Vitamin D and immune function

Nutrients. 2013 Jul 5;5(7):2502-21. doi: 10.3390/nu5072502.

Abstract

Vitamin D metabolizing enzymes and vitamin D receptors are present in many cell types including various immune cells such as antigen-presenting-cells, T cells, B cells and monocytes. In vitro data show that, in addition to modulating innate immune cells, vitamin D also promotes a more tolerogenic immunological status. In vivo data from animals and from human vitamin D supplementation studies have shown beneficial effects of vitamin D on immune function, in particular in the context of autoimmunity. In this review, currently available data are summarized to give an overview of the effects of vitamin D on the immune system in general and on the regulation of inflammatory responses, as well as regulatory mechanisms connected to autoimmune diseases particularly in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / drug effects
  • Adaptive Immunity / physiology
  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / immunology
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Humans
  • Immune System / drug effects*
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunity, Innate / physiology
  • Nutritional Status
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / immunology
  • Receptors, Calcitriol / metabolism
  • Seasons
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Vitamin D / immunology

Substances

  • Receptors, Calcitriol
  • Vitamin D