title: Th1 and Th2 chemokines, vaccine-induced immunity, and allergic disease in infants after maternal ω-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy and lactation.
abstract: We investigated whether the previously reported preventive effect of maternal ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on IgE-associated allergic disease in infancy may be mediated by facilitating a balanced circulating Th2/Th1 chemokine profile in the infant. Vaccine-induced immune responses at 2 y of age were also evaluated. Pregnant women, at risk of having an allergic infant, were randomized to daily supplementation with 1.6 g eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.1 g docosahexaenoic acid or placebo from the 25th gestational week through 3.5 mo of breastfeeding. Infant plasma was analyzed for chemokines (cord blood, 3, 12, 24 mo) and anti-tetanus and anti-diphtheria IgG (24 mo). High Th2-associated CC-chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17) levels were associated with infant allergic disease (p < 0.05). In infants without, but not with, maternal history of allergy, the ω-3 supplementation was related to lower CCL17/CXC-chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL11) (Th2/Th1) ratios (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in nonallergic, but not in allergic infants, ω-3 supplementation was linked with higher Th1-associated CXCL11 levels (p < 0.05), as well as increased IgG titers to diphtheria (p = 0.01) and tetanus (p = 0.05) toxins. Thus, the prospect of balancing the infant immune system toward a less Th2-dominated response, by maternal ω-3 fatty acid supplementation, seems to be influenced by allergic status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, 581 85 Linköping, Sweden. catrin.furuhjelm@telia.com
authors.forename: Catrin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Furuhjelm
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Jenmalm
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fälth-Magnusson
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duchén
mesh_terms: D018925:Chemokines / Q000276:immunology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007223:Infant; D007774:Lactation; D009035:Mothers; D010919:Placebos; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D018925:Chemokines; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D010919:Placebos; D014612:Vaccines