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New insights into human immunity from ancient genomics.
Gaspard Kerner1, Etienne Patin1, Lluis Quintana-Murci2
1Human Evolutionary Genetics Unit, Institut Pasteur, UMR 2000, CNRS, Paris 75015, France.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|May 16, 2021
Summary
Human evolution shows natural selection on immune genes through ancient DNA. Hybridization with Neanderthals and Denisovans, plus population admixture, reveals sources of modern immune variation and disease susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Human evolutionary genetics
- Immunology
- Paleogenomics
Background:
- Population genetics reveals natural selection acting on immune and host defense genes.
- Understanding immune gene variation is crucial for human diseases.
- Ancient DNA technologies enable new insights into human adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore human adaptation to infectious agents through hybridization and admixture.
- To investigate the role of ancient hominin DNA (Neanderthals, Denisovans) in modern human immunity.
- To analyze the impact of past epidemics on human immune gene evolution.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ancient DNA from hominin remains and pathogens.
- Population genetic studies focusing on admixture and hybridization.
- Sequencing technologies for ancient DNA analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified hybridization with Neanderthals and Denisovans as a source of immune variation.
- Linked Neanderthal heritage to susceptibility to severe COVID-19.
- Demonstrated the action of natural selection on immune genes over time.
Conclusions:
- Ancient DNA studies provide novel insights into the evolution of human immunity.
- Past epidemics and archaic admixture have shaped contemporary human immune responses.
- Understanding these evolutionary processes is key to addressing infectious diseases.
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