Human peripheral blood T lymphocyte proliferation after activation of the T cell receptor: effects of unsaturated fatty acids.
Oils enriched in certain polyunsaturated fatty acids suppress joint pain and swelling in rheumatoid arthritis patients with active synovitis. Because T lymphocyte activation is important for propagation of joint tissue injury in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, we examined the effects of fatty acids added in vitro on proliferation of human T lymphocytes stimulated with monoclonal antibodies to CD3 and CD4. Unsaturated fatty acids reduced T cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner (dihomogammalinolenic acid > gammalinolenic acid > eicosapentaenoic acid > arachidonic acid). Removal of fatty acids from cultures before cell stimulation did not change the effects, but addition of fatty acids after cell stimulation failed to reduce T cell responses. The saturated palmitic acid did not influence T cell growth. These studies indicate that small changes in cellular fatty acids can have profound effects on early events in T cell signaling and on T cell function.
Zurier
R B
RB
Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655-0335, USA.
Rossetti
R G
RG
Seiler
C M
CM
Laposata
M
M
D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D015126:8,11,14-Eicosatrienoic Acid