Regulation of Immune Stroma Cells by Modulating Lipid Metabolism

Abstract

Fatty acids are important nutrients for various biological reactions. Recent epidemiological evidence suggests that dietary consumption of some PUFAs such as DHA and EPA may modify the risk for certain immune disorders. However, the molecular basis of their actions is still to be clarified. Since long chain fatty acids are hydrophobic molecules, they are solubilized and transported within the cells to exert their cellular functions by specific intracellular lipid binding proteins, the low molecular mass polypeptides of termed fatty acid binding proteins（FABPs）．In this review, we describe the expression and the function of FABPs in immune stroma cells. Stromal cells are important part of immune organs. Recent studies show that fibroblastic reticular cell（FRCs）have important roles in lymph node T cell area. We found that FABP7 is localized in T cell area FRCs and regulates T cell homeostasis in lymph nodes and the spleen. In the liver, FABP7 localizes in Kupffer cells（KCs）and involves in the liver injury process through its regulation of KC phagocytic activity and cytokine production. Our data indicate that FAPBs regulate self defense mechanisms and may be involved in immune homeostasis, possibly by modulating lipid metabolism in stroma cells.