Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.01:25

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.

Understanding the variety of primary symptoms and systemic complications that characterize chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema01:23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease II: Emphysema

Emphysema, a major phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is characterized by irreversible destruction of alveolar walls and permanent enlargement of distal airspaces. Unlike chronic bronchitis, which primarily affects the airways, emphysema predominantly involves the lung parenchyma, where structural damage leads to airflow limitation.PathophysiologyIt most commonly results from prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke and other toxic gases, particularly cigarette smoke.
Connective Tissue Cell Types01:22

Connective Tissue Cell Types

Connective tissue develops from the mesoderm of a developing embryo and consists of cells, fibers, and ground substance: a gel-like material containing large complexes of carbohydrates and proteins. Connective tissue was first identified as a separate tissue family in the 18th century, and Johannes Peter Muller coined the term connective tissue.
Fat cells (adipocytes), smooth muscle cells (myoblasts), and bone cells (osteoblasts) are some connective tissue cell types. Some immune system cells...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effect of Dupilumab on Sleep Disturbance in Patients With Uncontrolled Moderate-to-Severe Asthma, Type 2 Inflammation, and Nocturnal Awakenings: The MORPHEO Randomized Controlled Trial.

Journal of investigational allergology & clinical immunology·2026
Same author

Asthma exacerbation risk after short-term air pollution exposure varies by age, sex, severity, and eosinophil count: East London cohort study.

Respiratory research·2026
Same author

Development and Validation of the Risk of Exacerbation in Severe Asthma (RESA) Model.

The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice·2026
Same author

Interactive Pathways of Key Prognostic Factors in Severe Asthma: A Bayesian Network Comparison of Clinical Trials and Real-World Data.

Chest·2026
Same author

Real-world effectiveness of biologic therapies in severe asthma patients ineligible for phase 3 randomised controlled trials of biologics: an analysis from the UK Severe Asthma Registry.

ERJ open research·2026
Same author

Singing for lung health following completion of pulmonary rehabilitation: feasibility of a randomised controlled trial.

BMJ open respiratory research·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

Vitamin D and lung disease.

Paul E Pfeffer1, Catherine M Hawrylowicz

  • 1MRC and Asthma-UK Centre for Allergic Mechanisms in Asthma, King’s College London, London, UK. catherine.hawrylowicz@kcl.ac.uk

Thorax
|September 1, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Vitamin D plays a key role in bone health and is increasingly recognized for its importance in immune and respiratory health. Vitamin D insufficiency is linked to various pulmonary diseases, highlighting its broad physiological impact.

More Related Videos

Isolation of Lung Retinoid-Containing Cells by Cell Sorting
07:47

Isolation of Lung Retinoid-Containing Cells by Cell Sorting

Published on: April 11, 2025

Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury
14:48

Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury

Published on: March 21, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 19, 2026

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
10:46

A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data

Published on: December 9, 2015

Isolation of Lung Retinoid-Containing Cells by Cell Sorting
07:47

Isolation of Lung Retinoid-Containing Cells by Cell Sorting

Published on: April 11, 2025

Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury
14:48

Visualizing Lung Cellular Adaptations during Combined Ozone and LPS Induced Murine Acute Lung Injury

Published on: March 21, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Vitamin D is traditionally known for calcium and bone metabolism.
  • Emerging evidence highlights vitamin D's role in immunity and respiratory health.
  • The active form, 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)D3), is locally produced and acts via the vitamin D receptor (VDR).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the expanding role of vitamin D beyond bone health.
  • To investigate the association between vitamin D axis abnormalities and pulmonary diseases.
  • To understand the mechanisms by which vitamin D influences immune responses in the respiratory system.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on vitamin D metabolism and function.
  • Analysis of studies linking vitamin D insufficiency to pulmonary conditions.
  • Examination of vitamin D's effects on innate and adaptive immune pathways.

Main Results:

  • Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent globally and associated with respiratory infections, asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.
  • Local production of 1,25(OH)D3 and VDR expression in immune cells support non-skeletal functions.
  • Vitamin D modulates innate immunity (antimicrobial peptides, autophagy) and adaptive immunity (regulatory lymphocytes).

Conclusions:

  • The vitamin D axis is crucial for maintaining pulmonary health.
  • Vitamin D insufficiency may contribute to the pathogenesis of various lung diseases.
  • Further research into vitamin D supplementation could offer therapeutic strategies for respiratory conditions.