title: Modulation of the immune system by UV radiation: more than just the effects of vitamin D?
abstract: Humans obtain most of their vitamin D through the exposure of skin to sunlight. The immunoregulatory properties of vitamin D have been demonstrated in studies showing that vitamin D deficiency is associated with poor immune function and increased disease susceptibility. The benefits of moderate ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and the positive latitude gradients observed for some immune-mediated diseases may therefore reflect the activities of UV-induced vitamin D. Alternatively, other mediators that are induced by UV radiation may be more important for UV-mediated immunomodulation. Here, we compare and contrast the effects of UV radiation and vitamin D on immune function in immunopathological diseases, such as psoriasis, multiple sclerosis and asthma, and during infection.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, PO Box 855, Perth, Western Australia 6872, Australia. prueh@ichr.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Prue H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gorman
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Finlay-Jones
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D051379:Mice; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000528:radiation effects; D013472:Sunlight; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D