Activation and fusion induced by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and their relation in alveolar macrophages.

1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3] induces fusion of murine alveolar macrophages. This effect was observed in growth medium containing 5% human serum but not in the medium with 5% fetal bovine serum. Unlike 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) did not induce fusion of alveolar macrophages. However, both 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 and LPS activated alveolar macrophages, as measured by glucose consumption, increase in Fc receptors, and induction of cytotoxicity. The number of Fc receptors on the surface of multinucleated giant cells induced by 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 was much smaller than that on the surface of mononuclear macrophages treated with the hormone. These results indicate that 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 induces both fusion and activation of alveolar macrophages, whereas LPS elicits activation only.