Sabel C. MS prevalence in New Zealand, an ethnically and latitudinally diverse country. Multiple Sclerosis J 2010; 16(12): 1422-1431.
29. Lehmann B. The vitamin D3 pathway in human skin and its role for regulation of biological processes. Photochem Photobiol 2005; 81(6): 1246-1251.
30. Armas LA, Hollis BW, Heaney RP. Vitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans. J Clin Endocrin Metabol 2004; 89(11): 5387-5391.
31. DeLuca HF. Overview of general physiologic features and functions of vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 80(6 Suppl): 1689s-1696s.
32. Norman AW. Vitamin D receptor: new assignments for an already busy receptor. Endocrinol 2006; 147(12): 5542-5548.
33. Wang TT, Tavera-Mendoza LE, Laperriere D, Libby E, Burton MacLeod N, Nagai Y, Bourdeau V, Konstorum A, Lallemant B, Zhang R, Mader S. Large-scale in silico and microarray-based identification of direct 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 target genes. Mol Endocrinol (Baltimore, Md) 2005; 19(11): 2685-2695.
34. Garcion E, Wion-Barbot N, Montero-Menei CN, Berger F, Wion D. New clues about vitamin D functions in the nervous system. Trends Endocrinol Metabol 2002; 13(3): 100-105.
35. Adams JS, Hewison M. Unexpected actions of vitamin D: new perspectives on the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metabol 2008; 4(2): 80-90.
36. Smolders J, Damoiseaux J, Menheere P, Hupperts R. Vitamin D as an immune modulator in multiple sclerosis, a review. J Neuroimmunol 2008; 194(1-2): 7-17.
38. Rosati G. The prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the world: an update. Neurol Sci 2001; 22(2): 117-139.
39. Hammond SR, McLeod JG, Millingen KS, Stewart-Wynne EG, English D, Holland JT, McCall MG. The epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in three Australian cities: Perth, Newcastle and Hobart. Brain 1988; 111(1): 1-25.
40. Marrosu MG, Lai M, Cocco E, Loi V, Spinicci G, Pischedda MP, Massole S, Marrosu G, Contu P. Genetic factors and the founder effect explain familial MS in Sardinia. Neurology 2002; 58(2): 283-288.
41. Grant WB, Mascitelli L. Evidence that the north–south gradient of multiple sclerosis may not have disappeared. J Neurolo Sci 2012; 1(315): 178-179.
42. Swank RL, Lerstad O, Strøm A, Backer J. Multiple sclerosis in rural Norway: Its geographic and occupational incidence in relation to nutrition. New Eng J Med 1952; 246(19): 721-728.
45. Campbell FC, Xu H, El-Tanani M, Crowe P, Bingham V. The yin and yang of vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling in neoplastic progression: operational networks and tissue-specific growth control. Biochem Pharmacol 2010; 79(1): 1-9.
46. Le Mellay V, Grosse B, Lieberherr M. Phospholipase C beta and membrane action of calcitriol and estradiol. J Biol Chem 1997; 272(18): 11902-11907.
47. Kamen DL, Tangpricha V. Vitamin D and molecular actions on the immune system: modulation of innate and autoimmunity. J Mol Med (Berlin, Germany) 2010; 88(5): 441-450.
48. May E, Asadullah K, Zügel U. Immunoregulation through 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analogs. Curr Drug targets Inflamm Allergy 2004; 3(4): 377-393.
49. Lefebvre d'Hellencourt C, Montero-Menei CN, Bernard R, Couez D. Vitamin D3 inhibits proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide production by the EOC13 microglial cell line. J Neurosci Res 2003; 71(4): 575-582.
50. Tenenhouse A, Warner M, Commissiong JW. Neurotransmitters in the CNS of the vitamin D deficient, hypocalcemic rat. Neurochem International. 1991; 18(2): 249-255.
51. Goudarzvand M, Javan M, Mirnajafi-Zadeh J, Mozafari S, Tiraihi T. Vitamins E and D3 attenuate demyelination and potentiate remyelination processes of hippocampal formation of rats following local injection of ethidium bromide. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2010; 30(2): 289-299.
52. Toell A, Polly P, Carlberg C. All natural DR3-type vitamin D response elements show a similar functionality in vitro. Biochemical J 2000; 352(2): 301-309.
54. Torchia J, Glass C, Rosenfeld MG. Co-activators and co-repressors in the integration of transcriptional responses. Curr Opinion Cell Biol 1998; 10(3): 373-383.
