Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: In previous studies, it was indicated that there is an interaction between neutrophils and mesenchymal stem cells. On the other hand, it seems that the microenvironment of mesenchymal stem cells can affect the status of their related neutrophils. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell pulsed with 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on neutrophils functions.   Methods: In the present study, at first, after isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow of rats, these cells were pulsed with 50,100 and 200 nanomolar of vitamin D3 for 24, 48, and 72h. Then, mesenchymal stem cells co-cultured with neutrophils for 1 hour. Then, they were evaluated for phagocytosis activity against opsonized yeast, respiratory burst by NBT reduction assay, and viability by acridine orange/propidium iodide staining. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Dunnett tests. Significance level was considered to be p < 0.05.   Results: Phagocytosis ability of neutrophils in all treatments was significant in the minimum concentration of 100 nanomolar. Respiratory intensity of respiratory burst of all the treatments showed significant difference in minimum concentration of 50 nanomolar. Furthermore, vitamin D3 at the minimum concentration of 50 nanomolar caused a significant increase in the mesenchymal stem cells ability for the survival of neutrophils (p<0.05).   Conclusion: Altogether, it seems that the treatment of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells with vitamin D3 potentiates the function of mesenchymal stem cells in the increase of survival, phagocytic ability and respiratory burst of neutrophil.