A Lipid Road to Neuroimmunology: Fatty Acids Linking Immune and Nervous Systems

Neuroimmunology focuses on the two-way communication between the nervous and immune systems, a crucial relationship that maintains the body's internal balance. Disruptions in this neural-immune axis are associated with several disorders.

Fatty acids, as bioactive molecules, can modulate both neural and immune functions. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have opposite effects: SFAs promote inflammation and are associated with neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment, whereas PUFAs exhibit anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. The balance between SFAs and PUFAs is key in regulating neuroimmune interactions.

Fatty acid receptors act as essential molecular sensors, connecting lipid signaling to both immune and neural outcomes, and their activation or inhibition influences cytokine production and neuron survival. Due to their role in these pathways, targeting fatty acid interactions to control inflammation and promote neural repair represents a promising strategy for neurological disease therapies. This review examines how fatty acids influence neuroimmune cells and may pave the way for the development of new therapeutic approaches.