The immunomodulatory and antiviral function of vitamin D

Published

2 years ago

August 4, 2023

admin

By Dr. Priyom Bose, Ph.D. Aug 4 2023 Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM

Recently, scientists reviewed the available literature to better understand vitamin D's immunomodulatory and antiviral function.

The study explores how vitamin D influences the pediatric respiratory system after acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI), such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the causal agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This review is available in Nutrients.

Study: Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D in Respiratory Tract Infections and COVID-19 in Children. Image Credit: YuliaFurman/Shutterstock.com Background

Children often develop ARTI, which accounts for 20% of all pediatric fatalities. There are two subsets of ARTI: upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).

Most URTIs are associated with viral infection caused by rhinovirus, SARS-associated coronavirus, enterovirus, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Bronchiolitis and pneumonia are the two most common LRIs in children.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children has manifested a wide range of symptoms, i.e., from asymptomatic to severe infection. Although most children with COVID-19 have been asymptomatically infected, a small number of children developed severe forms of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

A very limited amount of evidence has been documented regarding the SARS-CoV-2 disease in the pediatric population worldwide.

Vitamin D is a crucial micronutrient that is associated with immune function. It can stimulate innate immunity, reduce the production of helper T lymphocytes (type 1), and improve the proliferation of type 2 and regulatory T lymphocytes.

Furthermore, vitamin D helps decrease the pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL1, IL6, IL12, TNFα, and IL17) and interferon γ, and increase IL10 (anti-inflammatory cytokines) via NFkβ metabolic pathway. About the study

Although several studies have shown that children with vitamin D deficiency are more susceptible to ARTI, the scientific community does not fully accept this observation. Related StoriesHigher-than-recommended doses of vitamin D linked to lower risk of atrial fibrillationLong COVID risk may increase with low levels of vitamin DVitamin D supplements may reduce risk of heart attacks in older adults

This review focussed on understanding whether there is a link between ARTIs and vitamin D supplementation.

All relevant articles were obtained from PubMed. This review included all types of free articles published in English, such as clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses.

The targeted population was children under 19 years of age. This review excluded studies with small sample sizes, i.e., less than 100 participants, and non-peer-reviewed articles.

This systematic review used the Patient, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) framework.

A total of 518 citations were obtained after the initial search; however, 27 studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria and were considered in this review. Study findings

25(OH)D is the major circulating vitamin D form exhibiting antiviral properties through antimicrobial peptides. Monocytes and macrophages expressing CYP27B1 (1-α hydroxylase) enable the conversion of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Calcitriol is an active vitamin D form that is crucial in limiting pathogenic presence. Previous studies have shown that vitamin D enhances nitric oxide production, which is linked to the antioxidative effect of 25OHD. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and CYP27B1 have been detected in considerable amounts in cells and tissues.

Most studies indicated a robust association between VD status and the incidence of ARTIs, including COVID-19 infections. These studies revealed that vitamin D levels were inversely related to the severity of COVID-19.

A limited number of studies contradicted this finding and reported no correlation between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and a higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In contrast, another study demonstrated VD's prospective protective and preventative function against COVID-19. An elevation in inflammatory markers occurs when vitamin D serum concentrations decrease.

Numerous factors are associated with VD's ability to prevent ARTIs. For instance, 25 hydroxyvitamin D enhances the synthesis of natural antibodies.

In addition, it improves immunity by promoting monocyte differentiation and preventing lymphocyte production. VD also enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages. Therefore, many studies have indicated that VD intake lowers the risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A meta-analysis considered around 4786 children to determine the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in combination with antibiotics to treat pneumonia. A higher vitamin D concentration lowered the risk of recurring pneumonia.

Another study indicated that 25(OH)D concentration higher than 75.0 nmol/L significantly lowered the risk of acute pneumonia. A survey showed that 1/5 of children hospitalized due to pneumonia were VDD. Babies under three years old diagnosed with pneumonia subjected to 100,000 IU of VD3 almost eliminated the risk of recurrence.

In some cases, young patients with COVID-19 required hospitalization, and vitamin D was measured from this group without a baseline measurement. This has generated conflicting interpretations about causality.

