title: Vitamin D endocrine system and the immune response in rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Epidemiological evidence indicates a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. The presence of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in the cells of the immune system and the fact that several of these cells produce the vitamin D hormone suggested that vitamin D could have immunoregulatory properties, and now potent immunomodulatory activities on dendritic cells, Th1 and Th17 cells, as well as B cells have been confirmed. Serum levels of vitamin D have been found to be significantly lower in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, undifferentiated connective tissue disease, and type-1 diabetes mellitus than in the healthy population. In addition, it was also found that lower levels of vitamin D were associated with higher disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Promising clinical results together with evidence for the regulation of multiple immunomodulatory mechanisms by VDR agonists represent a sound basis for further exploration of their potential in the treatment of rheumatic autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratories and Academic Unit of Clinical Rheumatology, Postgraduate Academic School of Rheumatology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cutolo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plebani
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Adorini
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tincani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000502:physiology*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D056747:Immunomodulation; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014807:Vitamin D