Immunomodulatory Role Of Vitamin Research Articles

Immunomodulatory role of vitamin D and selenium supplementation in newly diagnosed Graves' disease patients during methimazole treatment.

Methimazole (MMI) represents the conventional therapeutic agent for Graves' disease (GD) hyperthyroidism, but MMI efficacy is limited since it marginally affects the underlying autoimmune process. In a previous study, we randomly assigned 42 newly diagnosed GD patients with insufficient vitamin D (VitD) and selenium (Se) levels to treatment with MMI alone (standard) or combined with selenomethionine and cholecalciferol (intervention) and observed a prompter resolution of hyperthyroidism in the intervention group. In the present study, we aimed to explore changes in peripheral T regulatory (Treg) and circulating natural killer (NK) cell frequency, circulating NK cell subset distribution and function, during treatment. At baseline, circulating total CD3-CD56+NK cells and CD56bright NK cells were significantly higher in GD patients than in healthy controls (HC) (15.7 ± 9.6% vs 9.9 ± 5.6%, p=0.001; 12.2 ± 10.3% vs 7.3 ± 4.1%, p=0.02, respectively); no differences emerged in Treg cell frequency. Frequencies of total NK cells and CD56bright NK cells expressing the activation marker CD69 were significantly higher in GD patients than in HC, while total NK cells and CD56dim NK cells expressing CD161 (inhibitory receptor) were significantly lower. When co-cultured with the K562 target cell, NK cells from GD patients had a significantly lower degranulation ability compared to HC (p<0.001). Following 6 months of treatment, NK cells decreased in both the intervention and MMI-alone groups, but significantly more in the intervention group (total NK: -10.3%, CI 95% -15.8; -4.8% vs -3.6%, CI 95% -9; 1.8%, p=0.09 and CD56bright NK cells: -6.5%, CI 95% -10.1; -3 vs -0.9%, CI 95% -4.4; 2%, p=0.03). Compared to baseline, CD69+ NK cells significantly decreased, while degranulation ability slightly improved, although no differences emerged between the two treatment groups. Compared to baseline, Treg cell frequency increased exclusively in the intervention group (+1.1%, CI 95% 0.4; 1.7%). This pilot study suggested that VitD and Se supplementation, in GD patients receiving MMI treatment, modulates Treg and NK cell frequency, favoring a more pronounced reduction of NK cells and the increase of Treg cells, compared to MMI alone. Even if further studies are needed, it is possible to speculate that this immunomodulatory action might have facilitated the prompter and better control of hyperthyroidism in the supplemented group observed in the previous study.

Supplementation of Methyl-Donor Nutrients to a High-Fat, High-Sucrose Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation Normalizes Circulating 25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol Levels and Alleviates Inflammation in Offspring.

A Western-style diet that is high in fat and sucrose has been shown to alter DNA methylation and epigenetically modify genes related to health risk in offspring. Here, we investigated the effect of a methyl-donor nutrient (MS) supplemented to a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFS) diet during pregnancy and lactation on vitamin D (VD) status and inflammatory response in offspring. After mating, 10-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 10/group) were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary groups during pregnancy and lactation: (1) control diet (CON), (2) CON with MS (CON-MS), (3) HFS, and (4) HFS with MS (HFS-MS). Weanling offspring (three weeks old) were euthanized and sacrificed (n = 8-10/sex/group). The remaining offspring (n = 10/sex/group) were randomly assigned to either a CON or an HFS diet for 12 weeks and sacrificed at 15 weeks of age. Our results indicated that prenatal MS supplementation, but not postnatal diet, restored low vitamin D status and suppressed elevation of proinflammatory cytokine induced by maternal HFS in the offspring. Furthermore, both prenatal and postnatal diets modulated the abundance of Lactobacillus spp. and Bacteroides spp. in the offspring, a shift that was independent of vitamin D status. Collectively, our data support a role for MS in restoring the perturbation of VD status and normalizing maternal HFS-induced inflammation in the offspring. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the methylation status of VD metabolism-related pathways in the offspring, as well as the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D during the progression of obesity.

