A trade-off between resistance to infection and reproduction in primate evolution

SUMMARY Most mammals express a functional GGTA1 gene encoding the N-acetyllactosaminide α-1,3-galactosyltransferase enzyme, which synthesizes Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc (αGal) and are thus tolerant to this self-expressed glycan epitope. Old World primates including humans, however, carry GGTA1 loss-of-function mutations and lack αGal. Presumably, fixation of such mutations was propelled by natural selection, favoring the emergence of αGal-specific immunity, which conferred resistance to αGal-expressing pathogens. Here we show that loss of Ggta1 function in mice enhances resistance to bacterial sepsis, irrespectively of αGal-specific immunity. Rather, the absence of αGal from IgG-associated glycans increases IgG effector function, via a mechanism associated with enhanced IgG-Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) binding. The ensuing survival advantage against sepsis comes alongside a cost of earlier onset of reproductive senescence. Mathematical modeling of this trade-off shows that under conditions of high exposure to virulent pathogens, selective pressure can fix GGTA1 loss-of-function mutations, as likely occurred during the evolution of primates towards humans.