A. Cultured OKF6/TERT1 cells were treated with either 10nM 1,25(OH)2D3 or 0.1% ethanol (vehicle control) for 24 hours. Total mRNA was isolated and levels of IL-1α mRNA were quantified by QRT-PCR. B. Wild-type C57Bl/6 mice (n=5 per group) were treated with 50μl mineral oil containing either 1μM vitamin D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 or vehicle control. After 6 hours, gingivae were excised, total mRNA was isolated and IL-1α mRNA levels were quantified by QRT-PCR relative to β-actin. Data are shown as mean expression relative to control +/− SEM. Differences are significant, *p<0.0001, by t-test.