Natural Oils Enhance IL-10 and IFN-γ Production by Human PBMCs Cultured with Malassezia furfur

Background: Malassezia furfur is alipophilic yeast that causes skin disease. Objective: To evaluate the level of IL-10, IFN-γ and IL-12P70 in co-incubation of M. furfur grown on different forms of natural oils with PBMCs of healthy individuals. Methods: PBMCs were obtained from blood samples of normal volunteers. M. furfur was cultured in different culture media containing almond oil, fish oil, walnut oil, full-fat milk, and a fat-free medium; and the yeasts grown were harvested and used for co-incubation with PBMCs in vitro. The IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-12P70 levels were measured at different time intervals using ELISA methods. Results: Generally, IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in the coincubation of yeasts with walnut oil group (WOG) and fish oil group (FOG) were higher than those in the almond oil group (AOG) and full-fat milk group (FFMG). Although the IL-12P70 was higher in groups such as AOG, FOG, and WOG; the increase was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the type of fat used by M. furfur in the culture media can influence the immune response and increases IFN-γ and IL-10 levels in an early time point of the culture system.