A prior study reported reverse causality with the expression CYP24A1, which increased SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, more research is required to elucidate how VD influences COVID-19. Conclusions

Although systematic reviews and meta-analyses have indicated that a lower level of 25(OH)D enhances the risk of developing ARTI in children, the experimental findings sometimes contradict this observation.

There has been a growing consensus that serum VD should be maintained above 75 nmol/L to maintain overall health. To avoid VDI in all age groups, dietary VD intake and VD supplements have been recommended. Journal reference:

Nicolae, M. et al. (2023) "Immunomodulatory Effects of Vitamin D in Respiratory Tract Infections and COVID-19 in Children", Nutrients, 15(15), p. 3430. doi: 10.3390/nu15153430. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/15/3430

Business

UK must increase North Sea drilling to boost economy, says US ambassador

Published

1 hour ago

November 3, 2025

admin

UK must increase North Sea drilling to boost economy, says US ambassador

The US ambassador to the UK has said Britain should carry out “more drilling and more production” in the North Sea.

In his first broadcast interview in the job, Warren Stephens urged the UK to make the most of its own oil and gas reserves to cut energy costs and boost the economy.

“Electricity costs are four times ours in the UK, versus the US,” he told Mornings with Ridge and Frost.

“I want the UK economy to be as strong as it possibly can be, so the UK can be the best ally to the US that it possibly can be.

“Having a growing economy is essential to that – and the electricity costs make it very difficult.”

Mr Stephens told Wilfred Frost he hoped Britain would “examine the policies in the North Sea and frankly, make some changes to it that allows for more drilling and more production”.

“You’re using oil and gas, but you’re importing it. Why not use your own?” he asked.

The ambassador said he had held meetings with Sir Keir Starmer on the energy issue while US President Donald Trump was in the room, and that the prime minister was “absolutely” listening to the US view.

“I think there are members of the government that are listening,” Mr Stephens told Sky News. “There is a little bit of movement to make changes on the policy and I’ll hope that will continue.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said the UK should be prioritising net zero by 2030 to limit climate change, rather than issuing new oil and gas drilling licences.

However, the ambassador said it would take “all energy for all countries to compete” in the future, given the huge power demands of data centres and AI.

“I don’t think Ed Miliband is necessarily wrong,” said Mr Stephens. “But I think it’s an incorrect policy to ignore your fossil fuel reserves, both in the North Sea and onshore.”

The ambassador hosted Mr Trump on the first night of his second UK state visit in September – a trip that was seen as a success by both sides.

Mr Stephens said Mr Trump and Sir Keir had a “great relationship” and pointed to the historic ties between Britain and the US as a major factor in June’s trade deal and the favourable tariff rate on the UK.

“The president really loves this country,” the ambassador told Sky News.

“I don’t think it’s coincidental that the tariff rates on the UK are generally a third, or at worst half, of what a lot of other countries are facing.

“I think the prime minister and his team did a great job of positioning the United Kingdom to be the first trade deal, but also the best one that’s been struck.”

Mr Stephens – who began his job in London in May – also touched on the Ukraine war and said Mr Trump’s patience with Russia was “wearing thin”.

The Alaska summit between Mr Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough, and the US leader has admitted the Russian president may be “playing” him so he can continue the fighting.

The ambassador told Sky News he had always favoured a tough stance on Russia and was “delighted” when Mr Trump sanctioned Russia’s two biggest oil firms a few weeks ago.

However, he emphasised the president’s call that other countries must stop buying Russian energy to really tighten the screw.

‘The incorrect policy’ – That’s Trumpian diplomacy for you

“You’re using oil and gas, but you’re importing it. Why not use your own?”

It’s a reasonable question for President Trump’s top representative here in the UK – ambassador Warren Stephens – to ask, particularly given that our exclusive interview was taking place in the UK’s oil capital, Aberdeen.

The ambassador told me that he and President Trump have repeatedly lobbied Prime Minister Starmer on the topic, and somewhat strikingly said the PM was “absolutely listening”, adding: “I think there are certainly members of the government that are listening. And there is a little bit of movement to make some changes to the policy.”

Well, one member of the government who is seemingly not listening, and happens to be spending most of this week at the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil, is Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

“It’s going to take all energy for all countries to compete in the 21st century for AI and data centres,” the ambassador told me. “And so, I don’t think Ed Miliband is necessarily wrong, but I think it’s an incorrect policy to ignore your fossil fuel reserves, both in the North Sea and onshore.”

