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Abstract
Background: Amazonian populations are exposed to diverse parasites and pathogens, including protozoal, bacterial, fungal and helminthic infections. Yet much knowledge of the immune system is based on industrialised populations where these infections are relatively rare.
Aim: This study examines distributions and age-related differences in 22 measures of immune function for Bolivian forager-horticulturalists and US and European populations.
Subjects and methods: Subjects were 6338 Tsimane aged 0–90 years. Blood samples collected between 2004–2014 were analysed for 5-part blood differentials, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and total immunoglobulins E, G, A and M. Flow cytometry was used to quantify naïve and non-naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells, natural killer cells, and B cells.
Results: Compared to reference populations, Tsimane have elevated levels of most immunological parameters, particularly immunoglobulins, eosinophils, ESR, B cells, and natural killer cells. However, monocytes and basophils are reduced and naïve CD4 cells depleted in older age groups.
Conclusion: Tsimane ecology leads to lymphocyte repertoires and immunoglobulin profiles that differ from those observed in industrialised populations. These differences have consequences for disease susceptibility and co-vary with patterns of other life history traits, such as growth and reproduction.
Acknowledgements
JS acknowledges support from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) - Labex IAST. We further thank the Tsimane for their continued participation, and our many project physicians and staff members for their dedication.
Disclosure statement
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.
This work was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Aging [R01AG024119, R56AG024119, P01AG022500] and the National Science Foundation [BCS-0422690].
