The paradoxical effects of vitamin D on type 1 mediated immunity

Low vitamin D status is associated with an increased risk of Th1 mediated autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease. 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 treatments have been shown to suppress Th1 mediated immunity and protect animals from experimental autoimmunity. Th1 mediated immunity is important for clearance of a number of different infectious diseases. For tuberculosis 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 treatment is associated with decreased Th1 mediated immunity but increased bactericidal activity. Systemic candidiasis is unaffected by 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 treatment. The seemingly paradoxical effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 and vitamin D on Th1 mediated autoimmunity versus infectious immunity point to a broad array of vitamin D targets in the immune system. The interplay of these vitamin D targets and their impact on the host-immune response then dictate the outcome. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.