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Vitamin D and polymorphisms of VDR gene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Clinical Rheumatology volume 31, pages 1411–1421 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

The susceptibility for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is related to environmental, hormonal, genetic, and immunological factors. Numerous genes have been linked to the emergence of SLE, including vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene that synthesizes the receptor of vitamin D. Several polymorphisms have been described since the discovery of this gene, and their effects on VDR activity are still poorly understood. Vitamin D’s biological functions are mediated by VDR. Vitamin D exerts many actions on the immune system, and several studies have suggested its role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. SLE patients have low blood levels of vitamin D, which raises the possibility of association between the deficiency of this vitamin and the onset of the disease. BsmI and FokI polymorphic variants seem to be related to the onset of the disease in Asian patients. In this article, we review the aspects related to the metabolism and immunoregulatory effects of vitamin D, VDR, and main polymorphisms involving the VDR gene and the relationship between vitamin D levels and its receptor with SLE.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa e Eventos of the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.

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Affiliations

  1. Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350—Largo Eduardo Zaccaro Faraco, Sala 645, 6º andar, Porto Alegre, 90035-903, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    Odirlei André Monticielo, Thaisa de Mattos Teixeira, João Carlos Tavares Brenol & Ricardo Machado Xavier

  2. Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9500—Agronomia, laboratório 212, prédio 43323, Porto Alegre, 91501-970, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

    José Artur Bogo Chies

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  1. Odirlei André Monticielo
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Correspondence to Odirlei André Monticielo.

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Monticielo, O.A., Teixeira, T.d.M., Chies, J.A.B. et al. Vitamin D and polymorphisms of VDR gene in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Clin Rheumatol 31, 1411–1421 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-012-2021-5

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Keywords

  • 25-Hydroxyvitamin D
  • Genetics and immunology
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • VDR gene polymorphisms
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D receptor