Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy modifies neonatal progenitors at birth in infants at risk of atopy.
Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may represent a mode of allergy prevention. Cord blood (CB) CD34+ hemopoietic progenitors are altered in infants at risk of atopy. We therefore studied the effects of dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy on numbers and function of progenitors in neonates at high risk of atopy. In a double-blind study, atopic, pregnant women were randomized to receive fish oil capsules or placebo from 20 wk gestation until delivery. At birth, CB CD34+ cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry for expression of cytokine (IL-5Ralpha, IL-3Ralpha, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor Ralpha) or chemokine (CXCR4 and CCR3) receptors. CB cells were also cultured in methylcellulose assays for eosinophil/basophil colony-forming cells. At age 1 y, infants were clinically assessed for atopic symptoms and skin tests. Percentages of CB CD34+ cell numbers were higher after n-3 PUFA than placebo. Co-expression of cytokine or chemokine receptors on CD34 cells was not altered by n-3 PUFA supplementation. However, there were significantly more IL-5-responsive CB eosinophil/basophil colony forming units (Eo/B-CFU) in the fish oil, compared with the control, group. Overall, there was a positive association between CD34+ cells and IL-5-responsive Eo/B-CFU in CB and 1 y clinical outcomes, including atopic dermatitis and wheeze. Dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy in atopic mothers alters infant cord blood hemopoietic progenitor phenotype. This may have an impact on development of atopic disease.
Denburg
Judah A
JA
Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. denburg@mcmaster.ca
Hatfield
Holly M
HM
Cyr
Michael M
MM
Hayes
Lisa
L
Holt
Patrick G
PG
Sehmi
Roma
R
Dunstan
Janet A
JA
Prescott
Susan L
SL
D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000276:immunology; D005395:Fish Oils; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D010919:Placebos; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D016207:Cytokines; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D005395:Fish Oils; D015848:Interleukin-5; D010919:Placebos; D008747:Methylcellulose