56. Ahn J, Yu K, Stolzenberg-Solomon R, Simon KC, McCullough ML, Gallicchio L, Jacobs EJ, Ascherio A, Helzlsouer K, Jacobs KB, Li Q. Genome-wide association study of circulating vitamin D levels. Hum Mol Genetics 2010; 19(13): 2739-2745.
57. Wang TJ, Zhang F, Richards JB, Kestenbaum B, Van Meurs JB, Berry D, Kiel DP, Streeten EA, Ohlsson C, Koller DL, Peltonen L. Common genetic determinants of vitamin D insufficiency: a genome-wide association study. Lancet 2010; 376(9736): 180-188.
58. Bikle DD, Oda Y, Xie Z. Vitamin D and skin cancer: a problem in gene regulation. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2005; 97(1-2): 83-91.
59. Swami S, Raghavachari N, Muller UR, Bao YP, Feldman D. Vitamin D growth inhibition of breast cancer cells: gene expression patterns assessed by cDNA microarray. Breast cancer res Treat 2003; 80(1): 49-62.
60. Matilainen JM, Husso T, Toropainen S, Seuter S, Turunen MP, Gynther P, Ylä-Herttuala S, Carlberg C, Väisänen S. Primary effect of 1α,25(OH)₂D₃ on IL-10 expression in monocytes is short-term down-regulation. Biochim Biophys Acta 2010; 1803(11): 1276-1286.
61. Ramagopalan SV, Maugeri NJ, Handunnetthi L, Lincoln MR, Orton SM, Dyment DA, et al. Expression of the multiple sclerosis-associated MHC class II Allele HLA-DRB1*1501 is regulated by vitamin D. PLoS Genetics 2009; 5(2): e1000369.
62. Munger KL, Zhang SM, O'Reilly E, Hernán MA, Olek MJ, Willett WC, et al. Vitamin D intake and incidence of multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2004;62(1):60-5.
63. Munger KL, Levin LI, Hollis BW, Howard NS, Ascherio A. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis. JAMA 2006; 296(23): 2832-2838.
64. Nieves J, Cosman F, Herbert J, Shen V, Lindsay R. High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and reduced bone mass in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 1994; 44(9): 1687-1692.
65. van der Mei IA, Ponsonby AL, Dwyer T, Blizzard L, Taylor BV, Kilpatrick T, Butzkueven H, McMichael AJ. Vitamin D levels in people with multiple sclerosis and community controls in Tasmania, Australia. J Neurol 2007; 254(5): 581-590.
66. Soilu-Hänninen M, Airas L, Mononen I, Heikkilä A, Viljanen M, Hänninen A. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels in serum at the onset of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis 2005; 11(3): 266-271.
67. Simpson Jr S, Taylor B, Blizzard L, Ponsonby AL, Pittas F, Tremlett H, Dwyer T, Gies P, van der Mei I. Higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with lower relapse risk in multiple sclerosis. Annals Neurol 2010; 68(2): 193-203.
68. Australia and New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium. Genome-wide association study identifies new multiple sclerosis susceptibility loci on chromosomes 12 and 20. Nat Genet 2009; 41(7): 824-828.
69. Sundqvist E, Sundström P, Linden M, Hedström AK, Aloisi F, Hillert J, Kockum I, Alfredsson L, Olsson T. Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis: interaction with HLA. Genes Immun 2012; 13(1): 14-20.
70. Steckley JL, Dyment DA, Sadovnick AD, Risch N, Hayes C, Ebers GC. Genetic analysis of vitamin D related genes in Canadian multiple sclerosis patients. Neurology 2000; 54(3): 729-732.
71. Simon KC, Van Der Mei IA, Munger KL, Ponsonby A, Dickinson J, Dwyer T, Sundström P, Ascherio A. Combined effects of smoking, anti-EBNA antibodies, and HLA-DRB1*1501 on multiple sclerosis risk. Neurology 2010; 74(17): 1365-1371.
72. Dickinson JL, Perera DI, Van der Mei AF, Ponsonby AL, Polanowski AM, Thomson RJ, Taylor BV, McKay JD, Stankovich J, Dwyer T. Past environmental sun exposure and risk of multiple sclerosis: a role for the Cdx-2 Vitamin D receptor variant in this interaction. Mult Scler J  2009; 15(5): 563-570.
73. Fukazawa T, Yabe I, Kikuchi S, Sasaki H, Hamada T, Miyasaka K, Tashiro K. Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in Japanese. J Neurol Sci 1999; 166(1): 47-52.
74. Niino M, Fukazawa T, Yabe I, Kikuchi S, Sasaki H, Tashiro K. Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in multiple sclerosis and the association with HLA class II alleles. J Neurol Sci 2000; 177(1): 65-71.
