Why do T cells express the vitamin D receptor?
Vitamin D is an important regulator of immune function. T cells express the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and have been shown to be direct and indirect vitamin D targets. Why should T cells be responsive to vitamin D? The data suggest that expression of the VDR is required for the development of two cell types, NKT cells and CD8αα T cells, which inhibit autoimmunity. In addition, effector T cell cytokine production is regulated by vitamin D. Available evidence suggests that NKT and CD8αα T cells express the VDR as part of the selection process to protect against the generation of autoimmunity, particularly in the gut.
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Center for Molecular Immunology and Infectious Disease, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA. mxc69@psu.edu
Margherita T
MT
Cantorna
D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D055611:Natural Killer T-Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D