J Mol Med (Berl). 2010 May;88(5):441-50. Epub 2010 Feb 1.
Vitamin D and molecular actions on the immune system: modulation of innate and autoimmunity.
Kamen DL,
Tangpricha V.
Source
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
Abstract
Vitamin D has received increased attention recently for its pleiotropic actions on many chronic diseases. The importance of vitamin D on the regulation of cells of the immune system has gained increased appreciation over the past decade with the discovery of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and key vitamin D metabolizing enzymes expressed by cells of the immune system. Animal studies, early epidemiologic and clinical studies have supported a potential role for vitamin D in maintaining immune system balance. The hormonal form of vitamin D up-regulates anti-microbial peptides, namely cathelicidin, to enhance clearance of bacteria at various barrier sites and in immune cells. Vitamin D modulates the adaptive immune system by direct effects on T cell activation and on the phenotype and function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), particularly of DCs. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the molecular and clinical evidence for vitamin D as a modulator of the innate and adaptive immune system.
<dl class="rprtid"><dt>PMID:</dt><dd>20119827</dd><dd> [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] </dd><dd>
</dd><dt>PMCID:</dt><dd>PMC2861286</dd><dd>
</dd></dl>
Free PMC Article
