Effect of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 on cathelicidin expression in patients with and without cavitary tuberculosis

Summary 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ) is a potent immuno-modulator which induces LL-37, the active peptide of cathelicidin, and restricts the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in human macrophages. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 on cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) expression in healthy controls (HCs) and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 50 HCs and 35 PTB patients were cultured for 72 h either with Mtb alone or Mtb with 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 at 10 −7  M concentration. 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 significantly up regulated the macrophage phagocytosis, CD14, CAMP gene expression and hCAP18 protein in HCs and PTB patients ( p p 2 D 3 up regulated CAMP gene expression was more prominent in PTB patients without lung cavity (less severe form of disease) as compared to patients with cavitary TB (severe form of disease) ( p