We already knew that environmental pollution could have multi-generational negative effects on the reproductive, nervous and respiratory systems. A new study suggests an impact on the immune system.
The negative effects of environmental pollution common over several generations also concern the immune system . This conclusion was made by Paige Lawrence, Professor of Immunology and Toxicology at the University of Rochester Medical Center (USA). The researcher presented her research in a press release dated October 2, 2019, and it was also published in the journal iScience .
The team that conducted the study exposed pregnant mice to a group of chemicals:dioxins. These are toxic substances considered to be persistent organic pollutants in the environment. They are widely used in industry, for example in the manufacture of pesticides, paper or the incineration of waste. Certain natural processes can also contribute to their production such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. In addition, these same substances can sometimes find their way into food.
Experiment has shown that white blood cells with the mission of protecting the body against foreign pathogens have been weakened. This was verified against a virus of type influenza A (flu). On the other hand, that's not all since the researchers have discovered something even more worrying. Indeed, in the event that a pregnant mouse showed signs of a weakened immune response, its offspring also showed signs of it, as did individuals of the four subsequent generations ! According to the researchers, dioxins would impact genes by clinging to a protein called AHR. However, this would cause an alteration in the transcription of the genetic instructions and it is this same alteration that would be transmitted to the following generations.
American researchers are the first to make such a link – which only needs to be confirmed by other studies. Ultimately, this kind of research could tell us more about the human immune system. For example, this might help answer the following question:Why don't vaccines perform to the same degree according to individuals? We could then consider that pollution represents a factor of deficiency of the immune system from birth!
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