Vitamin D insufficiency: implications for the immune system.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a loss of kidney function and dysregulation of vitamin D metabolism. Well known are the defects in final activation of vitamin D to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)], resulting in renal osteodystrophy. However, in recent years, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) has been identified as having effects far beyond calcium and bone metabolism. In this review, specific attention is given to the effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on the immune system and the implications of vitamin D deficiency, a feature of many patients with CKD, on immune function.
Baeke
Femke
F
Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49-ON1-bus 902, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
Gysemans
Conny
C
Korf
Hannelie
H
Mathieu
Chantal
C
D002117:Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014815:Vitamins; D002117:Calcitriol