[Vitamin D and osteoimmunology].

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D was considered to be one of nutrients which has an important role in the maintenance of calcium and phosphate metabolism. It was then revealed that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D metabolized from vitamin D works as a calciotropic hormone. Vitamin D metabolites were further shown to affect cell proliferation and differentiation. In immune system, vitamin D metabolites modulate both innate and adaptive immunity. Epidemiological studies indicated the associations between vitamin D deficiency and various diseases such as autoimmune diseases, allergy, infection and malignancy. In addition, vitamin D supplementation was shown to improve some these diseases.