Abstract
Phagocytic cells are widely distributed in tissues known to be important in the metabolism of vitamin D. Incubation of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and monocytes and resident rat peritoneal macrophages with 3H-labeled 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 leads to the formation of 3 radioactive peaks. Peak I is most consistent with a lactone derivative of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and peak II has been identified as putative 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Peak III is a novel metabolite of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 unlike any of the synthetic standards available in our laboratories. Human neutrophils converted more substrate than did the other phagocytes examined. The stimulation of neutrophils by opsonized zymosan or phorbol myristate acetate led to a 4-fold increase in synthesis of the metabolites. Vitamin D metabolism by phagocytic cells may play a role in the mrcroenvironmental events that surround bony metabolism and Ca homeostasis.