Modulatory role of vitamins A, B3, C, D, and E on skin health, immunity, microbiome, and diseases

Abstract

Disruption of the skin barrier and immunity has been associated with several skin diseases, namely atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, and acne. Resident and non-resident immune cells and the barrier system of the skin are integral to innate immunity. Recent advances in understanding skin microbiota have opened the scope of further understanding the various communications between these microbiota and skin immune cells. Vitamins, being one of the important micronutrients, have been reported to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects. The immunomodulatory action of vitamins can halt the progression of skin diseases, and thus, understanding the immuno-pharmacology of these vitamins, especially for skin diseases can pave the way for their therapeutic potential. At the same time, molecular and cellular markers modulated with these vitamins and their derivatives need to be explored. The present review is focused on significant vitamins (vitamins A, B3, C, D, and E) consumed as nutritional supplements to discuss the outcomes and scope of studies related to skin immunity, health, and diseases.

Keywords: Immunity; Microbiome; Skin diseases; Vitamins.

Fig. 1

a Major pathways involved in the modulation of skin immunity by vitamin A [26]. b ATRA (All-trans-retinoic acid) downregulates the overexpressed TLRs activated by pathogenic bacteria and thereby inhibiting the release of cytokines, hence contributing to the anti-inflammatory effect, c vitamin A inhibits mast cell proliferation initiated by microbial products and thereby halts the process of IgE and TLR receptor activation with impaired release of cytokines and subsequently impedes inflammation. TLR Toll-like receptors, IgE immunoglobulin E

Fig. 2

Vitamin A enhances the expression of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) which are produced in response to skin bacteria along with keratinocytes and promotes host immunity. Vitamin A also activates Resistin-like molecule α (RELM-α) and Resistin (RETN) which in turn decreases the load of pathogenic bacteria

Fig. 3

a Role of vitamin C in the maintenance of skin health; b role of vitamin C (Vit C) in collagen stabilization. The accumulation of Vit C in the dermis and epidermis takes place through sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCT) which is then responsible for serving as a co-factor for propyl and lysyl hydrolases to stabilize collagen [78]; c Role of vitamin C in the regulation of ceramide levels. Vitamin C acts as a co-factor in the synthesis of ceramide by the conversion of ceramide synthase into ceramide. Ceramide enhances the level of barrier lipids and plays an important role in maintaining the structure and permeability barrier function of the skin. d Role of vitamin C in the three stages of wound healing

Fig. 4

Anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties of Vitamin E in maintaining skin health