[Nature] The protective effect of the immune system can be passed on to offspring?

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Author: Tiffany Guide: Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression levels based on changes in non-gene sequences, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromosomes Remodeling and non-coding RNA regulation, etc.
, mainly through the regulation of gene transcription or translation process, affect its function and characteristics
.

Recently, scientists have discovered a conclusion that subverts the classical theory of evolution, that is: if the protective effect of the immune system is enhanced, this stronger immune effect will be passed on to the next generation
.

what the hell is it? If this generation is infected with a certain disease, will this also affect the immunity of the offspring? Researchers from Radboud University in the Netherlands, Bonn University in Germany, University of Saarland in Germany, University of Lausanne in Switzerland and University of Athens in Greece carried out in-depth research and cooperation on this issue, and conducted experiments and reflections
.

Scientists have done experiments on mice in the previous research in this area.
In their previous experiments, the father of the mouse has overcome the fungal infection or is stimulated by the fungal compound, and his own immunity has been greatly enhanced.
Subsequently, , The protective effect in their body improves a lot of immunity and is also passed on to the offspring
.

At the same time, the research team also demonstrated through experiments in mice how a stronger immune response after improvement is passed on to the offspring
.

They published the results of this research in an article titled "Transmission of trained immunity and heterologous resistance to infections across generations" in "Nature Immunology": Scientific research shows that what people pass to their offspring is not only written in DNA sequences.
What's inside, the impact of the environment on individuals will also be passed on to the next generation
.

For example, in the winter from 1944 to 1945, the supply of food was in short supply, and people were not full, so they were hungry and cold.
During this period of time, children who grew up in the womb had their metabolism during their development.
In addition to the typical changes, this change comes from the adaptation to food shortages, which will lead to a higher risk of diabetes and obesity in the future
.

Epigenetics studies these relationships from the molecular level.
It detects changes in gene function
.

Professor Andreas Schlitzer of the Limes Institute at the University of Bonn explained: “Not all regions of DNA can read genetic information
.

For example, if there is a methyl block in the middle, then the gene cannot be read correctly
.

These associations have already been read .
The relevant scientific community has studied for decades
.

Scientists have previously discovered that plants and invertebrates will show resistance to the next generation of infections
.

"In this study, from Radboud University and University of Bonn in the Netherlands.
For the first time, scientists from the University of Saarland, the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, and the National University of Athens and Capodelan University in Greece focused on studying whether the influence of the innate immune system will also be passed on to the next generation of mammals
.

Using fungal infections to improve the immune system of mice.
The research team infected male mice with thrush fungus (a pathogen called Candida albicans).
After their infections healed, they were allowed to interact with fully healthy females.
To mate
.

The research team compared the offspring of these mice with the offspring of mice that had not previously been infected with Candida albicans.
To study the state of the immune system in the mice, they used coliform bacteria to infect the next generation of males.
Mice
.

They found that the offspring of male mice previously infected with Candida had significantly better immune protection against subsequent E.
coli infection than the offspring of uninfected male mice
.

Professor Mihai G.
Netea of ​​the Infectious Diseases Center of Radboud University said: "This improved immune effect affects the immune system of the next generation is still obvious
.

" How exactly is this mechanism of transmitting immunity to the offspring? Is it running? Scientists have observed and studied typical immune cells, such as monocytes or neutrophils
.

No difference was detected between the offspring of male mice infected with Candida albicans and the uninfected control group; however, in the offspring of the father of the previously infected mouse, the MHC class II complex was upregulated, which activated partial immunity System
.

In addition, the scientists found that in the offspring of male mice infected with Candida albicans, the activity of inflammation-related genes was also up-regulated, and the monocyte progenitor cells in these offspring had more inflammation-related genes than uninfected male mice.
The descendants are easier to read
.

Schlitzer explained: "This shows that if the father has been infected with Candida albicans before, the progenitor cells of monocytes will undergo epigenetic changes
.

" Changes in gene activity can be detected in sperm.
So how does this information pass? For the next generation? In collaboration with the University of Saarland, scientists have studied the gene activity of sperm from the father of mice infected with Candida
.

They analyzed the extent to which methyl groups hindered gene access
.

Professor Jörn Walter of Saarland University said: “The changes in genetic markers are obvious
.

The offspring of male mice infected with Candida albicans show less genetic blockage in gene regions important for the inflammatory process and monocyte maturation
.
The
bone marrow is The birthplace of many immune cells, as for how the information of sperm markers reach the bone marrow, we still need to further research to explore
.

” Professor Netea also emphasized: “This result was carried out by researchers from different disciplines and institutions.
Achieved by friendly and close cooperation
.

"The researchers working with Professor Schlitzer are all members of the excellent immune perception cluster, and they are an important part of the Institute of Life and Medical Sciences of the University of Bonn
.

This study shows for the first time that the adaptability of mammals to infectious diseases will also be passed on to offspring
.

"The classic evolutionary theory is exactly the opposite of their new discovery.
The evolutionary theory believes that changes in the genetic code are slowly adapted, and this new discovery is: regardless of the genetic code, the genetic code is epigenetic regulation through gene activity.
And there is a very rapid change
.

Although researchers are currently not sure whether the experiments and observations made on mice can also be transferred to humans, Schlitzer said: "We assume that this is the case, mice and humans.
The mechanism of the immune system is very similar to related cells
.

"Reference: https://medicalxpress.
com/news/2021-10-epigenetics-immunization-offspring.
html Note: This article aims to introduce the progress of medical research and cannot be used as a reference for treatment options
.

If you need health guidance, please go to a regular hospital
.

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