title: Vitamin D and the immune system: beyond rickets.
abstract: In addition to its essential role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, vitamin D has a diverse range of biological actions, including induction of cell differentiation, inhibition of cell growth, immunomodulation and control of hormonal systems. Vitamin D plays an immunoregulatory role in both the innate and adaptive immune systems. The active metabolite of the vitamin D endocrine system, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol), exerts pleiotropic effects through its interaction with the vitamin D receptor. Low vitamin D status in humans has been implicated in the etiology of neoplasia, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disorders and infectious diseases. This review focuses on vitamin D and its effects on immune function, particularly in humans, with the aim to encourage further exploration in the veterinary field.
authors: Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL 61802, USA. maobrien@illinois.edu
authors: Mauria A
authors: MA
authors: O'Brien
authors: Mark W
authors: MW
authors: Jackson
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D012279:Rickets / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D