It has been a little more than 20 years since the first appreciation that the biologically active hormonal form of the secosteroid vitamin D-classically categorized as a regulator of calcium/phosphorous metabolism and bone mineralization-can exert effects on cells of the immune system. Since then a substantial literature has accumulated to suggest that these effects are exerted on multiple immune cell types, are predominantly suppressive at pharmacologic levels, and are potent enough to have true therapeutic potential in the management or prevention of immune-mediated diseases. Less clear at present, however, are the physiological roles played by the vitamin D endocrine system in the regulation of normal and abnormal immune responses. In this review, an appraisal of the current understanding of vitamin D-mediated immune regulation is presented that emphasizes progress towards its clinical application as well as the manner in which emerging models of normal immune function may facilitate a more complete understanding of its physiologic significance.

中文翻译：

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维生素D及其类似物可作为免疫激活和抗原呈递的调节剂。

自从第一次认识以来，已将类固醇维生素D的生物活性激素形式经典地归类为钙/磷代谢和骨矿化的调节剂，可以对免疫系统的细胞产生影响，距现在已有20年多的时间。从那以后，大量文献表明这些作用可作用于多种免疫细胞类型，在药理学水平上具有显着抑制作用，并且效力足以在治疗或预防免疫介导的疾病中具有真正的治疗潜力。但是，目前尚不清楚维生素D内分泌系统在调节正常和异常免疫反应中的生理作用。在这篇评论中