News•Mar 6, 2026
Fat Composition Affects T Cell-Mediated Immunity
Scientists discovered that the ratio of polyunsaturated to monounsaturated fatty acids in the diet determines T‑cell susceptibility to ferroptosis, a form of iron‑dependent cell death. Mice fed diets with low PUFA/MUFA ratios showed higher ferroptosis resistance, leading to stronger humoral responses and slower melanoma growth, while high‑ratio diets impaired T‑cell function. Human cohorts showed the same correlation between plasma PUFA/MUFA ratios, lipid ROS and T‑cell ferroptosis resistance, independent of BMI. The findings suggest dietary fat composition can modulate vaccine efficacy and cancer immunotherapy outcomes.
