Abstract
Dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may represent a mode of allergy prevention. Cord blood (CB) CD34+ hemopoietic progenitors are altered in infants at risk of atopy. We therefore studied the effects of dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy on numbers and function of progenitors in neonates at high risk of atopy. In a double-blind study, atopic, pregnant women were randomized to receive fish oil capsules or placebo from 20 wk gestation until delivery. At birth, CB CD34+ cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry for expression of cytokine (IL-5Rα, IL-3Rα, granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor Rα) or chemokine (CXCR4 and CCR3) receptors. CB cells were also cultured in methylcellulose assays for eosinophil/basophil colony-forming cells. At age 1 y, infants were clinically assessed for atopic symptoms and skin tests. Percentages of CB CD34+ cell numbers were higher after n-3 PUFA than placebo. Co-expression of cytokine or chemokine receptors on CD34 cells was not altered by n-3 PUFA supplementation. However, there were significantly more IL-5-responsive CB eosinophil/basophil colony forming units (Eo/B-CFU) in the fish oil, compared with the control, group. Overall, there was a positive association between CD34+ cells and IL-5-responsive Eo/B-CFU in CB and 1 y clinical outcomes, including atopic dermatitis and wheeze. Dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy in atopic mothers alters infant cord blood hemopoietic progenitor phenotype. This may have an impact on development of atopic disease.
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Abbreviations
- AEDS:
-
atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome
- CB:
-
umbilical cord blood
- DHA:
-
docosahexaenoic acid
- Eo/B-CFU:
-
eosinophil/basophil colony forming units
- EPA:
-
eicosapentaenoic acid
- GM-CSF:
-
granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor
- MNC:
-
mononuclear cell
- NAMNC:
-
nonadherent mononuclear cell
- n-3 PUFA:
-
omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
- PE:
-
phycoerythrin
- SPT:
-
skin prick test
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the staff and volunteers who assisted with this study. We also thank the obstetricians and midwives at St. John of God Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia.
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Supported by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Raine Medical Research Foundation, Nedlands, Western Australia.
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Denburg, J., Hatfield, H., Cyr, M. et al. Fish Oil Supplementation in Pregnancy Modifies Neonatal Progenitors at Birth in Infants at Risk of Atopy. Pediatr Res 57, 276–281 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/01.PDR.0000148279.72611.1D
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/01.PDR.0000148279.72611.1D
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