Vitamin D Activates Immune Response to TB

A new study shows that vitamin D is needed to activate the immune system’s response to tuberculosis (TB). Published in Science Translational Medicine, the study shows that vitamin D is necessary for the T cells, which respond to threats as part of the body’s adaptive immune system, to produce a protein called interferon that directs cells to attack the bacteria. Previous studies by the same research team found that vitamin D played a key role in producing a molecule called cathelicidin, which helps the innate immune system kill the TB virus. “At a time when drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis are emerging, understanding how to enhance natural innate and acquired immunity through vitamin D may be very helpful,” says Barry Bloom, former dean of the faculty at the Harvard School of Public Health and co-author of the study.

The findings could lead to new treatments for the lung disease that kills 1.8 million people per year. They also could be crucial to treat the disease in parts of the world like Africa, since people with dark skin tend to be more susceptible to TB and also are more likely to have vitamin D deficiencies.