THE ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN IMMUNE MODULATION: A REVIEW OF CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Vitamin D, often celebrated for its crucial role in maintaining bone health, has garnered significant attention in recent years for its multifaceted contributions to immune modulation. The study aims to find Vitamin D's role in immune modulation. The innate immune system is the first line of defense against invading pathogens, and its leading roles are rapid responses, identification of the pathogen, and neutralization to avoid the aggravation of the disease. The role of Vitamin D in immune modulation extends across a spectrum of immune-related disorders, underscoring its significance in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing disease. The immune modularity of vitamin D is mainly through the active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D]; this hormone binds to the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) inherent in several immune cells. This binding triggers the process of gene expression alterations that impact the abilities and duplication of these cells. For instance, in multiple sclerosis (MS), Vitamin D inhibits the production of Th1 and Th17, which are pro-inflammatory T-cells, while enhancing Tregs, which results in the curbing of inflammation and autoimmunity. Vitamin D is pivotal in immune modulation, influencing innate and adaptive immune responses. Its deficiency is linked to an increased risk and severity of various immune-related disorders, highlighting the importance of maintaining adequate Vitamin D levels.