Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid suppress Th2 cytokine expression in RBL-2H3 basophilic leukemia cells

J Med Food. 2014 Feb;17(2):198-205. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2013.2935. Epub 2014 Jan 24.

Abstract

It is known that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is beneficial for preventing and/or treating allergic diseases. The pathogenesis of allergic diseases is associated with overactivation of Th2-skewed immunity. Basophils generate large amounts of Th2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, which are critically involved in allergic inflammation. We investigated how EPA and DHA affect Th2 cytokine expression in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate- and ionomycin (PI)-activated RBL-2H3 basophilic leukemia cells. EPA and DHA induced a dramatic decrease in the production of IL-4 and IL-13 and their transcription in a dose-dependent manner. Luciferase assays of RBL-2H3 cells stably expressing Il4 and Il13 promoter-reporter plasmids demonstrated a significant suppression of PI-induced promoter activation. Analysis of certain transcription factors revealed that nuclear expression of c-Fos and the mRNA expression were suppressed by EPA and DHA. Furthermore, they significantly inhibited the nuclear expression and translocation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT)1. In contrast, the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), GATA-binding proteins (GATAs), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) were not significantly affected by EPA and DHA. Phosphorylation of extracellular signal-related kinase was inhibited by EPA and DHA, and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was decreased by DHA, but not by EPA. Taken together, our data suggest that EPA and DHA may suppress Th2-skewed allergic immune responses by inhibiting the expression of basophilic IL-4 and IL-13.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-13 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-13 / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics*
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Leukemia, Basophilic, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Basophilic, Acute / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Basophilic, Acute / immunology
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / immunology
  • Th2 Cells / drug effects*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-13
  • NF-kappa B
  • Interleukin-4
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid