title: Vitamin D: immunomodulation of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the role of vitamin D in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the last several years, the role of vitamin D in immunomodulation has been studied and shown to have a significant impact on immune function. A causal relationship exists between vitamin D function and innate and adaptive immunity to infections. The mechanisms underlying vitamin D immune actions could be attributed to a paracrine feedback loop that reduces inflammation as well as influencing the differentiation fate of activated CD4 T cells, or the enhancement of suppressor T-cell function; indeed, a combination of these factors may underlie the actions of vitamin D.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent findings on the function of vitamin D may explain aspects of the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis and CRS and may help direct future interventions and treatment of these diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Nadeem A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Akbar
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zacharek
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D