Immune Regulation by Vitamin D

Dear Colleagues,

An entirely new facet of vitamin D effects, distinct from its action on homeostasis and bone metabolism, is increasingly being appreciated. These non-classical effects of vitamin D have now been acknowledged as important components of vitamin D physiology. The fact that the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, is a regulator of immune responses has been recently discovered. The effects of vitamin D on both the innate and adaptive immune responses has reached a new horizon with the realisation that the intracrine metabolism of vitamin D in immune cells may be a control point in immunity to infection and in chronic inflammatory disease. Because such non-classical effects of vitamin D have now been accepted, coupled with the fact that vitamin D insufficiency is presently a global health issue even in developed countries, new interest has been raised concerning disease development. In addition, present research efforts will provide the molecular rationale for intervention studies designed to test vitamin D as a chemo-preventative strategy for clinical management of autoimmune diseases.

Prof. Dr. Antonio Ferrante
Prof. Dr. Margherita T. Cantorna
Guest Editors

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