title: The link between vitamin D deficiency and systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent and is increasingly thought to be an important risk factor in many diseases that have high morbidity and mortality, including lupus. Vitamin D is an immunomodulatory hormone with effects on T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells. Animal models of autoimmune disease and epidemiologic studies suggest a role for vitamin D as a modifiable environmental factor in autoimmune disease. Recommendations are available regarding screening for and repletion of vitamin D deficiency. More research is needed to understand the role of vitamin D as an immunomodulator and to determine the optimal range of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D for musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and immune health.
authors.affiliation: Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, Suite 912, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. kamend@musc.edu
authors.forename: Diane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Kamen
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aranow
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000235:genetics; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol