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Vitamin D Regulation of Immune Function.

Daniel D Bikle1

  • 1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California San Francisco, 1700 Owens St, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA. Daniel.bikle@ucsf.edu.

Current Osteoporosis Reports
|May 4, 2022
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Summary

Vitamin D deficiency increases respiratory infection risk. Supplementation helps prevent severe outcomes like hospitalization and death from SARS-CoV-2 by enhancing immune response.

Keywords:
Adaptive immunityAirway epitheliaCalcitriolCathelicidinInnate immunityPulmonary alveolar macrophageViral infectionVitamin D

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Vitamin D deficiency is linked to higher risks of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections.
  • Clinical studies indicate that correcting vitamin D deficiency can lower hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality rates associated with SARS-CoV-2.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how vitamin D and its metabolites modulate the immune system for preventing and treating SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory infections.
  • To encourage further research on vitamin D supplementation's role in managing these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on vitamin D metabolism and immune function.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data regarding vitamin D supplementation and respiratory infection outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The airway epithelium and alveolar macrophages produce the active form of vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) and express the vitamin D receptor (VDR).
  • Vitamin D metabolites bolster the innate immune system while moderating the adaptive immune response, crucial for preventing excessive inflammation and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Correction of vitamin D deficiency is primarily rationalized by its role in promoting an effective immune response to viral infections like SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions:

  • Vitamin D plays a critical role in regulating immune responses relevant to respiratory infections.
  • Addressing vitamin D deficiency may be a key strategy in managing and preventing severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 and similar infections.