1 alpha, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 augments clonal growth of macrophages from rat bone marrow progenitor cells and modulates their function.

1 alpha, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) was shown to enhance (approximately 2 fold) the colony-stimulating factor-dependent clonal growth of macrophage colonies and clusters from rat bone marrow progenitor cells. The proliferative capacity of macrophage progenitors in liquid cultures was likewise augmented (2-3 fold). Mononuclear phagocytes (macrophages, for simplicity) developing in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3 showed a reduced capacity of migration. 1,25(OH)2D3 administered at bone marrow culture initiation led to augmentation of the phagocytic capability of macrophages in four-day cultures and to its suppression in macrophages in seven-day cultures. The observed patterns of modulation of differentiation and function by 1,25(OH)2D3 differ from the patterns we found for mouse bone marrow cells. The results suggest that the differential response to hormones observed in different species may include responses to 1,25(OH)2D3.