Title | The vitamin D-antimicrobial peptide pathway and its role in protection against infection. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Gombart AF |
Journal | Future Microbiol |
Volume | 4 |
Issue | 9 |
Pagination | 1151-65 |
Date Published | 2009 Nov |
ISSN | 1746-0921 |
Keywords | Animals, Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides, Bacterial Infections, Cathelicidins, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Metabolic Networks and Pathways, Receptors, Calcitriol, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Vitamins |
Abstract | Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with increased rates of infection. Since the early 19th century, both environmental (i.e., sunlight) and dietary sources (cod liver) of vitamin D have been identified as treatments for TB. The recent discovery that vitamin D induces antimicrobial peptide gene expression explains, in part, the 'antibiotic' effect of vitamin D and has greatly renewed interest in the ability of vitamin D to improve immune function. Subsequent work indicates that this regulation is biologically important for the response of the innate immune system to wounds and infection and that deficiency may lead to suboptimal responses toward bacterial and viral infections. The regulation of the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide gene is a human/primate-specific adaptation and is not conserved in other mammals. The capacity of the vitamin D receptor to act as a high-affinity receptor for vitamin D and a low-affinity receptor for secondary bile acids and potentially other novel nutritional compounds suggests that the evolutionary selection to place the cathelicidin gene under control of the vitamin D receptor allows for its regulation under both endocrine and xenobiotic response systems. Future studies in both humans and humanized mouse models will elucidate the importance of this regulation and lead to the development of potential therapeutic applications. |
DOI | 10.2217/fmb.09.87 |
Alternate Journal | Future Microbiol |
PubMed ID | 19895218 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC2821804 |
Grant List | R01 AI065604 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States R01 AI065604-04 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States 5R01AI065604-04 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States |