Why do T cells express the vitamin D receptor? - PubMed (original) (raw)

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Why do T cells express the vitamin D receptor?

Margherita T Cantorna. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2011 Jan.

Abstract

Vitamin D is an important regulator of immune function. T cells express the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and have been shown to be direct and indirect vitamin D targets. Why should T cells be responsive to vitamin D? The data suggest that expression of the VDR is required for the development of two cell types, NKT cells and CD8αα T cells, which inhibit autoimmunity. In addition, effector T cell cytokine production is regulated by vitamin D. Available evidence suggests that NKT and CD8αα T cells express the VDR as part of the selection process to protect against the generation of autoimmunity, particularly in the gut.

© 2010 New York Academy of Sciences.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

The role of vitamin D and the VDR in development of iNKT cells and TCRαβ CD8αα T cells. VDR KO mice have normal numbers of conventional CD4 and CD8 positive T cells. Conversely, VDR KO mice develop fewer less mature iNKT cells and TCRαβ CD8αα T cells. iNKT cells and TCRαβ CD8αα T cells diverge from conventional T cells at the DP stage when they undergo agonist selection under the influence of non-classical MHC class I molecules. Following selection the iNKT cells and TCRαβ CD8αα T cells diverge. It is likely that there is a common and vitamin D regulated step that occurs at this point in the development of these cell types.

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