April 2010
Volume 51, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   April 2010
A Role for 1,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3 in Ocular Immune Privilege?
J. Alsalem; R. Susarla; M. M. Ahasan; M. Coca-Prados; R. Bland; E. A. Walker; S. Rauz; G. R. Wallace
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • J. Alsalem
    Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Immunity and Infection,
    University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • R. Susarla
    Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Immunity and Infection,
    University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • M. M. Ahasan
    Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism,
    University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • M. Coca-Prados
    Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
  • R. Bland
    The Biomedical Research Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
  • E. A. Walker
    Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism,
    University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • S. Rauz
    Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Immunity and Infection,
    University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • G. R. Wallace
    Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, School of Immunity and Infection,
    University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  J. Alsalem, None; R. Susarla, None; M.M. Ahasan, None; M. Coca-Prados, None; R. Bland, None; E.A. Walker, None; S. Rauz, None; G.R. Wallace, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  Action Medical Research; The Academic Unit of Ophthalmology is supported by the Birmingham Eye Foundation (Registered (UK) Charity 257549)
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science April 2010, Vol.51, 4837. doi:
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      J. Alsalem, R. Susarla, M. M. Ahasan, M. Coca-Prados, R. Bland, E. A. Walker, S. Rauz, G. R. Wallace; A Role for 1,25(OH)2 Vitamin D3 in Ocular Immune Privilege?. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2010;51(13):4837.

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Abstract

Purpose: : Immune privilege is beneficial to the human eye as it serves to limit inflammatory reactions that could eventually cause blindness. Active vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 has been shown to play an important immunomodulatory role through the induction of antimicrobial peptides and anti-inflammatory responses in many cells. Studies in macrophages indicate that this may be mediated through stimulation of toll-like receptor-2/1 (TLR-2/1). Here we study the possible role of 1,25(OH)2D3 in ocular immune privilege.

Methods: : Human adult retinal pigmented epithelial (ARPE-19), human corneal epithelial (HCE) and non-pigmented ciliary body epithelial (ODM2) cell lines were cultured. Gene expression and protein expression for elements of the vitamin D and Toll like receptor pathways were examined by conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis both in the absence and presence of TLR2/1 ligand (Pam3cys). Immunohistochemical staining was also performed on paraffin-embedded sections of the anterior segments of normal human eye.

Results: : ARPE-19, HCE, and ODM2 cells expressed vitamin D receptor (VDR), and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) that converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) into 1,25(OH)2D3. Expression of the catabolizing enzyme, 24-hydoxylase (CYP24A1), was only detected in ARPE-19 and ODM2 cells. This was confirmed by the immunohistochemicaI staining of non-pigmented ciliary body epithelium. In addition, ARPE-19 cells expressed 1-alpha-hydroxylase and 24-hydoxylase proteins as shown by Western blot. Real time PCR analysis of ARPE-19 stimulated with Pam3cys demonstrated an upregulation of CYP27B1 (1.5 fold), VDR (2.5 fold), and CYP24A1 (5 fold) after 1, 2, and 6 hours respectively.

Conclusions: : Our data show that ocular cells have the ability to convert inactive 25(OH)D into active 1,25(OH)2D3 and this can be upregulated by TLR stimulation. This suggests a possible role of vitamin D3 in ocular immune privilege.

Keywords: retinal pigment epithelium • ciliary body • immunomodulation/immunoregulation 
© 2010, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of an abstract in any form must be obtained in writing from the ARVO Office prior to publication.
Copyright © 2025 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
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