Evolution of immune genes is associated with the Black Death
Jennifer Klunk, Tauras P. Vilgalys, Christian E. Demeure, Xiaoheng Cheng, Mari Shiratori, Julien Madej, Rémi Beau, Derek Elli, Maria I. Patino, Rebecca Redfern, Sharon N. DeWitte, Julia A. Gamble, Jesper L. Boldsen, Ann Carmichael, Nükhet Varlik, Katherine Eaton, Jean-Christophe Grenier, G. Brian Golding, Alison Devault, Jean-Marie Rouillard, Vania Yotova, Renata Sindeaux, Chun Jimmie Ye, Matin Bikaran, Anne Dumaine, Jessica F. Brinkworth, Dominique Missiakas, Guy A. Rouleau, Matthias Steinrücken, Javier Pizarro-Cerdá, Hendrik N. Poinar & Luis B. Barreiro
Nature volume 611, pages312–319 (2022)
The article discusses the genetic variants that offered protection during the Black Death and their association with current autoimmune disorders. The researchers highlights that infectious diseases are some of the strongest selective pressures in human evolution, selecting for genetic variants that increase resistance to infection. In the face of a pandemic, resistance to the disease undergoes strong positive selection that likely affects the genetic makeup of the population afterward.
The Black Death, otherwise known as the bubonic plague, remains the most devastating pandemic in recorded history, reducing the European population by 30-50% within a 4-year span (1346-1350) and affecting nearly all of Afro-Eurasia. The article mentions that the researchers collected ancient DNA across London and Denmark from individuals who died either shortly before, during, or after the Black Death. The DNA was then sequenced, and targeted immune genes were examined across the three timepoints to look for large changes in variant frequency over time. The researchers found that four gene loci, including variants near ERAP2 and TICAM2, matched this pattern. ERAP2 is active in antigen-presenting cells, like macrophages, which eat and break down pathogens and present a piece of the pathogen (called an antigen) to other immune cells to help the body learn how to fight it. The article concludes that the study provides new insights into the genetic basis of autoimmune disorders and highlights the importance of studying the genetic history of human populations to understand the evolution of disease resistance.
In my opinion, the article provides an interesting insight into the genetic variants that offered protection during the Black Death and their association with current autoimmune disorders. The author has done a good job of explaining the concept in simple terms, making it accessible to a broad audience. The article is well-structured, with clear headings and subheadings that make it easy to follow. The author has also provided several examples to illustrate the concept, which helps to reinforce the reader’s understanding. However, the article could have benefited from more detailed explanations of the underlying mechanisms of the genetic variants and their association with autoimmune disorders. Additionally, the author could have explored the implications of this phenomenon in more detail, such as its potential applications in fields like medicine, genetics, and immunology. By doing so, the article would have been more informative and engaging.
One of the strengths of the article is that it provides a clear and concise explanation of the concept of genetic variants that offered protection during the Black Death and their association with current autoimmune disorders. The author has used simple language and provided several examples to illustrate the concept, which makes it easy for readers to understand. The article is also well-structured, with clear headings and subheadings that make it easy to follow. The author has also provided several references to studies that support the concept of genetic variants that offered protection during the Black Death, which adds credibility to the article.
However, the article could have benefited from more detailed explanations of the underlying mechanisms of the genetic variants and their association with autoimmune disorders. While the author has provided a general overview of the phenomenon, more detailed explanations of the genetic mechanisms involved would have been helpful. Additionally, the author could have explored the implications of this phenomenon in more detail, such as its potential applications in fields like medicine, genetics, and immunology. By doing so, the article would have been more informative and engaging.
In conclusion, the article provides an interesting insight into the genetic variants that offered protection during the Black Death and their association with current autoimmune disorders. The author has done a good job of explaining the concept in simple terms, making it accessible to a broad audience. The article is well-structured, with clear headings and subheadings that make it easy to follow. However, the article could have benefited from more detailed explanations of the underlying mechanisms of the genetic variants and their association with autoimmune disorders. Additionally, the author could have explored the implications of this phenomenon in more detail, such as its potential applications in fields like medicine, genetics, and immunology. Overall, I found the article to be an engaging and informative read that provides a fascinating glimpse into the genetic history of human populations and the evolution of disease resistance.
