Vitamin D and the Immune System: New Perspectives on an Old Theme
Aranow C
Published in Journal of Investigative Medicine
Abstract
Comprehensive review of vitamin D's immunomodulatory effects, including its role in both innate and adaptive immune responses.
Methodology
Narrative review of in vitro, animal and clinical literature on vitamin D and innate/adaptive immunity.
Key Findings
Vitamin D receptors are expressed on monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and T and B lymphocytes; calcitriol upregulates antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin, dampens Th1/Th17 responses and promotes regulatory T cells. Deficiency is associated with autoimmune disease and infection risk in observational data.
Conclusions
Vitamin D is a genuine immune modulator at the mechanistic level, but translating this into clinical benefit from supplementation has proved inconsistent outside of correcting deficiency.
Limitations
Narrative mechanistic review; human clinical evidence cited is largely observational, and causality between low vitamin D and immune dysfunction remains unresolved.
Supplements Studied
Vitamin D receptors are expressed on monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and T and B lymphocytes; calcitriol upregulates antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin, dampens Th1/Th17 responses and promotes regulatory T cells. Deficiency is associated with autoimmune disease and infection risk in observational data.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Supported by US National Institutes of Health grants to the author
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.