Early‐life immune expression profiles predict later‐life health and fitness in a wild rodent

• DOI: 10.1111/mec.16950
• Publication Date: 2023-04-03T10:06:35Z
• Authors: Klara M. Wanelik; Mike Begon; Janette E. Bradley; Ida M. Friberg; Christopher H. Ta...; Joseph A. Jackson; Steve Paterson
• Keywords: Expression (computer science); Genetic Fitness

Individuals differ in the nature of immune responses they produce, affecting disease susceptibility and ultimately health fitness. These differences have been hypothesized to an origin events experienced early life that then affect trajectories development responsiveness. Here, we investigate how early-life expression profiles influence history outcomes a natural population field voles, Microtus agrestis, which are able monitor variation between within individuals through time by repeat sampling individually marked animals. We analysed co-expression 20 genes create correlation network consisting three main clusters, one (containing Gata3, Il10 Il17) was associated with later-life reproductive success chronic bacterial (Bartonella) infection. More detailed analyses supported associations Il17 later life, infection Bartonella. also found significant association genotype Il10. Our results demonstrate can be manifested during effects persist adulthood shape variability among fitness widely seen populations.