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Review
. 2023 May 5:14:1186892.
doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1186892. eCollection 2023.

Regulation of short-chain fatty acids in the immune system

Xiao-Feng Liu  1 , Jia-Hao Shao  1 , Yi-Tao Liao  1 , Li-Ning Wang  2 , Yuan Jia  1 , Peng-Jun Dong  1 , Zhi-Zhong Liu  1 , Dan-Dan He  1 , Chao Li  3 , Xian Zhang  3
Affiliations
Review

Regulation of short-chain fatty acids in the immune system

Xiao-Feng Liu et al. Front Immunol. .

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), metabolites produced by intestinal symbiotic bacteria that ferment dietary fibers (DFs), play a crucial role in the health status of symbiotes. SCFAs act on a variety of cell types to regulate important biological processes, including host metabolism, intestinal function, and immune function. SCFAs also affect the function and fate of immune cells. This finding provides a new concept in immune metabolism and a better understanding of the regulatory role of SCFAs in the immune system, which impacts the prevention and treatment of disease. The mechanism by which SCFAs induce or regulate the immune response is becoming increasingly clear. This review summarizes the different mechanisms through which SCFAs act in cells. According to the latest research, the regulatory role of SCFAs in the innate immune system, including in NLRP3 inflammasomes, receptors of TLR family members, neutrophils, macrophages, natural killer cells, eosinophils, basophils and innate lymphocyte subsets, is emphasized. The regulatory role of SCFAs in the adaptive immune system, including in T-cell subsets, B cells, and plasma cells, is also highlighted. In addition, we discuss the role that SCFAs play in regulating allergic airway inflammation, colitis, and osteoporosis by influencing the immune system. These findings provide evidence for determining treatment options based on metabolic regulation.

Keywords: G-protein-coupled receptor; adaptive immunity; histone deacetylase; innate immunity; short-chain fatty acid.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
SCFAs influence the immune response by a variety of signalling pathways, including epigenetic inheritance in cells (56, 66, 67).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effects of SCFAs on ILCs (, –138, 140, 141).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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