title: Micronutrients at the interface between inflammation and infection--ascorbic acid and calciferol: part 1, general overview with a focus on ascorbic acid.
abstract: As elements of the antioxidant system, cofactors of enzymes, components of transcription factors, and epigenetic modulators, micronutrients, such as vitamins and trace elements, influence various metabolic processes that are directly associated with immune functions. Specifically, the vitamins C and D have been shown to have significance immune function. Therefore, the objective of this review is to elucidate interactions between micronutrients and the immune system. In the initial section of this review, we present a general overview of interactions between the immune system and micronutrients, with a focus on the immunobiologically relevant functions of vitamin C. Immune competent cells accumulate vitamin C against a concentration gradient, with a close relationship between vitamin C supply and immune cell activity, especially phagocytosis activity and T-cell function. Accordingly, one of the consequences of vitamin C deficiency is impaired resistance to various pathogens, while an enhanced supply increases antibody activity and infection resistance.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Leibniz University of Hannover, Hannover, Germany. stroehle@nutrition.uni-hannover.de
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ströhle
authors.forename: Maike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolters
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001206:Ascorbic Acid Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000378:metabolism*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D004872:Ergocalciferols; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D001205:Ascorbic Acid