75. Disanto G, Sandve GK, Berlanga-Taylor AJ, Ragnedda G, Morahan JM, Watson CT, Giovannoni G, Ebers GC, Ramagopalan SV. Vitamin D receptor binding, chromatin states and association with multiple sclerosis. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21(16): 3575-3586.
76. Ramagopalan SV, Dyment DA, Cader MZ, Morrison KM, Disanto G, Morahan JM, Berlanga‐Taylor AJ, Handel A, De Luca GC, Sadovnick AD, Lepage P. Rare variants in the CYP27B1 gene are associated with multiple sclerosis. Annals Neurol 2011; 70(6): 881-886.
77. Torkildsen Ø, Knappskog PM, Nyland HI, Myhr KM. Vitamin D-dependent rickets as a possible risk factor for multiple sclerosis. Arch Neurol 2008; 65(6): 809-811.
78. Bhalla AK, Amento EP, Serog B, Glimcher LH. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits antigen-induced T cell activation. J Immunol 1984; 133(4): 1748-1754. ISSN: 0022-1767
79. Almerighi C, Sinistro A, Cavazza A, Ciaprini C, Rocchi G, Bergamini A. 1Alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits CD40L-induced pro-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity in human monocytes. Cytokine 2009; 45(3): 190-197.
81. Chen S, Sims GP, Chen XX, Gu YY, Chen S, Lipsky PE. Modulatory effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on human B cell differentiation. J Immunol  2007; 179(3): 1634-1647.
82. Cantorna MT, Hayes CE, DeLuca HF. 1, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 reversibly blocks the progression of relapsing encephalomyelitis, a model of multiple sclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1996; 93(15): 7861-7864.
83. Zella JB, DeLuca HF. Vitamin D and autoimmune diabetes. J Cell Biochem 2003; 88(2): 216-222.
84. Nagpal S, Na S, Rathnachalam R. Noncalcemic actions of vitamin D receptor ligands. Endocrine Rev 2005; 26(5): 662-687.
85. Chiu KC, Chu A, Go VL, Saad MF. Hypovitaminosis D is associated with insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction. Am J Clin Nutr 2004; 79(5): 820-825.
86. Pelajo CF, Lopez-Benitez JM, Miller LC. Vitamin D and autoimmune rheumatologic disorders. Autoimm Rev 2010; 9(7): 507-510.
87. Bouillon R, Verstuyf A, Branisteanu D, Waer M, Mathieu C. Immune modulation by vitamin D analogs in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Verh K Acad Geneeskd Belg 1995; 57(5): 371-385. ISSN: 03026469
88. Deluca HF, Cantorna MT. Vitamin D: its role and uses in immunology. FASEB Journal 2001; 15(14): 2579-2585.
89. Hyppönen E, Läärä E, Reunanen A, Järvelin MR, Virtanen SM. Intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study. Lancet  2001; 358(9292): 1500-1503.
90. Merlino LA, Curtis J, Mikuls TR, Cerhan JR, Criswell LA, Saag KG. Vitamin D intake is inversely associated with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the Iowa Women's Health Study. Arthritis Rheum 2004; 50(1): 72-77.
91. Pierrot-Deseilligny C. Clinical implications of a possible role of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 2009; 256(9): 1468-1479.
92. Kragt J, Van Amerongen B, Killestein J, Dijkstra C, Uitdehaag B, Polman C, et al. Higher levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are associated with a lower incidence of multiple sclerosis only in women. Multiple Sclerosis J 2009; 15(1): 9-15.
93. Smolders J, Menheere P, Kessels A, Damoiseaux J, Hupperts R. Association of vitamin D metabolite levels with relapse rate and disability in multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis 2008; 14(9): 1220-1224.
94. Marshall TG. Vitamin D discovery outpaces FDA decision making. BioEssays 2008; 30(2): 173-182.
95. Wen L, Zhang Y, Yang B, Han F, Ebadi AG, Toughani M. Knockdown of Angiopoietin-like protein 4 suppresses the development of colorectal cancer. Cell Mol Biol 2020; 66(5): 117-124.
96. Yang M, Shi D, Wang Y, Ebadi AG, Toughani M. Study on Interaction of Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 with Bovine Serum Albumin by Multispectroscopic. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021; 27(1): 421-431.
97. Yang M, Abdalrahman H, Sonia U, Mohammed AI, Vestine U, Wang M, Ebadi AG, Toughani M. The application of DNA molecular markers in the study of Codonopsis species genetic variation, a review. Cell Mol Biol 2020; 66(2): 23-30.
CrossRef    Google Scholar    full-text PDF    Mendeley    PubMed