Regulation of Dendritic Cell Functions by Vitamins as Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Immune System Disorders

A functional immune system is crucial for a healthy life, protecting from infections, tumors, or autoimmune disorders; these are accomplished by the interaction between various immune cells. Nourishment, particularly micronutrients, are very important components in the immune system balance, therefore this review emphasizes the vitamins (D, E, A, C) and Dendritic cells' subsets due to vitamins' roles in immune processes, especially on dendritic cells' functions, maturation, and cytokine production. Current studies reveal significant benefits related to vitamins, including vitamin E, which can contribute to the control of dendritic cells' function and maturation. Furthermore, vitamin D plays an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory role in the immune system. Metabolite of vitamin A which is called retinoic acid leads to T cells' differentiation to T helper 1 or T helper 17, so low levels of this vitamin exacerbate the menace of infectious diseases, and vitamin C has anti-oxidant effects on dendritic cells and modulate their activation and differentiation program. Additionally, the correlation between the amount of vitamin and the occurrence or progression of allergic diseases and autoimmunity disorders is discussed according to the results of previous studies.

Automated summary

A functional immune system is crucial for protecting us from infections, tumors, or autoimmune disorders. Micronutrients, particularly vitamins, play important roles in maintaining immune system balance. This review focuses on the roles of vitamins (D, E, A, C) and dendritic cells' subsets in immune processes, including functions, maturation, and cytokine production. Current studies show significant benefits of these vitamins, such as the control of dendritic cells' function and maturation by vitamin E, and the immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory role of vitamin D. The metabolite of vitamin A, retinoic acid, influences T cell differentiation, and vitamin C has antioxidant effects on dendritic cells. The correlation between vitamin levels and allergic diseases or autoimmunity disorders is also discussed based on previous research.