Environment, more than genetics, shapes immune system | Science/AAAS | News - 0 views
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Lottie Peppers on 22 Jan 15Why did you get the flu this winter, but your co-workers didn't? The answer, according to a new study of twins, may have less to do with your genes and more to do with your environment-including your past exposure to pathogens and vaccines. Our immune system is incredibly complex, with diverse armies of white blood cells and signal-sending proteins coursing through our veins, ready to mount an attack on would-be invaders. Everyone's immune system is slightly different-a unique mixture of hundreds of these cells and proteins. But the main driver of this variation is unclear. Although scientists know that our immune system can adapt to our environment-that's why vaccines work, for instance-it is also built by our genes.