Fig. 1: Gene Expression controlled by the vitamin D receptor in CD4+ T cells.
From: Role of the T cell vitamin D receptor in severe COVID-19
In the setting of low vitamin D, Chauss et al.5 show that human CD4+ T cells have increased expression of type 1 (IFNG) and type 17 genes, with reduced levels of IL-6R and IL-10. Vitamin D increases STAT3, BACH2 and JUN to increase IL-6R (reinforcing STAT3 activation) and IL-10, which may be critical in converting pro-inflammatory TH1 cells to ones that are critical in resolving type 1 inflammation in the setting of severe COVID-19.
