title: Systemic effects of vitamin D.
abstract: Traditionally perceived as a seco-steroid hormone involved in the regulation of calcium metabolism, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3] is now known also to be active in tissues not directly contributing to mineral metabolism. New data show that 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 is produced by and interacts with hematopoietic cells. The hormone promotes myeloid differentiation and modulates the function of activated lymphocytes. Another new target tissue for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 is the skin, where 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 enhances differentiation of epidermal cells. Therapeutic application of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 or suitable analogues in differentiation disorders of hematopoietic and skin cells is currently under investigation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California-Riverside 92521.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reichel
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Norman
mesh_terms: D002117:Calcitriol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002117:Calcitriol