Epigenetic reprogramming of monocytes by BCG vaccination

一些疫苗可能具有非特异性的有益效果。一个例子是被称为“BCG”的结核病疫苗，它不仅可以预防结核病，还可以预防一系列感染。这种效应是由先天免疫系统介导的，而先天免疫系统被认为是没有记忆的。然而，越来越多的证据表明，先天免疫细胞可以通过改变它们的DNA包装方式来记住某些暴露，例如BCG疫苗。这种DNA的重新包装改变了细胞对感染的反应。

Some vaccines can have non-specific beneficial effects. One example is the Tuberculosis vaccine called 'BCG', which not only confers protection against TB, but a range of infections. This effect is mediated by the innate immune system, which is thought to have no memory. However, accumulating evidence suggests that innate immune cells can remember certain exposures, such as the BCG vaccine, by changing how their DNA is packaged. This re-packaging of DNA alters the cell response to infections.