The immunological implication of the new vitamin D metabolism

Vitamin D is a neuro-hormone regulating calcium-phosphate homeostasis, cell proliferation, and immunomodulation. Exogenous and endogenous vitamin D is inactive, and two hydroxylations are required to produce the active hormone. The first hydroxylation is unique to the liver, while the second step occurs in kidney, brain, lung, prostate, placenta, and immune cells. Kidney-derived calcitriol regulates calcium homeostasis. Active hormone produced by brain and immune cells mediates immune system response; lung calcitriol is involved in fighting respiratory tract infections; finally, prostate and placenta vitamin D regulates cells growth and proliferation within such tissues. Immune modulation by vitamin D includes enhancing innate immune response, attenuating and stimulating Th1 and Th2 cell proliferation, respectively, and promoting self-tolerance. Hypovitaminosis D is a common finding in several autoimmune diseases. It is unclear whether hypovitaminosis D could be a consequence or a cause of autoimmune diseases and whether vitamin D supplementation has an impact on these patients. Moreover, there is no consensus on oral cholecalciferol dosage for supplementation. More interventional studies are required to better define how vitamin D could represent both a causation agent in autoimmunity and a target for therapeutic strategies in autoimmune patients.