Figure 2.

Schematic representation of immunomodulatory actions of Vitamin D. Vitamin D induces the proliferation of Th2 type cells and increases the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-19, and IL-13. Further, anti-inflammatory cytokines inhibit the action of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-ɣ, which help control the excessive release of cytokines, also known as a cytokine storm. Moreover, in the deficiency of vitamin D the hyperactivation of Th1 and Th17 immune response has been postulated, which leads to cytokine storm. (The figure was created with BioRender.com).