Full spectrum of vitamin D immunomodulation in multiple sclerosis: mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with the risk of multiple sclerosis, disease activity and progression. Results from in vitro experiments, animal models and analysis of human samples from randomized controlled trials provide comprehensive data illustrating the pleiotropic actions of Vitamin D on the immune system. They globally result in immunomodulation by decreasing differentiation of effector T and B cells while promoting regulatory subsets. Vitamin D also modulates innate immune cells such as macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells, and acts at the level of the blood–brain barrier reducing immune cell trafficking. Vitamin D exerts additional activity within the central nervous system reducing microglial and astrocytic activation. The immunomodulatory role of Vitamin D detected in animal models of multiple sclerosis has suggested its potential therapeutic use for treating multiple sclerosis. In this review, we focus on recent published data describing the biological effects of Vitamin D in animal models of multiple sclerosis on immune cells, blood–brain barrier function, activation of glial cells and its potential neuroprotective effects. Based on the current knowledge, we also discuss optimization of therapeutic interventions with Vitamin D in patients with multiple sclerosis, as well as new technologies allowing in-depth analysis of immune cell regulations by vitamin D.

The Immunologic Profile of Vitamin D and Its Role in Different Immune-Mediated Diseases: An Expert Opinion.

Historically, vitamin D is recognized as an essential component for the maintenance of the musculoskeletal system. The immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in health and disease has gained much interest in recent years due to the many pathologies that share underlying immunological features where vitamin D has been shown to exert a potential role. Evidence from pre-clinical studies show that vitamin D elicits biological effects on both the innate and adaptive immune systems. Furthermore, in vivo studies have shown that administration of vitamin D can lead to changes in or the development of a range of immune-related diseases. This encourages the hypothesis that data derived from clinical and epidemiological studies connect vitamin D with the incidence and severity of many immune-mediated disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and infectious diseases. Since some other immune-mediated diseases share similar features to that of viral infection such as COVID-19, in this review, we examined these other areas and the role of vitamin D in these diseases.

The Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D in Respiratory Diseases

: The growing interest in the new role of vitamin D, particularly as an immunomodulatory factor, has spurred basic research and the development of clinical trials to better understand the influence of supplementation on various diseases. Vitamin D is an important nutrient factor in human health due to its role in calcium metabolism regulation, cellular growth, differentiation and its fundamental discovered activity in immune functions. It has influenced different diseases, particularly inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, through immune response regulation, modulating innate and adaptive immunity. : The aim of this review was to explore the role of vitamin D in the main respiratory diseases in children such as asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, cystic fibrosis and recurrent respiratory infections.

Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D in Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases

Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D in Infectious and Non-Infectious Diseases

To Supplement or not to Supplement? The Rationale of Vitamin D Supplementation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background:Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by abnormal activation of the immune system, chronic inflammation and organ damage. Lupus patients are more prone to be vitamin D deficient. However, current evidence is not conclusive with regards to the role played by vitamin D in SLE development, progression, and clinical manifestations.Objective:Here, we will summarise the current knowledge about vitamin D deficiency prevalence, risk factors, molecular effects, and potential pathogenic role in SLE. We will focus on the link between vitamin D deficiency and lupus clinical manifestations, and on the clinical trials assessing the effects of vitamin D supplementation in SLE.Method:A detailed literature search was performed exploiting the available databases, using “vitamin D and lupus/SLE” as keywords. The relevant interventional trials published over the last decade have been considered and the results are reported here.Conclusion:Several immune cells express vitamin D receptors. Thus, an immunomodulatory role for vitamin D in lupus is plausible. Numerous observational studies have investigated the relationship between vitamin D levels and clinical/serological manifestations of SLE with contrasting results. Negative correlations between vitamin D levels and disease activity, fatigue, renal and cardiovascular disease, and anti-dsDNA titres have been described but not conclusively accepted. In experimental models of lupus, vitamin D supplementation can improve the disease. Interventional trials have assessed the potential therapeutic value of vitamin D in SLE, but further larger studies are needed.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3 as an Antiviral and Immunomodulator Against Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Infection in HeLa Cells.

