Title:Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D in Influenza Infection
VOLUME: 14 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Ramazan Rezaei, Saeed Aslani, Mahdi Marashi, Farhad Rezaei and Ehsan Sharif-Paghaleh*
Affiliation:Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Keywords:Vitamin D, influenza virus, infection, immune response, infection, immunomodulatory effect.
Abstract:Background: Vitamin D has mainly been described in the literature beyond its skeletal
functions, including an influence on the immune responses against infections. Observational and
interventional studies have represented evidence that Vitamin D deficiency may cause increased risk
of seasonal influenza and pulmonary tract infection.
Methods: A structured search of EMBASE, Medline, and Web of Science databases was fulfilled to
extract all eligible articles published prior to September 2017.
Results: In this review, our goal is to define the possible mechanisms that link influenza-mediated
immune responses to Vitamin D. Herein, we first briefly describe the role of Vitamin D in the
immune responses and then elucidate three immunological processes that connect Vitamin D to
influenza infection. Finally, we describe randomized controlled trials and observational studies
exploring the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on seasonal influenza infections and vaccinations.
Conclusion: Our literature review suggests that treatment of influenza-infected individuals with
Vitamin D supplements or cathelicidin-derived agents may provide appreciable protection against
natural influenza infection. Moreover, Vitamin D given at appropriate doses may facilitate protection
against seasonal flu.
