Shift in Nomenclature not Thesis: Innate Immune Memory, Pathogen Dose and Opsonins

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the concept of innate immune memory and the role of pathogen dose, arguing that recent claims of a paradigm shift overlook historical perspectives and may be overstated.

Contribution

It challenges the notion of a paradigm shift in innate immunity by emphasizing historical context and questioning recent claims about pathogen dose importance.

Findings

Reevaluates the concept of innate immune memory.

Highlights historical contributions by Almroth Wright.

Questions the framing of recent research as a paradigm shift.

Abstract

Recent writings on "innate immune memory" or "trained immunity," and on "hormetic responses," herald reinvigoration of an important research area with early 20th century roots. However, it is questionable that the thesis of a "major importance of the sensed dose of pathogen for the development of innate immune system-mediated responses," should be labelled a "paradigm shift." The works of Almroth Wright (1861-1947) should be taken into account.