Vitamin D influences asthmatic pathology through its action on diverse immunological pathways

TY - JOUR

T1 - Vitamin D influences asthmatic pathology through its action on diverse immunological pathways

AU - Pfeffer, Paul

AU - Mann, Elizabeth H.

AU - Hornsby, Eve

AU - Chambers, Emma S.

AU - Chen, Yin-Huai

AU - Rice, Louise

AU - Hawrylowicz, Catherine

PY - 2014/12

Y1 - 2014/12

N2 - The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency has increased markedly in recent decades to current epidemic levels (Hyppönen E, et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:860-868). In parallel, there has been an increase in the incidence of a range of immune-mediated conditions ranging from cancer to autoimmune and respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma (Holick MF. N Engl J Med 2007;357:266-281; Finklea et al. Adv Nutr 2011;2:244-253). There is also an association with increased respiratory infections, which are the most common cause of asthma exacerbations (Finklea et al. Adv Nutr 2011;2:244-253). Together, this has resulted in considerable interest in the therapeutic potential of vitamin D to prevent and improve treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases. To this end, data from clinical trials involving supplementation with active vitamin D, or more commonly a precursor, are starting to emerge. This review considers mechanisms by which vitamin D may act on the immune system to dampen inappropriate inflammatory responses in the airway while also promoting tolerance and antimicrobial defense mechanisms that collectively maintain respiratory health.

AB - The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency has increased markedly in recent decades to current epidemic levels (Hyppönen E, et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2007;85:860-868). In parallel, there has been an increase in the incidence of a range of immune-mediated conditions ranging from cancer to autoimmune and respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma (Holick MF. N Engl J Med 2007;357:266-281; Finklea et al. Adv Nutr 2011;2:244-253). There is also an association with increased respiratory infections, which are the most common cause of asthma exacerbations (Finklea et al. Adv Nutr 2011;2:244-253). Together, this has resulted in considerable interest in the therapeutic potential of vitamin D to prevent and improve treatment of asthma and other respiratory diseases. To this end, data from clinical trials involving supplementation with active vitamin D, or more commonly a precursor, are starting to emerge. This review considers mechanisms by which vitamin D may act on the immune system to dampen inappropriate inflammatory responses in the airway while also promoting tolerance and antimicrobial defense mechanisms that collectively maintain respiratory health.

KW - Vitamin D deficiency

KW - asthma

KW - immune regulation

KW - glucocorticoids

U2 - 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201405-204AW

DO - 10.1513/AnnalsATS.201405-204AW

M3 - Literature review

SN - 2325-6621

VL - 11

SP - 314

EP - 321

JO - Annals of the American Thoracic Society

JF - Annals of the American Thoracic Society

IS - Supplement 5

M1 - 25525739

ER -