The Effects of Vitamin D on Immune System and Inflammatory Diseases #MMPMID34827621
Ao T; Kikuta J; Ishii M
Biomolecules 2021[Nov]; 11 (11): ? PMID34827621show ga
Immune cells, including dendritic cells, macrophages, and T and B cells, express the vitamin D receptor and 1alpha-hydroxylase. In vitro studies have shown that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, the active form of vitamin D, has an anti-inflammatory effect. Recent epidemiological evidence has indicated a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased incidence, or aggravation, of infectious diseases and inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. However, the impact of vitamin D on treatment and prevention, particularly in infectious diseases such as the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), remains controversial. Here, we review recent evidence associated with the relationship between vitamin D and inflammatory diseases and describe the underlying immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D.