Abstract
Alterations on the immune system caused by omega-3 fatty acids have been described for 30 years. This family of polyunsaturated fatty acids exerts major alterations on the activation of cells from both the innate and the adaptive immune system, although the mechanisms for such regulation are diverse. First, as a constitutive part of the cellular membrane, omega-3 fatty acids can regulate cellular membrane properties, such as membrane fluidity or complex assembly in lipid rafts. In recent years, however, a new role for omega-3 fatty acids and their derivatives as signaling molecules has emerged. In this review, we describe the latest findings describing the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on different cells from the immune system and their possible molecular mechanisms.
Highlights
The immune system is a defense system that protects organisms from invading pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria
From all the immune cells investigated to date, none of them has been found to be inert to dietary omega-3 fatty acids
ALA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) exert an inhibitory effect on the activation of immune cells from both the innate and the adaptive branch
Summary
The immune system is a defense system that protects organisms from invading pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria. Cells from the innate immune system, namely macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mast cells, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells, are the first cellular line of defense. Their mode of action is generally fast but with limited specificity. Coordination of the different immune cells and regulation of their activity is of crucial importance for mounting an effective immune defense. The impact of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on the immune system has been investigated for decades, with special focus on the omega-3 PUFAs α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
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