Figure 2.

Changes in the proportion of lymphocytes in PBMC samples in response to nonspecific stimulation with LPS+CD40L+CpG-ODN with or without 1,25(OH)₂D₃, and/or steroid (dexamethasone) in HCs and in patients with MS or NMOSD. Stimulation with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ significantly reduced the percentages of (A) total lymphocytes and (B) T cells in HCs. However, stimulation with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ followed by steroid caused significant decreases in the percentages of (A) total lymphocytes and (B) T cells in the MS and NMOSD groups compared with those achieved by stimulation with steroid treatment alone. 1,25(OH)₂D₃ stimulation did not alter the proportions of (C) B cells or (D) Breg, or (F) the Bmem/Breg ratio in any of the three study groups. Stimulation with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ followed by steroid significantly increased the proportion of (E) Bmem in PBMC samples compared with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ stimulation alone in the NMOSD group. Data are mean and standard-error values. Statistically significant differences are indicated by horizontal bars: ^* p<0.05, ^** p<0.01, ^*** p<0.001. 1,25(OH)₂D₃, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃; Bmem, CD19⁺CD27⁺ memory B cell; Breg, CD19⁺CD24⁺CD38⁺ regulatory B cell; CD40L, CD40 ligand; CpG-ODN, cytosine phosphate guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides; HC, healthy control; LPS, lipopolysaccharide; MS, multiple sclerosis; NMOSD, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder; PBMC, peripheral blood mononuclear cell.