Fatty acids as modulators of neutrophil recruitment, function and survival

Abstract

Neutrophils are well-known to act in the destruction of invading microorganisms. They have also been implicated in the activation of other immune cells including B- and T-lymphocytes and in the resolution of inflammation and tissue regeneration. Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow and released into the circulation from where they migrate to tissues to perform their effector functions. Neutrophils are in constant contact with fatty acids that can modulate their function, activation and fate (survival or cell death) through different mechanisms. In this review, the effects of fatty acids pertaining to five classes, namely, long-chain saturated fatty acids (LCSFAs), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and omega-3 (n-3), omega-6 (n-6) and omega-9 (n-9) unsaturated fatty acids, on neutrophils and the relevance of these effects for disease development are discussed.

Keywords: Acetic acid (PubChem CID 176); Butyric acid (PubChem CID 264); Cell function; Docosahexaenoic acid (PubChem CID 445580); Eicosapentaenoic acid (PubChem CID 446284); Inflammation; Linoleic acid (PubChem CID 864); Neutrophil; Oleic acid (PubChem CID 445639); Palmitic acid (PubChem CID 985); Propionic acid (PubChem CID 1032); Saturated fatty acid; Short chain fatty acids; Stearic acid (PubChem CID 5281); Unsaturared fatty acid.