ABSTRACT
The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D have been extensively studied in the context of autoimmunity. Multiple studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in autoimmune diseases. Recently, a possible protective role of vitamin D in autoimmunity has been described; however, this function remains controversial. Few studies have investigated the role of vitamin D in patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS). In this review, we compiled the main features of SS pathogenesis, the vitamin D immunomodulatory effects and the possible interaction between both. Data suggests that vitamin D may play a role in the SS pathogenesis. In addition, vitamin D low levels have been found in SS patients, which are associated with extra-glandular manifestations, such as lymphoma or neuropathy, suggesting a possible benefit effect of vitamin D in SS.
Subject(s)
Sjogren's Syndrome/immunology , Vitamin D/immunology , Vitamins/immunology , Animals , Autoimmunity , Humans , Vitamin D/metabolism , Vitamins/metabolismABSTRACT
Bechet's disease (BD) is an inflammatory, multi systemic disease with spontaneous remissions and relapses similar to various autoimmune diseases. BD leads to organ damage, including the eyes, skin, joints, etc., which produces various clinical manifestations. The central histopathologic characteristic is systemic vasculitis with perivascular inflammatory infiltrates. The etiopathogenesis is unknown, although immunological abnormalities, possibly induced by susceptible microbiological pathogens, have been postulated.
