title: Induction of cellular and molecular immunomodulatory pathways by vitamin A and flavonoids.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A detailed study of reports on the immunomodulatory properties of vitamin A and select flavonoids may pave the way for using these natural compounds or compounds with similar structures in novel drug and vaccine designs against infectious and autoimmune diseases and cancers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intracellular transduction pathways, cellular differentiation and functional immunomodulatory responses have been reviewed. The reported studies encompass in vitro, in vivo preclinical and clinical studies that address the role of vitamin A and select flavonoids in induction of innate and adaptive B- and T-cell responses, including TH1, TH2 and regulatory T cells (Treg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the immunomodulatory role of vitamin A, and related compounds, is well-established in many preclinical studies, its role in humans has begun to gain wider acceptance. In contrast, the role of flavonoids is mostly controversial in clinical trials, due to the diversity of the various classes of these compounds, and possibly due to the purity and the selected doses of the compounds. However, current preclinical and clinical studies warrant further detailed studies of these promising immunomodulatory compounds.
authors.affiliation: a EpitoGenesis, Inc. , 1392 Storrs Rd Unit 4213, ATL Building, Rm 101, Storrs, CT 06269, USA Vajdy@epitogenesis.com.
authors.forename: Sapna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: a EpitoGenesis, Inc. , 1392 Storrs Rd Unit 4213, ATL Building, Rm 101, Storrs, CT 06269, USA Vajdy@epitogenesis.com.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vajdy
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D014780:Viruses / Q000187:drug effects; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D014801:Vitamin A
keywords: antiviral; catechin; flavonoid; immunomodulation; vitamin A