title: The Molecular Mechanisms of Vitamin A Deficiency in Multiple Sclerosis.
abstract: Vitamin A, considered to be an essential nutrient, has important actions in immunological responses and the central nervous system (CNS). Neuroimmunological functions of vitamin A are mediated through its active metabolite, retinoic acid (RA). In the CNS, RA contributes to regeneration and plasticity, while also playing a key role in enhancing tolerance and reducing inflammatory responses by regulating T cell, B cell and dendritic cell populations. However, evidence has indicated lower plasma levels of vitamin A in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Vitamin A deficiency leads to dysregulation of immune tolerance and pathogenic immune cell production in this disease. Vitamin A may ameliorate MS pathogenesis through numerous mechanisms including a reduction in inflammatory processes by re-establishing the balance between pathogenic (Th1, Th17, Th9) and immunoprotective cells (Th2, Tregs), modulating B cell and dendritic cell function as well as increasing tolerance of autoimmunity and regeneration in the CNS. Thus, the results from the current review suggest that vitamin A can be considered as a potential treatment in MS disease management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reza Dorosty-Motlagh
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Niyaz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohammadzadeh Honarvar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sedighiyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. m-abdolahi@razi.tums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdolahi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A
keywords: Immune system; Immunopathogenesis; Multiple sclerosis; Vitamin A