Trained innate immunity: Concept, nomenclature, and future perspectives

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cellular Biology
• Disease Pathogenesis

Background:

• Innate immune cells traditionally lack adaptive characteristics.
• Recent evidence shows innate immune cells can develop long-term functional changes, termed trained immunity.
• Trained immunity involves metabolic rewiring and epigenetic modifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the concept and implications of trained immunity.
• To discuss the role of trained immunity in human diseases.
• To highlight potential therapeutic and prophylactic applications of trained immunity.

Main Methods:

• Review of accumulated evidence on innate immune memory.
• Analysis of mechanisms underlying trained immunity (metabolic and epigenetic).
• Examination of trained immunity's role in infection, inflammation, and neurodegeneration.

Main Results:

• Trained immunity confers heterologous protection against infections when induced by vaccines.
• Dysregulated trained immunity contributes to inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
• Trained immunity presents opportunities for novel vaccine and therapeutic development.

Conclusions:

• Trained immunity represents a significant advancement in understanding immune responses.
• Harnessing trained immunity could lead to next-generation vaccines with enhanced efficacy.
• Modulating trained immunity offers new therapeutic avenues for cancer and inflammatory diseases.