The antiviral and immunomodulatory role of vitamin D has been shown in various viral infections. However, there is scanty literature available about the effect of vitamin D supplementation in herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infection. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the role of two different forms of vitamin D: 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25D3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) against HSV-1 in HeLa cells. The HeLa cells were supplemented with either 25D3 or 1,25D3 before HSV-1 infection and were studied after 6, 12, and 24 h postinfection (p.i.). The mRNA levels of toll-like receptors (TLRs), (2, 3, 4, 7, and 9), vitamin D signaling genes, and HSV-1 were studied using real-time PCR. The HSV-1 DNA load was estimated in culture supernatant. The supplementation of 25D3 and 1,25D3 significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of TLR2 (p < 0.0001) at 12 h p.i. The mRNA levels of TLR9 were found to be significantly downregulated in 1,25D3-supplemented cells at 12 h p.i. Furthermore, the significant downregulation was observed in HSV-1 titer in both 25D3- and 1,25D3-supplemented cells at 24 h p.i.(p < 0.0001). However, the effect of 25D3 supplementation persisted till 24 h p.i. with significant downregulation of TLR2 (p < 0.05) mRNA levels. The supplementation of both 25D3 and 1,25D3 before HSV-1 infection was found to downregulate the viral titer and TLR2 mRNA during the intial phase of infection. However, the effect of 25D3 supplementation was found to last for a longer duration compared with 1,25D3.

Immunomodulatory Role of Vitamin D: A Review.

Vitamin D is well known for its classical hormonal action related to the maintenance of mineral and skeletal homeostasis. However, the discovery that vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in most non-skeletal tissues points to its broad role in the human organism. Current literature emphasizes a multidirectional role of vitamin D, with a special focus on its immunomodulatory properties. As VDR and the enzyme 1-α-hydroxylase are expressed in most immune cells, vitamin D modulates the phagocytic activity of macrophages and natural killer cells. In addition, it induces the microbicidal activity of phagocytes. In contrast, vitamin D suppresses differentiation and maturation of antigen-presenting dendritic cells and B lymphocytes, and it inhibits proliferation of Th1 and Th17 cells. In this review we aimed to describe the current scientific discoveries on the role of vitamin D as immunomodulator.

P 14 Deficiency of regulatory profile in pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia

Introduction Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy specific syndrome characterized by a systemic inflammatory response. An imbalance between Th17 and regulatory T cell detected in this pathology seems to be dependent on the deficiency of regulatory factors capable of modulating this inflammation. Vitamin D generates an immune tolerogenic status through its regulatory activities on the inflammatory response. Objectives The present study aimed to evaluate the plasma levels of vitamin D, cytokines and to analyze the profile of CD4+ T cells subsets as well as the expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from pregnant women with PE. Methods Twenty women with early-onset PE, 20 women with late-onset PE and 20 normotensive (NT) pregnant women were studied. Plasma concentrations of vitamin D was evaluated by chemiluminescence and the levels of IL-10, IL-17 and TNF-a were determined by ELISA. Gene expression of VDR, transcription factors RORc (Th17) and FoxP3 (Treg) were evaluated by qPCR. Results were analyzed by non-parametric tests at 5% significance level. Results Plasma concentration of vitamin D was significantly lower in early-onset PE group compared to late-onset PE and NT groups, while the levels of TNF-α and IL-17 were significantly higher in early-onset PE group. On the other hand, IL-10 levels were significantly lower in both PE groups than in NT group. Gene expression of VDR was significantly decreased in early-onset PE group compared to NT group, while higher expression of mRNA RORc and lower expression of mRNA FoxP3 were observed in preeclamptic women. Positive correlation between vitamin D vs VDR and VDR vs FoxP3 was observed in PE (r = 0.44, p Conclusion In preeclamptic women there is a decrease in regulatory status, suggesting a deficient immunomodulatory role of vitamin D that result in higher inflammatory profile, more evident in the early-onset PE. This imbalance in maternal tolerance indicate that vitamin D may participate in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Gut microbiota interactions with the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in normal individuals

