As I left off in my last post concerning immune function and vitamin D3. Immune cells are part of the active immune response. The part of the immune system that adapts to new threats to the body. So they differ from other cells in how they use vitamin D3. 

Obviously different than those renal (kidneys) cells, and bone cells in how they handle vitamin D3. This is important and much more research is needed. What we do know is how the immune cells differ from renal cells in how they use the vitamin D3 produced by 1-alpha-hydroxolase enzyme. 

These immune cells differ from the specific renal cells in that the active form of vitamin D3 is only used in the cell. Not released in the blood like from the tubular cells. Also their activity is not affected by parathyroid hormone. 1 Whereas the mitochondria of specific renal proximal tubular cells that produce the active form of vitamin D3 are affected by parathyroid hormone (PTH) among other factors. 2 

They produce the active form of vitamin D3 distributed in blood. The form used hormonal activity concerning calcium metabolism. So, when vitamin D3 deficient the immune systems main ability to fight infections is compromised. 

Essentially it goes from 20-20 vision to 20-200. Where it could accurately differentiate antigens to now having a lessened ability to do so. What I write next I don’t want to go too far in the woods as they say. Vitamin D3 is critical modulator to the immune system. 

It down regulates immune cells to produce less pro-inflammatory agents. So, for one less inflammation. Think blind lashing out at the infectious agent. Vitamin D3 effects dendritic cells that present antigens to T cells. 3,4 

The immature DC cells present antigens from the body which prevents autoimmune diseases. Mature DC cells present them foreign antigens to protect us from infections and cancer. So, for one to stave off infections the body uses what it has. As without adequate much less optimal blood vitamin D3 levels bad things can happen.

Getting back to the young and vitamin D3 deficient their body’s immune system recognizes there are foreign proteins present in the body, the vaccine viruses. That is why vaccines are given. They introduced part of the infectious agent, foreign antigens to illicit an immune reaction. 

This is to avoid exposing the person to the intact fully active foreign agent. In what is hoped to be an controlled immune reaction such that next time the body is exposed to these same foreign proteins it results in a more aggressive immune response. That way the person develops immunity to as in this case the vaccine virus(es) and prevents full infection. 

However, in some cases due to both young age and due to inadequate vitamin D3 blood levels the body’s immune system cannot accurately recognize and attack. Regnize and attack these foreign antigens with the body’s primary immune response nor accurately distinguish these foreign antigens well enough from normal ones. 

Thus, it cannot produce precise antibodies that could accurately distinguish these foreign proteins from those in its body. If the immune system did create inaccurate antibodies it risks initiating autoimmune disease. 

Diseases like type I diabetes are such cases in those whose genetics result in beta cells with proteins similar enough to viral ones. Thus, as in most the immune system is programed not to create antibodies that could cause an autoimmune response. 

So, it opts to or must do what will cause the least harm but highest probability to eradicate these foreign proteins, in MMR’s case these introduced viruses, from the body. Unfortunately, this last resort effort to heal the body is by initiating a high fever.

  1. Wu S., Ren S, Nguyen L, et al. (July,2007). Splice variants of the CYP27b1 gene and the regulation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 production. Endocrinology. 148(7):3410-8.
  2. Wang Y., Zhu J., Deluca H. F. (2014) The vitamin D receptor in the proximal tubule is a key regulator of serum 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Amer Journal Physiology-Endocrinology and metabolism 308 (3) E201-E205.
  3. Aranow C. (August 1, 2012) Vitamin D and the immune response. J investing Med. 59(6): 881-886.
  4. Liu PT, Stenger S, Li H, et al. (March 24, 2006) Toll-like triggering of the vitamin D-mediated human antimicrobial response. Science. 311(5768): 1770-1773.

*The information posted above is for educational purposes only. Always check with your doctor before initiating any changes in your medical treatment. If you do not, then The Two-Minute Health Fact, Dr. Judson Somerville, nor The Optimal Dose is responsible!


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