Obesity leaves a lasting memory in immune cells
Research from the University of Birmingham indicates that obesity leaves a molecular 'memory' in immune cells that can persist for years after weight loss. This DNA methylation process may explain why individuals remain at higher risk for obesity-related diseases even after achieving a healthy weight.
Why it matters
These findings suggest that the biological impact of obesity is more enduring than previously thought, potentially changing how doctors approach long-term health management for patients who have lost weight.
Obesity may leave a long-lasting biological imprint on the immune system, potentially keeping some health risks elevated for years after weight loss. A 10-year study published in EMBO Reports suggests that people who have lived with obesity can retain a molecular "memory" of that state in important immune cells.
The European research team, led by Professor Claudio Mauro at the University of Birmingham and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre: Birmingham, found that helper T cells (or CD4+ lymphocytes) can retain signs of past obesity long after body weight has been reduced.
The researchers focused on a process called DNA methylation, in which chemical tags or markers attach to DNA inside immune cells. Their findings suggest that these changes may persist for 5-10 years following successful weight loss.
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