Mechanisms underlying effects of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the Th17 cells.

Th17 cells, a class of CD4(+) T cells, have been identified as novel effector cells, which play a pivotal role in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), the active form of vitamin D, has emerged as a direct regulator of immune system function in humans. Accumulating reports demonstrated that 1,25(OH)2D3 possessed anti-inflammatory activity on Th17 cells to maintain immunologic homeostasis. This report will review the novel immune regulatory role of 1,25(OH)2D3 in its potential use for Th17 cell-related inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.