Vitamin D and its fundamental role for the immune system

Abstract

Vitamin D (25-(0H)2-D3) is not just a vitamin but it has both endocrine and paracrine functions (Nair & Maseeh, 2012). 25-(0H)2-D3 plays a fundamental role for the immune response and protection. Vitamin D target tissues which contain a specific vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR). VDRs are present in more than 30 cell types particularly those responsible for calcium homeostasis, immune function, endocrine, hematopoiesis and tumors (Kongsbak et al., 2013). Bsml (rs1544410), Apal, and Taql are fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) located next to each other in the region of intron 8 and exon 9 on the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) (Colombini et al; 2016). These polymorphisms, as will be discussed below have been commonly associated with several diseases. [excerpt]