The role of maternal dietary Polyunsaturated fatty acids in the early development of the immune system

N. Van Vlies, A. Hogenkamp, T. Toussaint, E.C.A.M. Van Esch, G.A. Hofman, J. Garssen

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractOther research output

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are important immune modulating elements. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which play an important role in the immune response, are derived from PUFAs. Furthermore, PUFAs can alter immune cell function via various mechanisms, including the activation of transcription factors. The development of the immune system occurs mostly perinatally, and since most PUFAs are acquired from the diet, the maternal diet may influence fetal and neonatal PUFA status. To investigate the effect of w-3 and w-6 PUFAs during gestation and/ or lactation on the immune response later in life, pregnant and/or lactating BALB/c mice were fed diets varying in w- 3/w-6 PUFA ratios. After weaning, pups were transferred to a Western-style diet, and the possible immuno-modulatory effects of maternal diet were investigated using the ovalbumine (OVA)-induced model for experimental allergic asthma. Significant differences in the acute allergic skin response were observed between different diet groups and between different feeding periods, indicating a long lasting effect of the maternal diet on the immune response of the offspring. A higher level of w-3 PUFAs in the maternal diet leads to a significantly diminished acute allergic skin response, suggesting an important role for maternal w-3 PUFAs in the development of allergy.
Original languageEnglish
Pages269
Number of pages1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2009
EventFIGON Dutch Medicins Days - Lunteren, Nederland
Duration: 6 Oct 20088 Oct 2008

Conference

ConferenceFIGON Dutch Medicins Days
CityLunteren, Nederland
Period6/10/088/10/08

Keywords

  • polyunsaturated fatty acid
  • transcription factor
  • leukotriene
  • prostaglandin
  • immune system
  • diet
  • maternal nutrition
  • immune response
  • skin
  • lactation
  • mouse
  • weaning
  • model
  • allergic asthma
  • feeding
  • allergy
  • immunocompetent cell
  • cell function
  • pregnancy
  • progeny

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