title: Mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of n-3 PUFA.
abstract: The enrichment of immune cell membranes with n-3 PUFA is associated with modulation of immune function. The degree of incorporation of n-3 PUFA (and therefore the impact of dietary n-3 PUFA on immune function) appears to depend on a number of factors including species and age. The mechanisms involved are still largely unclear, but recent work has focused on two areas; lipid rafts and eicosanoids. In vitro studies suggest that lipid rafts could play a role in the immunomodulatory effects of n-3 PUFA, but there is still little information regarding the extent to which membrane microdomains in human lymphocytes are modulated by dietary supplementation. The enrichment of cell membranes with n-3 PUFA also modulates the production of eicosanoids, the full extent of which has not yet been realized; this represents a key area for future research.
authors.affiliation: Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, and Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, The University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AP, UK. P.Yaqoob@reading.ac.uk
authors.forename: Parveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yaqoob
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015777:Eicosanoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015777:Eicosanoids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007155:Immunologic Factors