BackgroundDue to immunomodulatory properties, vitamin D status has been implicated in several diseases beyond the skeletal disorders. There is evidence that its deficiency deteriorates the gut barrier favoring translocation of endotoxins into the circulation and systemic inflammation. Few studies investigated whether the relationship between vitamin D status and metabolic disorders would be mediated by the gut microbiota composition. ObjectiveWe examined the association between vitamin D intake and circulating levels of 25(OH)D with gut microbiota composition, inflammatory markers and biochemical profile in healthy individuals. MethodsIn this cross-sectional analysis, 150 young healthy adults were stratified into tertiles of intake and concentrations of vitamin D and their clinical and inflammatory profiles were compared. The DESeq2 was used for comparisons of microbiota composition and the log2 fold changes (log2FC) represented the comparison against the reference level. The association between 25(OH)D and fecal microbiota (16S rRNA sequencing, V4 region) was tested by multiple linear regression. ResultsVitamin D intake was associated with its concentration (r=0.220, p=0.008). There were no significant differences in clinical and inflammatory variables across tertiles of intake. However, lipopolysaccharides increased with the reduction of 25(OH)D (p-trend <0.05). Prevotella was more abundant (log2FC 1.67, p<0.01), while Haemophilus and Veillonella were less abundant (log2FC −2.92 and −1.46, p<0.01, respectively) in the subset with the highest vitamin D intake (reference) than that observed in the other subset (first plus second tertiles). PCR (r=−0.170, p=0.039), E-selectin (r=−0.220, p=0.007) and abundances of Coprococcus (r=−0.215, p=0.008) and Bifdobacterium (r=−0.269, p=0.001) were inversely correlated with 25(OH)D. After adjusting for age, sex, season and BMI, 25(OH)D maintained inversely associated with Coprococcus (β=−9.414, p=0.045) and Bifdobacterium (β=−1.881, p=0.051), but significance disappeared following the addition of inflammatory markers in the regression models. ConclusionThe role of vitamin D in the maintenance of immune homeostasis seems to occur in part by interacting with the gut microbiota. The attenuation of association of bacterial genera by inflammatory markers suggests that inflammation participate in part in the relationship between the gut microbiota and vitamin D concentration. Studies with appropriate design are necessary to address hypothesis raised in the current study.

6 Association between proinflammatory cytokines and deficient vitamin D levels in early-onset preeclampsia

Introduction Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy specific syndrome characterized by intense systemic inflammatory response and abnormally activated phenotype of immune cells. The imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines seems to be dependent on the deficiency of regulatory factors capable of modulating this inflammatory response. Vitamin D plays an important role in the modulation of immune/inflammation system by regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and generating an immune tolerogenic status. Objectives Since vitamin D deficiency has been reported in pregnant women with PE the present study assessed whether there is an association between plasma levels of vitamin D and pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in this gestational pathology. Methods Plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was evaluated by chemiluminescence, and the levels of Interleukin-1beta (IL-1b), IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF- α \) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the plasma of 40 normotensive pregnant women, 45 women with early-onset PE and 75 women with late-onset PE. Differences between groups were analyzed by non-parametric tests with significance level set at 5%. Results The plasma concentration of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in early-onset PE group compared with the late-onset PE and normotensive groups, while the levels of TNF- α and IL-1 β were significantly higher in the early-onset PE group. Moreover, IL-10 levels were significantly lower in the both groups of preeclamptic women than in the normotensive group. A negative correlation between the values of 25(OH)D and TNF- α ( r =−0.6454, p β ( r =−0.4330, p =0.0059) was detected in early-onset PE women. Positive correlation between IL-10 and 25(OH)D plasma levels was observed in the three groups studied: early PE ( r =0.3403, p =0.0340), late-onset PE ( r =0.3512, p =0.0023) and normotensive pregnant women ( r =0.5629, p =0.0127). Conclusion The inverse association between circulating levels of 25(OH)D and the inflammatory cytokines TNF- α and IL-1 β detected in early-onset PE women suggest a deficient immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in the systemic inflammatory response of this form of PE.

The immunomodulatory role of Vitamin D

The vitamin D endocrine system plays a crucial role in regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Over the past two decades of research, there is a growing appreciation for the immunoregulatory role of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with numerous diseases characterized by inflammation, including malignancies, autoimmune disorders and chronic infections. Vitamin D suppresses parathyroid hormone secretion, adaptive immune response, cell proliferation, and at the same time promotes insulin secretion, innate immune response and stimulates cell differentiation. The review discusses present state of knowledge of a basic role of vitamin D in modulating different immunological properties, including lymphocyte activation and proliferation, differentiation of Th lymphocytes, production of specific antibodies and regulation of the immune response. Finally, clinical potential of vitamin D metabolites for modulating tissue-specific immune responses and for preventing and treating inflammatory disease and immune system disorders has been reported.

Vitamin D receptor and CD86 expression in the skin of vitamin D-deficient swine

The immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in many diseases is well established. However, the relationship between vitamin D status and skin cancers is unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of vitamin D deficiency and sufficiency on VDR, NF-κB, and CD86 in the epidermis of Yucatan microswine tragi. All of these proteins have known roles in the pathogenesis of cutaneous malignancies such as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. There was weaker and less discrete nuclear staining for VDR and weaker CD86 immunoreactivity with patchy membranous expression in the epidermis of vitamin D-deficient compared to vitamin D-sufficient swine. There was no difference in the immunostaining for NF-κB. Since VDR and CD86 expression are decreased in the setting of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, our findings suggest a potential role of vitamin D-deficiency in the progression of skin malignancies.

Outdoor exposure and vitamin D levels in urban children with asthma

BackgroundThe inner-city pediatric population in the United States has a disproportionate burden of asthma. Recent attention has focused on the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D, which may be protective against disease morbidity. As the primary determinant of vitamin D status in humans is exposure to sunlight, we aimed to determine if 25-OH vitamin D levels in urban preschool children with asthma were low, influenced by time spent outdoors, and associated with asthma morbidity.MethodsSerum 25-OH vitamin D levels were measured at baseline in a cohort of 121 inner-city children ages 2–6 years with asthma in Baltimore, MD. Participants were followed longitudinally at 3 and 6 months to assess time spent outdoors, asthma symptoms through questionnaires and daily diaries, and allergic markers.ResultsIn a predominantly black population of preschool children, the median 25-OH vitamin D level was 28 ng/mL (IQR 21.2-36.9), with 54% of the children below the traditionally sufficient level of 30 ng/mL and 7.4% in the range associated with risk of rickets (< 15 ng/mL). The median time spent outdoors was 3 hours/day (IQR 2–4), and greater time spent outdoors was not associated with higher vitamin D levels. 25-OH vitamin D did not show seasonal variation in our cohort (p = 0.66). Lower 25-OH levels were correlated with higher IgE levels.ConclusionsUrban African-American preschool children with asthma have high rates of vitamin D insufficiency, and increased outdoor exposure is unlikely to correct these low 25-OH vitamin D levels. Repletion in this population may require dietary supplementation.

SAT0439 Correlation between Vitamin D Metabolites and TH17 or T-Regulatory Cells as well as Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

BackgroundImbalance between cells secreting IL-17 (Th17) and regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) may be a key pathogenic event in development of autoimmnune diseases. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D may have...

Immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in bronchial asthma

Event Abstract Back to Event Immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in bronchial asthma Devendra K. Agrawal1*, Tanupriya Agrawal1 and Gaurav K. Gupta1 1 Creighton University School of Medicine, Center for Clinical & Translational Science, United States Rationale: Allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) are hallmarks of asthma. NF-κB is a potent transcriptional factor involved in the generation of many inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Active subunits of NF-κB are transported from cytosol to the nucleus by importin-α3 and importin-α4. Vitamin D is a potent immunomodulator regulating immune response. However, role of vitamin D in allergic asthma is still unclear. Here, we examined the effect of vitamin D status on allergic immune response in a mouse model. Methods: Female pups from vitamin D-deficient BALB/c parents were continued on vitamin D-deficient mice. In parallel, mice were fed with vitamin D-sufficient (2,000 IU/kg) or vitamin D-supplemented (10,000 IU/kg) diet for 13 weeks, then sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). Effect of vitamin D status was examined on AHR, airway inflammation, and the expression of importin-α3 and NF-κB in the lungs. Results: Three groups of mice had serum 25(OH)D levels (ng/ml) of 5.0+0.2, 31.0+0.7, and 67.1+0.5, respectively at 13 weeks following OVA challenge. Vitamin D deficiency exaggerated AHR, collagen deposition, mucus gland hyperplasia, BAL eosinophilia, levels of BALF pro-inflammatory cytokines, and reduced blood T-regulatory cells and BALF IL-10 levels. In the lungs of vitamin D-deficient mice, there was increased expression of importin-α3 and NF-κB and decreased expression of VDR. Vitamin D supplementation did not completely reverse the features of allergic airway inflammation and AHR, but increased circulating T-regulatory cells and reduced pro-inflammatory response. Conclusion: Vitamin D could be beneficial as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of allergic asthma. Acknowledgements This work was supported by National Institutes of Health awards number R01AI75315 and R01HL116042 to Dr. DK Agrawal. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Keywords: Allergic Airway Inflammation, Allergic Asthma, Immunomodulation, Vitamin D, importin-α Conference: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013. Presentation Type: Abstract Topic: Translational immunology and immune intervention Citation: Agrawal DK, Agrawal T and Gupta GK (2013). Immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in allergic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in bronchial asthma. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.00031 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 08 Mar 2013; Published Online: 22 Aug 2013. * Correspondence: Prof. Devendra K Agrawal, Creighton University School of Medicine, Center for Clinical & Translational Science, OMAHA, NE, 68178, United States, DAgrawal@WesternU.edu Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Devendra K Agrawal Tanupriya Agrawal Gaurav K Gupta Google Devendra K Agrawal Tanupriya Agrawal Gaurav K Gupta Google Scholar Devendra K Agrawal Tanupriya Agrawal Gaurav K Gupta PubMed Devendra K Agrawal Tanupriya Agrawal Gaurav K Gupta Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Seasonal vitamin D variability and its effects on the innate immune response during human endotoxemia

In the past several years, an important immuno-modulatory role for vitamin D has been identified. At high latitudes, seasonal vitamin D deficiency is common due to due to low UV-B radiation exposure, which is necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D. In this retrospective study we investigated whether vitamin D levels are subject to seasonal variation and whether plasma levels of vitamin D correlate with the extent of the innate immune response during human endotoxemia.

Role of vitamin D in immune responses and autoimmune diseases, with emphasis on its role in multiple sclerosis

Vitamin D is a seco-steroid involved in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and bone formation and mineralization, through binding to a specific nuclear receptor, vitamin D receptor (VDR). Besides its well-established functions on bone health, multiple lines of evidence have indicated the immunomodulatory roles of vitamin D. Vitamin D can affect both innate and adaptive immunity, and prevent autoimmune responses efficiently. Vitamin D regulates the immune responses by suppressing T cell proliferation and modulating macrophage functions. Epidemiological studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is associated with multiple diseases such as rickets and cancer. Moreover, associations between vitamin D and autoimmune diseases have been confirmed in multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), etc. The present review mainly summarized the recent findings on the immunomodulatory role of vitamin D in various disorders, with special focus on its role in MS, an autoimmune disease of the nervous system.

Effect of Topical Vitamin D Analogue on In Vivo Contact Sensitization

The immunomodulatory role of vitamin D and its analogues has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo using animal models. We evaluated the effect of a vitamin D analogue, calcipotriene, in vivo on human subjects using a contact hypersensitivity model. Subjects were pretreated with topical calcipotriene, simulated solar radiation, or both on buttock skin. They were then sensitized and challenged using the contact allergen dinitrochlorobenzene. Immune response was measured by change in skinfold thickness before vs after elicitation across the challenge sites. Calcipotriene-treated individuals demonstrated 64% immunosuppression compared with untreated controls. This is equivalent to the immunosuppression induced by UV exposure.