REVIEW - Vitamin D in RA

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Autoimmun Rev. 2007 Nov;7(1):59-64. Epub 2007 Aug 14.

Vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis.

Cutolo M, Otsa K, Uprus M, Paolino S, Seriolo B.

Research Laboratory and Academic Clinical Unit of Rheumatology,

Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Viale Benedetto

XV, 6 - 16132 Genova, Italy.

The discovery of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in the cells of the

immune system and the fact that activated dendritic cells produce the

vitamin D hormone suggested that vitamin D could have immunoregulatory

properties. VDR, a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily,

was identified in mononuclear cells, dendritic cells,

antigen-presenting cells, and activated T-B lymphocytes. In synthesis,

the most evident effects of the D-hormone on the immune system seem to

be in the downregulation of the Th1-driven autoimmunity. Low serum

levels of vitamin D3 might be partially related, among other factors,

to prolonged daily darkness (reduced activation of the pre vitamin D

by the ultra violet B sunlight), different genetic background (i.e.

vitamin D receptor polymorphism) and nutritional factors, and explain

to the latitute-related prevalence of autoimmune diseases such as

rheumatoid arthritis (RA), by considering the potential

immunosuppressive roles of vitamin D. 25(OH)D3 plasma levels have been

found inversely correlated at least with the RA disease activity

showing a circannual rhythm (more severe in winter). Recently, greater

intake of vitamin D was associated with a lower risk of RA, as well as

a significant clinical improvement was strongly correlated with the

immunomodulating potential in vitamin D-treated RA patients.

PMID: 17967727

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17967727

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