title: Vitamin D metabolism and innate immunity.
abstract: Effects of vitamin D on the immune system have been recognized for over 30 years and stemmed in part from analysis of the dysregulated vitamin D metabolism associated with granulomatous diseases. However, it is only in more recent years that a role for interaction between vitamin D and normal immune function has been proposed. As with the original studies, the basis for this new perspective on immunomodulation by vitamin D stems from studies of vitamin D metabolism by immune cells. In particular, induction of the vitamin D-activating enzyme CYP27B1 in monocytes via pathogen recognizing receptors has highlighted an entirely new function for vitamin D as a potent inducer of antibacterial innate immune responses. This has prompted a new potential role for vitamin D in protecting against infection in a wide range of tissues but has also prompted revision of the parameters for adequate vitamin D status. The following review describes some of the key developments in innate immune responses to vitamin D with particular emphasis on the role of key metabolic enzyme as determinants of localized immune activity of vitamin D.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Venu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lagishetty
authors.forename: Nancy Q
authors.initials: NQ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hewison
mesh_terms: D015090:25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D056747:Immunomodulation; D018448:Models, Immunological; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D015090:25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase