Research recently published in Nature has uncovered new insights into how diet and obesity influence immune function, cancer risk and vaccine response.
The Australian study, led by Professor Di Yu at the Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland and co-authored by GMR Research Director, Professor Darrell Crawford alongside GMR liver disease researchers, Dr Kim Bridle and Dr Xiaowen (Tina) Liang, highlights how dietary fats can directly affect immune cell performance via a process called ferroptosis.
Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death that plays a critical role in immune system response, and ferroptosis resistance (the ability of cells to evade ferroptosis) appears to improve how effectively these immune cells respond to vaccines and even cancer.
Using pre-clinical models, researchers found that ferroptosis resistance in immune cells was strongly influenced by diet composition. Diets higher in monounsaturated fats, found in foods such as olive oil, avocados and some nuts and seeds, were associated with improved ferroptosis resistance and enhanced immune response.
“Our research showed that a diet higher in monounsaturated fats increased ferroptosis resistance and therefore immune response,” Professor Crawford said. “This helps explain why obesity is associated with higher cancer risk and impaired responses to vaccines.”
Individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) often have increased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may inhibit ferroptosis and immune cell function.
“The findings suggest that targeting fat metabolism, either through dietary or pharmacological strategies could enhance vaccine efficacy, reduce cancer risk and improve immunotherapy treatment outcomes for patients.”
Further research is needed to determine how dietary or pharmacological strategies could strengthen ferroptosis resistance in at-risk populations, such as those with obesity.
Left to right: GMR Liver Cancer Research Lead and Research Fellow, Dr Xiaowen (Tina) Liang, GMR Research Director, Professor Darrell Crawford and GMR Liver Disease Research Lead & Lab Supervisor, Dr Kim Bridle
