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20 June 2024
Groundbreaking Study Published in “Nature” Explores the Dynamic Evolution of Immunity
One of the important implications is that the ability of the immune system to evolve new functions is dependent more on the interaction between different cells than within a cell type
New Insights into the Immune System's Evolution from RTICC Researchers
Researchers at the Technion have unveiled new findings about the immune system’s adaptability and evolution. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature, was conducted by a team from the Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine. Led by RTICC faculty member Prof. Shai Shen-Orr, the team included Dr. Tania Dubovik, and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Martin Lukačišin, who has worked in collaboration with Rambam Health Care Campus and Carnegie Mellon University.
The immune system plays a critical role in protecting organisms from pathogens and harmful agents, making its evolution essential for survival. It relies on a variety of immune cells working together to maintain this protection. What makes the immune system remarkable is its capacity to adapt and evolve in response to a constantly changing environment. While genetic mutations provide a foundation for evolutionary change, not all mutations are beneficial, and even beneficial ones may not always be passed down through generations.
The researchers examined how immune system genes, which evolve faster than others in mammals and birds, adapt to environmental pressures. Previous research on this subject was limited by the complexity and variability of the immune system across individuals. To overcome this, the team employed a unique model of genetically diverse mice, mimicking the variation seen in humans. This allowed them to track the genes that influence the abundance of various immune cell types and how these genes regulate cell division, migration, and death.
In their analysis, the researchers uncovered a fascinating set of genes that control interactions between different immune cells, rather than acting within a single cell type. By studying the genomes of 60 vertebrate species over an evolutionary span of 600 million years, they demonstrated that these genes are rich in mutations. This genetic diversity enables new interactions between cell types to evolve without causing significant harm to the organism.
The study provides valuable insights into how modular systems, like the immune system, evolve and adapt over time.In fact this research paves the way for future exploration of immune system evolution and its potential applications in biotechnology and engineering.
“One of the important implications is that the ability of the immune system to evolve new functions is dependent more on the interaction between different cells than within a cell type,” explained Prof. Shen-Orr. “This gives us a better understanding of how complex modular systems evolve and opens up new avenues for studying immune responses and engineering solutions based on these principles.”
The research was generously supported by the Israel Science Foundation (ISF), the Applebaum Foundation, the Milgrom Foundation, the Kollek Research Fund, the Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Cancer Research Center, and the Eli Kaufman Fellowship.
The Research has been published in the Journal Nature
