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Vitamin D metabolism and innate immunity
Venu Lagishetty1, Nancy Q Liu, Martin Hewison
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|June 14, 2011
Summary
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in innate immune responses. Studies show vitamin D activates antibacterial defenses in monocytes, suggesting a vital role in infection protection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Vitamin D's immunomodulatory effects have been recognized for decades, initially linked to granulomatous diseases.
- Recent research highlights vitamin D's role in normal immune function, particularly through immune cell metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key developments in innate immune responses to vitamin D.
- To emphasize the role of metabolic enzymes in localized vitamin D immune activity.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of vitamin D metabolism in immune cells.
- Investigation of pathogen-recognizing receptor-induced CYP27B1 in monocytes.
Main Results:
- Vitamin D acts as a potent inducer of antibacterial innate immune responses.
- CYP27B1 induction in monocytes reveals a new function for vitamin D.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D is essential for innate immunity and antibacterial defense.
- Local immune activity of vitamin D is determined by key metabolic enzymes, necessitating revised parameters for adequate vitamin D status.
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