Polyunsaturated fatty acids and T-cell function: implications for the neonate.
Infant survival depends on the ability to respond effectively and appropriately to environmental challenges. Infants are born with a degree of immunological immaturity that renders them susceptible to infection and abnormal dietary responses (allergies). T-lymphocyte function is poorly developed at birth. The reduced ability of infants to respond to mitogens may be the result of the low number of CD45RO+ (memory/antigen-primed) T cells in the infant or the limited ability to produce cytokines [particularly interferon-y, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10. There have been many important changes in optimizing breast milk substitutes for infants; however, few have been directed at replacing factors in breast milk that convey immune benefits. Recent research has been directed at the neurological, retinal, and membrane benefits of adding 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid; AA) and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid; DHA) to infant formula. In adults and animals, feeding DHA affects T-cell function. However, the effect of these lipids on the development and function of the infant's immune system is not known. We recently reported the effect of adding DHA + AA to a standard infant formula on several functional indices of immune development. Compared with standard formula, feeding a formula containing DHA + AA increased the proportion of antigen mature (CD45RO+) CD4+ cells, improved IL-10 production, and reduced IL-2 production to levels not different from those of human milk-fed infants. This review will briefly describe T-cell development and the potential immune effect of feeding long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to the neonate.
Field
C J
CJ
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Catherine.Field@ualberta.ca
Clandinin
M T
MT
Van Aerde
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated