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Western lifestyle linked to maladaptive trained immunity
Aurelia Josephine Merbecks1, Christabel Mennicken1, Dennis Marinus de Graaf1
1Institute of Innate Immunity, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
Elife
|January 21, 2026
Summary
Trained immunity (TI) offers survival benefits but can maladaptively fuel inflammation. Western lifestyle factors like diet and pollution may drive harmful TI, suggesting lifestyle interventions could be key.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Innate Immunity
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Trained immunity (TI) enhances innate immune responses after initial stimuli via epigenetic and metabolic changes.
- While beneficial against pathogens, TI can become maladaptive, contributing to inflammatory diseases.
- Western lifestyle factors are increasingly implicated in detrimental TI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how Western lifestyle aspects contribute to maladaptive trained immunity.
- To explore potential lifestyle interventions for mitigating harmful TI.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on trained immunity.
- Analysis of lifestyle factors (diet, stress, environment) and their impact on TI.
- Synthesis of evidence linking Western lifestyle to maladaptive TI.
Main Results:
- Western diet, periodontitis, chronic stress, air pollution, and microplastics are identified as contributors to maladaptive TI.
- These factors can reprogram innate immune cells, leading to excessive inflammation.
- Lifestyle interventions show promise in preventing or reducing maladaptive TI.
Conclusions:
- Maladaptive trained immunity, driven by Western lifestyle, poses a risk for inflammatory diseases.
- Targeting lifestyle factors offers a potential strategy to manage and prevent detrimental TI.
- Further research into lifestyle interventions is warranted to combat maladaptive TI.
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