Not wrong, but the incorrect policy. That’s Trumpian diplomacy for you.

His comments on Russia, China and free speech were also fascinating. On the latter, he said that in the US someone might get “cancelled for saying something, but they’re not going to get arrested.”

“The president, has been, I would say, careful in ramping up pressure on Russia. But I think his patience is wearing out,” said Mr Stephens.

“One of the problems is a lot of European countries still depend on Russian gas,” he added.

“We’re mindful of that. We understand that, but until we can really cut off their ability to sell oil and gas around the world, they’re going to have money and Putin seems intent on continuing the war.”

The ambassador also struck a cautious but hopeful tone on future US and UK relations with China.

It comes after Mr Trump said his meeting this week with President Xi Jinping was a “12/10”, raising hopes the trade war between the superpowers could be simmering down.

China’s huge economy is too big to ignore – but it remains a major spy threat; the head of MI5 warned last month of an increase in “state threat activity” from Beijing (as well as Russia and Iran).

Mr Stephens praised the country’s economy and said it would be “terrific” if China could one day be considered a partner.

But he warned “impatient” China is ruthlessly focused on itself only, and would like to see the US and the West weakened.

“There’s certainly things we want to be able to do with China,” added the ambassador.

“And I know the UK wants to do things with China. The United States does, too – and we should. But I think we always need to keep in the back of our mind that China does not have our interests at heart.”

:: Watch Mornings with Ridge and Frost on weekdays Monday to Thursday, from 7am to 10am on Sky News

Politics

Trump defends CZ pardon, says he ‘doesn’t know’ Binance co-founder

Published

1 hour ago

November 3, 2025

admin

Trump defends CZ pardon, says he ‘doesn’t know’ Binance co-founder

Trump again denied ties to Binance co-founder CZ amid reports that the exchange helped facilitate a $2 billion stablecoin deal linked to his World Liberty Financial platform.

Technology

Standard Chartered CEO expects blockchain to ‘eventually’ power nearly all global transactions

Published

2 hours ago

November 3, 2025

admin

Standard Chartered CEO expects blockchain to ‘eventually’ power nearly all global transactions

Standard Chartered Plc bank branch in Hong Kong

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered, foresees a future in which nearly all global transactions are conducted on a digital blockchain ledger, he told a crowd in Hong Kong on Monday, as crypto adoption amongst mainstream banking and finance institutions grows.

“Our belief, which I think is shared by the leadership of Hong Kong, is that pretty much all transactions will settle on blockchains eventually, and that all money will be digital,” the UK-based multinational bank’s CEO said during a panel at Hong Kong FinTech Week.

“Think about what that means: a complete rewiring of the financial system,” he said, adding that experimentation is required to determine what that rewiring looks like.

Standard Chartered — which is listed in both London and Hong Kong — has been ramping up its involvement with digital assets in recent years, including through digital asset custody services, trading platforms, and tokenized products.

Winters made the comments while discussing Hong Kong’s role in the global digital assets space, crediting the city for leadership on experimentation and regulation, alongside Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan.

Hong Kong has been working to establish itself as a regional crypto hub through a digital asset licensing regime, as well as tokenization pilots in which Standard Chartered is a participant.

A tokenized asset is a digital representation of a real-world asset, like stocks, bonds, or commodities, that can be recorded and traded on a blockchain or distributed ledger. Stablecoins, which are pegged to a currency, are often held up as an early example of a tradable tokenized asset.

Standard Chartered, in partnership with blockchain venture capital firm Animoca Brands and telecommunications company HKT, is planning to launch a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin under a new regulatory framework the city launched in August.

Winters said Monday he believed that Hong Kong dollar stablecoins can represent an interesting new medium of exchange for international trade on digital terms.

Other global fintech leaders have also made bullish predictions for tokenized assets in recent months.

Robinhood Markets CEO Vlad Tenev said last month that tokenization was a “freight train,” coming to most major markets in the next five years.

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, the world’s largest money manager, said in April that every asset from stocks to bonds to real estate can be tokenized in what will represent a “revolution” for investing.