FIGURE 1.

VitD enhances MKP-1 induction by DEX (A), stimulates DEX inhibition of the LPS-induced IL-6 production (B and C), and increases MKP-1 induction by DEX in the presence of LPS in human PBMCs (D). A, PBMC from healthy donors were preincubated with VitD for 21 h, followed by DEX treatment at 10 and 100 nm, respectively, for 3 h. MKP-1 mRNA levels were detected by real-time PCR and were normalized to β-actin mRNA (n = 6). B and C, PBMCs were preincubated with VitD (10 nm) for 24 h, followed by LPS (10 ng/ml) stimulation for 6 h with or without DEX (10 nm). IL-6 (B) and MKP-1 (D) mRNA levels in PBMC and IL-6 protein levels in the culture supernatants (C) were detected by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively (n = 4). Values represent mean ± S.E. (error bars).