Abstract
(1) Background: In the healthy ageing, NK cell number is not modified; however, their spontaneous cytotoxicity decreases. We postulated that the age-dependent decline in metabolic activities might be responsible for this effect. (2) Methods: The fatty acid profile of 30 healthy young males (23 ± 4 years old, BMI 22.1 ± 1.3) and 30 older males (63 ± 5 years old, BMI 22.9 ± 2.5) donors were evaluated along with the expression of killing (KR) and inhibitory NK receptors (KIR) at basal level and after cultivation with fatty acids for 24 h. (3) Results: Significantly higher levels of oleic (p < 0.01), arachidonic (p < 0.001), lignoceric (p < 0.001), and nervonic acids (p < 0.0001) and significantly lower levels of docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (p < 0.01) were found in elders as compared to young adults. At basal levels, significant (p < 0.005) differences in KR and KIR expression were encountered; 12/16 antigens. Treatment of cells with saturated fatty acids or arachidonic acid (AA) significantly enhanced KR expressions (p < 0.001). AA treatment decreased inhibitory KIR expression while docosahexaenoic, and eicosapentaenoic acid increased them. (4) Conclusions: Changes in fatty acids blood levels, and KR and KIR expression in NK cell, are age-dependent. Supplementation of NK cells with eicosapentaenoic or docosahexaenoic acid enhanced inhibitory KIR receptors’ expression which may improve their cell function.
Highlights
NK cells are a subpopulation of lymphocytes different from T cells that are involved in innate and adaptive immune responses (1)
The present study aimed to investigate the differences between the most relevant fatty acids in healthy ageing, comparing healthy elders to healthy young adults of the same gender not involving possible hormonal effect
A significant decrease in docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid levels was recorded as compared to healthy young adults
Summary
NK cells are a subpopulation of lymphocytes different from T cells that are involved in innate and adaptive immune responses (1). Their main characteristic, aside from the lack of CD3, is the expression of NCAM (CD56) and FcγRIII (CD16). These cells are involved in immune surveillance of cancer and infectious diseases, tolerogenic pregnancy, and several acute and chronic diseases [1–3]. Different subpopulations, based upon CD56 and CD16 expression, have been described [1–3]. These subpopulations seem to be modulated depending on antigens, cytokines and tissue milieu [1–3].
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