title: Illuminating vitamin D effects on B cells--the multiple sclerosis perspective.
abstract: Vitamin D is associated with many immune-mediated disorders. In multiple sclerosis (MS) a poor vitamin D status is a major environmental factor associated with disease incidence and severity. The inflammation in MS is primarily T-cell-mediated, but increasing evidence points to an important role for B cells. This has paved the way for investigating vitamin D effects on B cells. In this review we elaborate on vitamin D interactions with antibody production, T-cell-stimulating capacity and regulatory B cells. Although in vitro plasma cell generation and expression of co-stimulatory molecules are inhibited and the function of regulatory B cells is promoted, this is not supported by in vivo data. We speculate that differences might be explained by the B-cell-Epstein-Barr virus interaction in MS, the exquisite role of germinal centres in B-cell biology, and/or in vivo interactions with other hormones and vitamins that interfere with the vitamin D pathways. Further research is warranted to illuminate this tube-versus-body paradox.
authors.affiliation: School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.|Academic MS Centre Limburg, Zuyderland Medisch Centrum, Sittard, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rolf
authors.affiliation: School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.|Academic MS Centre Limburg, Zuyderland Medisch Centrum, Sittard, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne-Hilde
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Muris
authors.affiliation: School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.|Academic MS Centre Limburg, Zuyderland Medisch Centrum, Sittard, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hupperts
authors.affiliation: Central Diagnostic Laboratory, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Damoiseaux
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D
keywords: B cells; Epstein-Barr virus; autoimmune; multiple sclerosis; plasma cells; vitamin D