title: The immunomodulatory effects of novel beta-oxa, beta-thia, and gamma-thia polyunsaturated fatty acids on human T lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production, and activation of protein kinase C and MAPKs.
abstract: We have recently demonstrated that a novel n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (beta-oxa 21:3n-3) was a more potent and more selective anti-inflammatory agent than n-3 PUFA. To gain further insights into this technology, we synthesized other novel PUFA consisting of beta-oxa, beta-thia, and gamma-thia compounds. All three types displayed anti-inflammatory activity. Each of the unsaturated beta-oxa fatty acids showed similar inhibition of PHA-PMA-induced T cell proliferation with a parallel inhibition of TNF-beta production. However, beta-oxa 25:6n-3 and beta-oxa 21:4n-3 displayed lower inhibitory action on IFN-gamma production. Surprisingly, beta-oxa 23:4n-6 and beta-oxa 21:3n-6 had marginal effect on IL-2 production. Thus, structural variation can generate selectivity for different immunological parameters. The beta-thia compounds 23:4n-6, 21:3n-6, and 21:3n-3 were highly effective in inhibiting all immunological responses. Of the two gamma-thia PUFA tested, gamma-thia 24:4n-6 was a strong inhibitor of all responses apart from IL-2, but gamma-thia 22:3n-6 had very little inhibitory effect. Two of the most active compounds, beta-thia 23:4n-6 and beta-thia 21:3n-6, were studied in more detail and shown to have an IC(50) of 1-2 muM under optimal conditions. Thus, these PUFA retain the immunosuppressive properties of the n-3 PUFAs, 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, but not the neutrophil-stimulating properties. Their action on T lymphocytes is independent of cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase activity, and they act at a postreceptor-binding level by inhibiting the activation of protein kinase C and ERK1/ERK2 kinases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunopathology, Women's and Children's Hospital, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costabile
authors.forename: Charles S T
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hii
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melino
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Easton
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrante
mesh_terms: D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D011493:Protein Kinase C