title: Exploring the Effects of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids on Allergy Using a HEK-Blue Cell Line.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic reactions can result in life-threatening situations resulting in high economic costs and morbidity. Therefore, more effective reagents are needed for allergy treatment. A causal relationship has been suggested to exist between the intake of omega-3/6 fatty acids, such as docosahexanoic acid (DHA), eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), docosapentanoic acid (DPA) and arachidonic acid (AA), and atopic individuals suffering from allergies. In allergic cascades, the hallmark cytokine IL-4 bind to IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) and IL-13 binds to IL-13 receptor (IL-13R), this activates the STAT6 phosphorylation pathway leading to gene activation of allergen-specific IgE antibody production by B cells. The overall aim of this study was to characterize omega-3/6 fatty acids and their effects on STAT6 signaling pathway that results in IgE production in allergic individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fatty acids were tested in vitro with a HEK-Blue IL-4/IL-13 reporter cell line model, transfected with a reporter gene that produces an enzyme, secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP). SEAP acts as a substitute to IgE when cells are stimulated with bioactive cytokines IL-4 and/or IL-13.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have successfully used DHA, EPA and DPA in our studies that demonstrated a decrease in SEAP secretion, as opposed to an increase in SEAP secretion with AA treatment. A statistical Student's t-test revealed the significance of the results, confirming our initial hypothesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have successfully identified and characterised DHA, EPA, DPA and AA in our allergy model. While AA was a potent stimulator, DHA, EPA and DPA were potential inhibitors of IL-4R/IL-13R signalling, which regulates the STAT6 induced pathway in allergic cascades. Such findings are significant in the future design of dietary therapeutics for the treatment of allergies.
authors: NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road,Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia. nayyar.khokhar@gmail.com.
authors: Nayyar
authors: N
authors: Ahmed
authors: Centre for Chemistry and Biotechnology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia. colin.barrow@deakin.edu.au.
authors: Colin J
authors: CJ
authors: Barrow
authors: NeuroAllergy Research Laboratory (NARL), School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment, Deakin University, 75 Pigdons Road,Waurn Ponds, VIC 3216, Australia. cenk.suphioglu@deakin.edu.au.
authors: Cenk
authors: C
authors: Suphioglu
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004041:Dietary Fats; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D014810:Vitamin E
keywords: HEK-Blue; IL-13 receptor; IL-4 receptor; IgE antibody; SEAP; STAT6 pathway; atopy; cytokines; fatty acids