Immunomodulation by vitamin D: implications for TB

Abstract

TB remains a major cause of mortality throughout the world. Low vitamin D status has been linked to increased risk of TB and other immune disorders. These observations suggest a role for vitamin D as a modulator of normal human immune function. This article will detail the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which vitamin D regulates the immune system and how vitamin D insufficiency may lead to immune dysregulation. The importance of vitamin D bioavailability as a mechanism for defining the immunomodulatory actions of vitamin D and its impact on TB will also be discussed. The overall aim will be to provide a fresh perspective on the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and treatment of TB.

Keywords::

• cathelicidin
• CYP24A1
• CYP27B1
• defensins
• monocyte
• neutrophil
• TB
• Toll-like receptor
• vitamin D
• vitamin D receptor

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors’ work was partly supported by NIH grant AI073539. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.