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Natural selection contributed to immunological differences between hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists
Genelle F Harrison1,2, Joaquin Sanz2,3, Jonathan Boulais2,3
1Department of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Nature Ecology & Evolution
|July 31, 2019
Summary
The human immune system evolved differently between hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists, with distinct genetic responses to viruses. Surprisingly, rainforest hunter-gatherers showed more signs of immune system adaptation than agriculturalists.
Area of Science:
- Human Evolution
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- The transition to agriculture significantly altered human pathogen exposure.
- The impact of agriculture on the human immune system's evolution is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare immune system transcriptional responses between Ugandan hunter-gatherers and agriculturalists.
- To investigate the genetic basis and evolutionary pressures shaping immune differences.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) transcriptional responses to bacterial and viral stimuli.
- Assessment of genetic control and signatures of natural selection on immune response variations.
Main Results:
- Greater divergence in early transcriptional responses to viruses than bacteria between the two groups.
- A significant portion of these immune response differences are genetically controlled.
- Signatures of positive natural selection were more prevalent in hunter-gatherers than agriculturalists.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of the human immune system shows distinct patterns between hunter-gatherer and agriculturalist populations.
- Contrary to popular belief, heightened selective pressures were not solely imposed by agriculture.
- Genetic variation and natural selection have shaped population-specific immune regulation.
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