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Your Immune System Keeps a Secret Diary
18 Feb
Summary
- Genes and environment jointly shape immune system function.
- Epigenetics acts as a biological diary recording immune memory.
- T cells retain long-term immune memory influencing health.
A groundbreaking study indicates that the human immune system maintains a biological diary, recording the combined influence of inherited genes and environmental exposures. This epigenetic 'diary' helps explain individual differences in infection response and recovery. The research, published in Nature Genetics, highlights how processes like DNA methylation encode life experiences within our cells.
Specialized immune cells, particularly T cells, serve as long-term record-keepers, remembering past encounters with pathogens and vaccines. This memory influences how the body reacts to subsequent infections and the effectiveness of vaccinations. Researchers have identified genetic material passed from parents (gDMRs) and experience-driven marks (eDMRs) that shape this immune memory.
These findings suggest potential for personalized medicine, allowing for targeted therapies based on an individual's unique biological blueprint. Lifestyle factors such as yoga, sleep, and diet may also play a role in positively influencing these epigenetic markers, supporting a healthier immune system. The study emphasizes that individuals have a degree of control over their immune health through lifestyle choices.
