Diet and Trained Immunity in Cardiovascular Diseases

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Nutritional Science
• Cardiovascular Research

Background:

• Innate immune cells can acquire a long-lasting hyperresponsive state, termed trained immunity, via metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming.
• Trained immunity has been linked to accelerated atherosclerosis development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence on how diets and specific dietary components modulate trained immunity.
• To explore the potential of dietary interventions in preventing cardiovascular diseases.

Main Methods:

• Review of experimental studies in mice and human intervention studies.
• Analysis of ex vivo studies on dietary components.
• Examination of epigenetic reprogramming in myeloid cells and adipocytes.

Main Results:

• Intermittent high-fat diets and diet-induced obesity in mice promote hyperinflammatory immune cells, worsening atherosclerosis.
• Hyperglycemia and high-salt diets induce trained immunity in murine models.
• Western-style diets trigger inflammation, while plant-based diets limit it, partly via trained immunity modulation.
• Dietary components like apigenin and resveratrol can prevent trained immunity in vitro.

Conclusions:

• Diets and specific nutrients can significantly modulate trained immunity.
• Dietary interventions hold potential for preventing cardiovascular diseases by targeting trained immunity.
• Further research into molecular mechanisms is needed to optimize dietary strategies.