Vitamin D or hormone D deficiency in autoimmune rheumatic diseases, including undifferentiated connective tissue disease

Arthritis Res Ther. 2008;10(6):123. doi: 10.1186/ar2552. Epub 2008 Dec 2.

Abstract

Epidemiological evidence indicates a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. The presence of vitamin D receptors in the cells of the immune system and the fact that several of these cells produce the vitamin D hormone suggested that vitamin D could have immunoregulatory properties, and now potent immuno-modulatory activities on dendritic cells, Th1 and Th17 cells, as well as B cells have been confirmed. Patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease also show vitamin D deficiency and, interestingly, patients who progress into connective tissue diseases have lower vitamin D levels than those who remain in the undifferentiated connective tissue disease stage.

Publication types

  • Editorial

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / complications
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
  • Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / complications
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / immunology*
  • Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / pathology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / immunology*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / pathology