Immune cells also produce an enzyme called 1a-hydroxylase, which helps convert vitamin D into its active form, calcitriol. The discovery of VDR and 1a-hydroxylase in immune cells is what led scientists to investigate the role of vitamin D in human immunology.
Recent studies have now established that vitamin D plays a key role in regulating the expression of specific antimicrobial peptides in immune cells. Antimicrobial peptides, also known as host defense peptides, are the body’s first line of defense against pathogens. These small proteins have the ability to kill harmful elements, such as bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses and even cancer cells.
According to immunological studies, vitamin D levels affect the expression of some antimicrobial peptides with antiviral effects. This is because VDR activation influences the activity of toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are proteins found on the surfaces of immune cells directly involved in innate immune response. TLRs recognize bacterial and viral proteins and, upon recognition, release small signaling molecules (cytokines) that trigger the expression of appropriate antimicrobial peptides....<<<Read The Full Article Here>>>...
