(06-12-10) Why do T cells express the vitamin D receptor?

Cantorna MT.
Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, The Center for Molecular Immunology and Infectious Disease, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania.
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 CD8?? T cells, which inhibit autoimmunity. In addition, effector T cell cytokine production is regulated by vitamin D. Available evidence suggests that NKT and CD8?? T cells express the VDR as part of the selection process to protect against the generation of autoimmunity, particularly in the gut.

Source: Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Nov 29

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