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Immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D and its potential role in the prevention and treatment of thyroid autoimmunity: a narrative review

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Abstract

The main role of vitamin D is to control mineral homeostasis. However, recent studies suggested the existence of a number of extraskeletal effects. Among the latter, preclinical studies provided consistent data on the involvement of vitamin D in innate and adaptive immunity and autoimmunity. Molecular biology studies showed that both vitamin D receptor and vitamin D enzymatic complexes are expressed in a large number of cells and tissues unrelated to mineral homeostasis. In contrast, only a few randomized clinical trials in humans investigated the possible role of vitamin D in the prevention or treatment of immunological disorders. In this regard, low serum vitamin D levels have been reported in observational trials in human autoimmune disorders. The aim of the present paper was to review the potential implications of vitamin D in immune modulation, with special focus on thyroid autoimmune disorders.

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Abbreviations

AbTg:

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies

AbTPO:

Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies

AITD:

Autoimmune thyroid disorders

CTLA-4:

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4

DC:

Dendritic cells

DHCR7:

7-Dehydrocholesterol reductase

GD:

Graves’ disease

HT:

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

IL:

Interleukin

IFN:

Interferon

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

MR:

Mendelian randomized

NK:

Natural killer

PBMC:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell

RCT:

Randomized control trial

Tg:

Thyroglobulin

Th:

T helper cells

TH:

Thyroid hormones

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

TPO:

Thyroid peroxidase

TSH:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

TSH-R:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor

TRAb:

Anti-TSH receptor antibodies

VDR:

Vitamin D receptor

VDRE:

Vitamin D responsive elements

1,25(OH)2 vitamin D:

Cholecalciferol

1,25(OH)2vitamin D3 :

Calcitriol

24(OH) ase:

24 Hydroxylase

25(OH)D:

Calcifediol

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Acknowledgements

This work was partly supported by grants from the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR, Roma) to LB and from the University of Insubria to LB and EP. DG was supported by a University of Insubria Ph.D. scholarship.

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  1. Endocrine Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Viale L. Borri, 57, 21100, Varese, Italy

    D. Gallo, S. Rosetti, L. Gentile, P. Premoli, C. Cusini, M. L. Tanda, L. Bartalena & E. Piantanida

  2. Immunology and General Pathology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    L. Mortara & D. M. Noonan

  3. Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Busto Arsizio, Italy

    M. B. Gariboldi

  4. Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine Unit, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Varese, Italy

    S. A. M. Cattaneo

  5. Vascular Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Science and Technology Pole (PST), IRCCS Multimedica, Milan, Italy

    D. M. Noonan

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  1. D. Gallo
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Gallo, D., Mortara, L., Gariboldi, M.B. et al. Immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D and its potential role in the prevention and treatment of thyroid autoimmunity: a narrative review. J Endocrinol Invest 43, 413–429 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-019-01123-5

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