N‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate the expression of functionally associated molecules on human monocytes and inhibit antigen presentation in vitro

N‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)‐rich diets are associated with suppression of cell‐mediated immune responses, but the mechanisms are unclear. Specific immune responses are initiated by antigen‐presenting cells (APC). We have previously shown in vitro that the n‐3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (E...

Ausführliche Beschreibung

Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Clinical and experimental immunology 1997-12, Vol.110 (3), p.516-523
Hauptverfasser: HUGHES, D. A., PINDER, A. C.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
Schlagworte:
Online-Zugang:Volltext
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:N‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)‐rich diets are associated with suppression of cell‐mediated immune responses, but the mechanisms are unclear. Specific immune responses are initiated by antigen‐presenting cells (APC). We have previously shown in vitro that the n‐3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), inhibits the expression of HLA‐DR, an MHC class II molecule required for normal APC function on human blood monocytes. In contrast, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enhanced the expression of this molecule on unstimulated monocytes, but both n‐3 PUFA suppressed its expression on interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ)‐activated monocytes. In the present study we show that when EPA and DHA were combined at the same ratio as is commonly found in fish oil supplement capsules (3:2) there was no significant effect in vitro on the expression of HLA‐DR on unstimulated monocytes, but the expression on IFN‐γ‐activated monocytes remained significantly inhibited. In the same in vitro system a significant reduction in the ability of IFN‐γ‐activated monocytes to present tetanus toxoid antigen to autologous lymphocytes was observed following culture with the combined n‐3 PUFA. These findings support previous animal studies which suggest that n‐3 PUFA can inhibit the antigen‐presenting function of mononuclear phagocytes.
ISSN:0009-9104
1365-2249
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2249.1997.4351455.x