Vitamin D-binding protein as a biomarker to confirm specific clinical diagnoses

Introduction: Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) performs a variety of functions as a transporter for various ligands and takes part in a number of systemic and local physiological and pathological processes. The knowledge about the pathomechanisms of this protein involvement justifies its use as a biomarker to confirm specific clinical diagnoses suggested by nonspecific signs and symptoms.Areas covered: DBP has properties of both systemic laboratory parameters measured in the blood plasma and specific parameters measured in variety of physiological fluids to assess local changes in specific body organs. Articles published in English between 1993 and 2019 were searched for in PubMed using terms DBP, vitamin D, and metabolites, inflammation. DBP is a transport protein and a regulator of immune and inflammatory processes.Expert opinion: DBP capacity for transporting numerous ligands and co-involvement of DBP in immune and inflammatory processes suggest that DBP may be used in laboratory diagnostics as a specific parameter to confirm pathomechanisms of several systemic diseases and local conditions. Changes in the concentration of DBP present in a variety of clinical material may provide valuable information for use in assessing the severity and treatment of pathological processes.