This 2016 German review subject was memory characteristics of immune cells:
“Innate immune memory has likely evolved as an ancient mechanism to protect against pathogens. However, dysregulated processes of immunological imprinting mediated by trained innate immunity may also be detrimental under certain conditions.
Evidence is rapidly accumulating that innate immune cells can adopt a persistent pro-inflammatory phenotype after brief exposure to a variety of stimuli, a phenomenon that has been termed ‘trained innate immunity.’ The epigenome of myeloid (progenitor) cells is presumably modified for prolonged periods of time, which, in turn, could evoke a condition of continuous immune cell over-activation.”
These reviewers focused on an example of atherosclerosis, although other examples were discussed of epigenetic remodeling to acquire immune memory:
“In the last ten years, several novel non-traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis have been identified that are all associated with activation of the immune system. These include chronic inflammatory diseases such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis,
- Gout,
- Psoriatic arthritis, and
- Ankylosing spondylitis,
as well as infections with bacteria or viruses.”
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1044532316300185 “Long-term activation of the innate immune system in atherosclerosis”
Diets were discussed, mainly regarding their various negative effects. I was interested to see a study that referenced a common dietary supplement:
“Pathway analysis of promoters that were potentiated by β-glucan identified several innate immune and signaling pathways upregulated in trained cells that are responsible for induction of trained immunity.”
Other curated research into epigenetic remodeling of immune system memory includes:
