Vitamin D, immunoregulation, and rheumatoid arthritis

J Clin Rheumatol. 2011 Mar;17(2):102-7. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0b013e31820edd18.

Abstract

In addition to being important in calcium and phosphorus metabolism, bone formation, and mineralization, vitamin D also plays a part in the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Vitamin D receptors are expressed in a number of different tissues, including, and perhaps most notably, on immune cells. The presence or absence of activated vitamin D has a number of effects on in vitro immune cell function. This review describes the possible immunoregulatory role of vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis with clinical and animal studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / physiopathology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Hemostasis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Immune System / physiology*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / physiology*
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Vitamin D