Vitamin D's role in cell proliferation and differentiation

Abstract

Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects that go beyond its traditional role in calcium homeostasis.

Hundreds of genes with vitamin D receptor response elements directly or indirectly influence cell cycling and proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis.

Vitamin D compounds also have effects on cell function that are nongenomic.

The noncalcemic actions of vitamin D influence normal and pathological cell growth, carcinogenesis, immune function, and cardiovascular physiology.

This review examines many of the various mechanisms by which vitamin D alters cellular growth and differentiation and explores cell-specific factors that influence responsiveness to vitamin D.

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