Ancient Single-Celled Ancestors Found in Human Blood Cells
Scientists discover ancient single-celled ancestors still live on in your blood

Image: Science Daily
Research from Kyoto University reveals that human blood cells may trace their lineage back to single-celled ancestors that existed 700 million years ago. This discovery highlights the evolutionary connection between modern immune cells and ancient life forms, shedding light on the origins and diversification of blood cells across species.
- 01The study indicates that the first blood cells likely emerged around the same time multicellular animals appeared on Earth, approximately 700 million years ago.
- 02Macrophages, a type of immune cell, showed the strongest similarities to unicellular organisms, suggesting they are among the earliest blood cell types.
- 03The research team developed a new analytical method to trace blood cell evolution, revealing how different blood cell types branched off over time.
- 04The findings illustrate that modern blood and immune cells retain genetic material from ancient single-celled ancestors.
- 05The study could provide insights into the evolutionary origins of diseases, potentially leading to new treatment approaches.
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A groundbreaking study from Kyoto University has uncovered that human blood cells may have origins tracing back to single-celled ancestors that existed 700 million years ago. By reconstructing the evolutionary family tree of blood cells, researchers revealed that these cells evolved from early unicellular organisms, with macrophages showing the closest resemblance to these ancient forms. The analysis indicated that the first blood cells likely emerged alongside the rise of multicellular animals. The study also highlighted how various blood cell types, including mast cells and T cells, branched off from macrophages over time. Team leader Hiroshi Kawamoto expressed the emotional impact of realizing this ancient legacy circulates within our bodies today. The innovative analytical method developed during this research could also aid in understanding the evolutionary roots of diseases like cancer, potentially leading to new treatments. The findings will be published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on May 29, 2026.
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