Trained immunity: adaptation within innate immune mechanisms

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cell Biology
• Epigenetics

Background:

• Innate immune memory mechanisms remain largely unknown, unlike adaptive immunity.
• Innate immune cells exhibit nonspecific increased responsiveness after stimulation.
• This phenomenon is known as trained immunity or innate immune memory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on trained immunity.
• To summarize its foundations, mechanisms, and involved cell types.
• To explore its consequences for health and disease and therapeutic potential.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on trained immunity.
• Analysis of epigenetic, transcriptional, and metabolic reprogramming in innate immune cells.
• Examination of the role of trained immunity in infection, vaccination, and disease.

Main Results:

• Trained immunity enhances innate immune responses and protection against infections and vaccination.
• It involves epigenetic, transcriptional, and metabolic reprogramming.
• Dysregulated trained immunity can contribute to cardiovascular, autoinflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Conclusions:

• Trained immunity offers enhanced protection against infections but poses risks for chronic diseases.
• Understanding its mechanisms is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies.
• Modulating trained immunity holds potential as a novel therapeutic approach.