Table 2.

Immunomodulating activity of vitamin D on immune systems.

Innate Immunity [42,43,44,45,46]
Stimulation of the production by neutrophils, macrophages, and cells liningepithelial surfaces of CAMP and DEFB4
Increase in the antimicrobial effect against pathogens
Induction of the intracellular pathogen recognition receptor NOD2
Enhancement in transcription of CAMP and DEFB4
Suppression of hepcidin antimicrobial peptide expression
Reduction in ferroportin-mediated export of intracellular iron
Adaptive Immunity [47]
Differentiation and maturation of DC
Expression on monocytes of molecules involved in antigen capture
Reduction in pro-inflammatory Th1 response
Increase anti-inflammatory Th2 response
Increase in T regulatory cells
Limitation of the number of CD4+ T cells

CAMP, cathelicidin; DEFB4, β-defensin 2; DC, dendritic cells (DC).