Erschienen in:
01.10.2012 | Review Article
Vitamin D and polymorphisms of VDR gene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
verfasst von:
Odirlei André Monticielo, Thaisa de Mattos Teixeira, José Artur Bogo Chies, João Carlos Tavares Brenol, Ricardo Machado Xavier
Erschienen in:
Clinical Rheumatology
|
Ausgabe 10/2012
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Abstract
The susceptibility for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is related to environmental, hormonal, genetic, and immunological factors. Numerous genes have been linked to the emergence of SLE, including vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene that synthesizes the receptor of vitamin D. Several polymorphisms have been described since the discovery of this gene, and their effects on VDR activity are still poorly understood. Vitamin D’s biological functions are mediated by VDR. Vitamin D exerts many actions on the immune system, and several studies have suggested its role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. SLE patients have low blood levels of vitamin D, which raises the possibility of association between the deficiency of this vitamin and the onset of the disease. BsmI and FokI polymorphic variants seem to be related to the onset of the disease in Asian patients. In this article, we review the aspects related to the metabolism and immunoregulatory effects of vitamin D, VDR, and main polymorphisms involving the VDR gene and the relationship between vitamin D levels and its receptor with SLE.