Vitamin D and the Ability to Produce 1,25(OH)2D Are Critical for Protection from Viral Infection of the Lungs
, Devanshi R. Patel 1,†, McKayla J. Nicol 1,†, Cassandra J. Field 1,†, Katherine H. Restori 1, Jinpeng Wang 1, Nicole E. Froelich 1, Bhuvana Katkere 1, Josey A. Terwilliger 1, Veronika Weaver 1, Erin Luley 2, Kathleen Kelly 2, Girish S. Kirimanjeswara 1, Troy C. Sutton 1,* and Margherita T. Cantorna 1,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
As the authors note, cause and effect are extremely difficult to determine in human studies. Accordingly, the authors we sought to evaluate the effects of vitamin D on the lung anti-viral response in animal models. This is especially important given the potential for reverse causality in human virus study. For example, a disease like C-19 may actually lower Vit-D levels rather than the opposite direction. Also, animal studies are not prone to confounding factors such as corticosteroid use (see PMID:35440302). Overall, this is a rigorous and well-written manuscript. My comments are mostly minor.
1) While some sample size information is provided in the figure legends, this also should be explicitly stated in the methods section.
2) A few sentences summarizing the limitations of the study should be provided in the discussion section.
3) In the legends of Figures 1 and 3, “Log-rank (Mankel-Cox)” should be “Log-rank (Mantel-Cox)”.
Author Response
1) While some sample size information is provided in the figure legends, this also should be explicitly stated in the methods section. RESPONSE: We have gone through the methods to add the sample size.
2) A few sentences summarizing the limitations of the study should be provided in the discussion section.RESPONSE: We have added a paragraph that discusses the limitations of the study.
3) In the legends of Figures 1 and 3, “Log-rank (Mankel-Cox)” should be “Log-rank (Mantel-Cox)”. RESPONSE: We have corrected our error, thank you for pointing it out.
Reviewer 2 Report
Dear Authors,
I read paper titled:
Vitamin D and the ability to produce 1,25 (OH) 2D are critical for protection from viral infection of the lungs.
The article is extremely interesting and brings a series of information to the literature. I recommend the following:
1. In Figure 1 - please enter a more detailed description. It is easier for readers to understand. Also, for Fig1 (E) please describe in more detail
2. Such a recommendation for Figure 2 and 5
3. The discussion subchapter is too short. I recommend detailing and exemplifying other studies in the field, comparing other results with yours. I also recommend a more comprehensive description of the possible clinical impact.
4. I recommend, in the Discussion Chapter, to introduce examples of clinical studies and possible influences on the clinical prognosis.
BR
Author Response
- In Figure 1 - please enter a more detailed description. It is easier for readers to understand. Also, for Fig1 (E) please describe in more detail. RESPONSE: We have added a more detailed description to the figure legend.
- Such a recommendation for Figure 2 and 5. RESPONSE: We have added a more detailed description to the figure legend.
- The discussion subchapter is too short. I recommend detailing and exemplifying other studies in the field, comparing other results with yours. I also recommend a more comprehensive description of the possible clinical impact. RESPONSE: We have added additional discussion that we hope does a better job of discussing the results in the field.
- I recommend, in the Discussion Chapter, to introduce examples of clinical studies and possible influences on the clinical prognosis. RESPONSE: We have added discussion about the implications for clinical studies.
