J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2010 Mar;17(1):16-22. 10.4078/jkra.2010.17.1.16.

Vitamin D and Immune Responses

• Kang SW

• KMID: 2201988
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jkra.2010.17.1.16

Abstract

Vitamins and their metabolites are essential for many physiological processes including immune response. In addition to regulating calcium homeostasis, vitamin D exerts various effects on cells of the immune system, such as macrophages, dendritic cells as well as, B and T cells. Low vitamin D levels are found in patients with autoimmune diseases, which suggest a potential role of vitamin D in autoimmunity. In this review, we discuss the roles of vitamin D in modulating immune responses and the clinical potential of vitamin D metabolites for preventing and treating inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Keyword

Vitamin D; Autoimmunity; Immunomodulation

MeSH Terms

Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmunity
Calcium
Dendritic Cells
Homeostasis
Humans
Immune System
Immunomodulation
Macrophages
Physiological Processes
T-Lymphocytes
Vitamin D
Vitamins
Calcium
Vitamin D
Vitamins