Vitamin D and the skin: an ancient friend, revisited

Vitamin D and the skin: an ancient friend, revisited

Research Summary


Most vertebrates need vitamin D to develop and maintain a healthy mineralized skeleton. However, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], the biologically active vitamin D metabolite, exerts a multitude of important physiological effects independent of the regulation of calcium and bone metabolism. Today, it is known that the skin has a unique role in the human body's vitamin D endocrine system. It is the only site of vitamin D photosynthesis, playing a central role in maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels.

Additionally, the skin has the capacity to synthesize the biologically active vitamin D metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3 and serves as an important target tissue for this compound. In keratinocytes and other cell types, 1,25(OH)2D3 regulates growth and differentiation. As a result, vitamin D analogues have been introduced for treating the hyperproliferative skin disease psoriasis. Recently, sebocytes were identified as 1,25(OH)2D3-responsive target cells, suggesting that vitamin D analogues may be effective in treating acne.

Other emerging functions of vitamin D analogues include significant effects on the immune system, as well as protection against cancer and other diseases, including autoimmune and infectious diseases. It can be speculated that continued research into the biological effects of vitamin D analogues will lead to new therapeutic applications. Besides cancer prevention, these may include the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory skin diseases.

Moreover, it is anticipated that dermatological recommendations on sun protection and health campaigns for skin cancer prevention will need to be re-evaluated to ensure sufficient vitamin D status.

Keywords: cancer, cutaneous vitamin D endocrine system, inflammatory skin diseases, skin, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency.

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