# Vitamin D fluctuations and the mucosal immune response

> **NIH NIH R01** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE · 2020 · $240,750

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Vitamin D supplements have been suggested as being useful in high doses for preventing and treating
severe disease associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (i.e. COVID-19). Vitamin D status has been shown
to be low in patients with acute respiratory infections. Unfortunately, it is yet unclear whether those
associations are causal. Currently, the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D in the lung are not
completely understood. In addition, there is not data that demonstrates that vitamin D or the active form
of vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D, 1,25D) is effective for improving outcomes following a viral infection.
The effects and timing of supplemental vitamin D will be tested on host resistance to SARS-CoV-2 infection
in mice and hamsters. The basic mechanisms by which vitamin D regulates the immune response
following a respiratory virus infection are critical for the safe and effective messaging for vitamin D
supplementation. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the effects of vitamin D in the lung is needed
to provide responsible guidance on whether it is safe and effective to supplement individuals with high
amounts of vitamin D to protect from COVID-19 disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10225075
- **Project number:** 3R01AT005378-10S1
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, THE
- **Principal Investigator:** MARGHERITA T CANTORNA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $240,750
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2009-08-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10225075

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10225075, Vitamin D fluctuations and the mucosal immune response (3R01AT005378-10S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10225075. Licensed CC0.

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