Ancient gene influencing immunity in First Nations people

A gene variant has been discovered that could explain susceptibility to disease among First Nations people in Oceania.

The variation affects the natural killer cells, which play a vital role in the first line of immune defence.

It's a discovery that could have implications for the treatment of diseases like tuberculosis and cancer.

Guest

• Professor Andrew Brooks, immunologist at the Doherty Institute and the University of Melbourne

References

• An archaic HLA class I receptor allele diversifies natural killer cell-driven immunity in First Nations peoples of Oceania