Inflammation in the gums can increase susceptibility to other forms of inflammation, such as arthritis, through changes to immune cell precursors in the bone marrow, according to new research.
The immune system remembers. Often this memory, primed by past encounters with threats like bacteria or viruses, is an asset.
But when that memory is sparked by internal drivers, like chronic inflammation, it can prove detrimental, perpetuating a misguided immune response.
…our findings suggest that it’s important for clinicians to keep in mind how the medical history of the donor is going to affect the health of the recipient. In a new paper in Cell, researchers lay out the mechanism by which innate immune memory can cause one type of inflammatory condition—in this example, gum disease—to increase susceptibility to another—here, arthritis—through alterations to immune cell precursors in the bone marrow.
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