Epigenetics and Immunity

In this chapter, we will discuss the prominent impact of epigenetics on the proper function of the immune system. This involves the epigenetic programming of HSCs and progenitor cells during hematopoiesis, in order to produce in response to the respective immunological challenge the appropriate amounts of innate and adaptive immune cells. Furthermore, in the context of the process of inflammation epigenetic programming of innate immune cells leads to appropriate response to microbe exposure creating epigenetic memory referred to as trained immunity. Nuclear receptors provide an important link of nutrition and endocrinology with the immune system. They modulate the differentiation process of immune cells and counteract inflammation, which is primarily mediated by NFκB and its primary and secondary targets. In this way, metabolism and inflammation are linked via gene regulatory actions of transcription factors and epigenetic programming affecting basically all common diseases.