title: [Human anti-infectious defence may be enhanced by vitamin D].
abstract: Findings about the significance of vitamin D for intrinsic immune defense may explain the effects of sunlight on immunity. Beyond the skin and the mucus layer of mucosae, antimicrobial peptides constitute the first-line defence, acting very rapidly. Their synthesis is dependent on vitamin D. Certain antimicrobial peptides inhibit the function of influenza virus. The most important factor affecting vitamin D production is sunlight, whereby the levels of this vitamin exhibit seasonal variation. Risk groups should pay special attention to the supply of vitamin D particularly during the winter infection season.
authors.affiliation: HUSLAB, Kliininen Mikrobiologia, HUS.
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alitalo
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D014807:Vitamin D