To characterize the mechanism(s) by which 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D, (calcitriol) modulates the costimulatory capacity of monocytes, we examined the effect of calcitriol pretreatment of monocytes on their capacity to promote T cell proliferation (accessory cell function). Correlation of calcitriol-dependent changes in monocyte accessory cell function and alterations in phenotype and cytokine production, and the dependence of these changes on cell viability, were studied. Calcitriol pretreatment induced a defect in accessory cell function that was evident with fixed monocytes, suggesting a cell-surface-associated mechanism. Altered accessory cell function did not correlate with changes in HLA-DR antigen expression and was unaffected by concurrent treatment with interferony. Calcitriol treatment did not alter either the expression of adhesion molecules or monocytic production of interleukin-lp (IL-1p) or IL-6. Exogenous IL-1 or IL-6 did not overcome the impaired costimulatory activity of calcitriol-treated monocytes. Thus, calcitriol treatment reduces the capacity of monocytes to promote lectin-induced T cell activation at the level of the plasma membrane, perhaps through altered .~