14 DAY TRIAL // Primates and humans have been recently proven to have yet another thing in common, that is an immune system component that was apparently so effective at doing its job that it was retained in bodies for 60 million years, long before we separated from apes through evolution. This amazing ability is the production of anti-bactericidal, protein-controlling vitamin D, which cannot be found in species other than primates in the world, ScienceDaily reports.
Vitamin D was found a long time ago to be in charge of regulating parts of the immune system, but no one suspected that its role was essential to our species' survival. It would appear that all primates, ranging from capuchin monkeys to baboons, that have this ability are entirely dependent on it, which may explain why it hasn't evolved into something else, or disappeared completely, over so many years of evolution. During this time, other traits were considerably modified, as evidenced by our internal and external differences from our evolutionary cousins.
The cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide is the most important immune system component influenced by vitamin D, but the exact mechanisms through which this happens are not entirely known. In addition to fighting pathogens and infections, the peptide also plays an important part in regulating several different biological activities in the body. The new research thus proves yet again that humans need to be extremely attentive as regards the amount of vitamin D their bodies contain. Too low ones, and we are at risk of having a weakened immune system that cannot even fight bacteria of the otherwise ineffective variety.
“The existence and importance of this part of our immune response makes it clear that humans and other primates need to maintain sufficient levels of vitamin D,” Oregon State University (OSU) Associate Professor of Biochemistry Adrian Gombart, who is also the principal investigator of the new study, warns. Official statistics show that well over 50 percent of American children and adults have alarmingly low vitamin D levels, and that the trend is going downwards, instead of the other way around. The new paper was published in the latest issue of the journal BMC Genomics.
“Many people are familiar with the role of our adaptive immune system, which is what happens when we mount a defense against a new invader and then retain antibodies and immunity in the future. That's what makes a vaccine work. But also very important is the innate immune system, the almost immediate reaction your body has, for instance, when you get a cut or a skin infection,” the expert adds.
“It's essential that we have both an innate immune response that provides an immediate and front line of defense, but we also have protection against an overreaction by the immune system, which is what you see in sepsis and some autoimmune or degenerative diseases. This is a very delicate balancing act, and without sufficient levels of vitamin D you may not have an optimal response with either aspect of the immune system,” Gombart concludes.