Major Breakthrough in Understanding Asian Immune Diversity
A groundbreaking international study has revealed that immune system differences among Asian ethnicities are as significant as those between men and women. This discovery, led by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) in Singapore, challenges long-held assumptions in biomedical research and could transform how diseases are diagnosed and treated across Asia.
The research, published in the journal Cell in March 2025, involved scientists from Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Japan, and India. By analyzing over 1.2 million immune cells from 625 healthy donors, the team created the Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA)—the most comprehensive map of immune cell diversity in Asia to date.
Why Are These Findings So Important?
Historically, most biomedical research has focused on European populations. As a result, diagnostic tools and treatment guidelines often fail to account for the unique biological characteristics of other ethnic groups. Dr. Shyam Prabhakar, senior author of the study and associate director at A*Star Genome Institute of Singapore, emphasized the significance of the findings:
“It is well established that you have to have men and women in your cohort for drug trials because we understand this biological difference. The data is suggesting the same applies to ethnicity. You cannot do your drug trial on one ethnicity and say the results apply to all.”
This means that medical tests and drug trials based on data from one ethnic group may not be accurate or effective for others, potentially leading to misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatments.
Key Discoveries from the Asian Immune Diversity Atlas
The AIDA project used advanced single-cell RNA sequencing to examine the immune cells of donors from seven population groups across five Asian countries. The study found that:
- Immune-related blood markers vary massively between Asian ethnicities.
- Differences in immune cell properties are as pronounced as those between men and women.
- Sub-continental diversity, age, and sex all significantly impact immune cell traits.
One striking example involves CD4+ T naive cells, which are indicators of inflammation caused by aging. The study found that age affects these cells differently in Chinese, Malay, and Indian Singaporeans, suggesting that risks for inflammation-related diseases also differ among these groups. This finding implies that screening and prevention strategies should be tailored to each ethnic group for maximum effectiveness.
Implications for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
Blood tests for infectious diseases or conditions like leukemia often rely on measuring the proportions of different white blood cells. However, the AIDA study revealed that healthy reference ranges for these immune cells can differ significantly between ethnicities and countries. This means that a “normal” test result for one group might be abnormal for another, potentially leading to misinterpretation of results.
Dr. Prabhakar highlighted the need for further research to refine diagnostic criteria and ensure that medical tests are accurate for all populations. The study also discovered genetic variants influencing immune cell behavior that are under-represented in non-Asian populations, underscoring the importance of including diverse groups in biomedical research.
Next Steps: Expanding the Atlas and Disease Risk Research
The A*Star team plans to expand their research by mapping immune cells from other organs such as the skin, colon, and gastric system. They also aim to study how different Asian ethnicities may have varying susceptibilities to diseases like diabetes. These efforts are expected to provide deeper insights into disease risk and help prioritize early detection for high-risk individuals, ultimately reducing healthcare costs.
Dr. Prabhakar explained, “Knowing disease risk is our best way of reducing healthcare costs, because if you know accurately who’s at high risk, then you can prioritize the person and get them to come into the clinic more often. Early detection is the best way of curing and reducing healthcare costs.”
What Does This Mean for Precision Medicine?
The findings from the AIDA study are a major step forward for precision medicine in Asia. Precision medicine aims to tailor healthcare to individual characteristics, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle. By recognizing the unique immune profiles of different Asian ethnicities, doctors and researchers can develop more accurate diagnostic tools and personalized treatments.
This research also highlights the need for greater diversity in global biomedical studies. Including a wider range of ethnic groups will help ensure that medical advances benefit everyone, not just those from populations that have traditionally been studied.
In Summary
- A landmark study led by A*Star has mapped immune cell diversity across five Asian countries, revealing massive differences among ethnicities.
- Immune system differences between Asian ethnicities are as significant as those between men and women, challenging current approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
- Blood test reference ranges and disease risk factors vary by ethnicity, underscoring the need for tailored medical guidelines.
- The Asian Immune Diversity Atlas (AIDA) will help drive precision medicine and more equitable healthcare for Asian populations.
- Future research will expand the atlas to other organs and explore ethnic differences in disease susceptibility, aiming to improve early detection and reduce healthcare costs.
