title: [Vitamin C and its physiological role with respect to the components of the immune system].
abstract: Vitamin C is a water soluble micronutrient commonly found in our diet which orchestrates the function of both innate and adaptive immune system, influencing both cellular and humoral immune responses. Vitamin C inhibits excessive activation of the immune system to prevent tissue damage, but also supports antibacterial activity, stimulates NK cells and differentiation of Th0 subset into Th1 characterized by interferon γ production. In addition, vitamin C interferes with the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines, or with the expression of adhesive molecules. Moreover, vitamin C as an antioxidat protects the immune cells against intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) formed in the inflammatory response. Vitamin C as an enzymatic cofactor is extremely important in maintaining tissue integrity, and plays a crucial role in formation of skin, epithelial and endothelial barriers.
authors.affiliation: Ústav klinické imunologie a alergologie Lékarske fakulty UK a FN Hradec Králové. holmannova@gmail.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Holmannová
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koláčková
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krejsek
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000502:physiology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000502:physiology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen; D001205:Ascorbic Acid