Intestinal microbiota and its effect on the immune system--a nested case-cohort study on prevention of atopy among small children in Trondheim: the IMPACT study
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Published on: August 7, 2017
Torbjørn Øien1, Ola Storrø, Roar Johnsen
1Department of Public Health and General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), N-7489 Trondheim, Norway. torbjorn.oien@medisin.ntnu.no
Insights
This study investigates how infant gut microbiota impacts immune system development and atopic disease risk. Findings may inform early life interventions for allergies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Immunology
- Pediatric allergy
Background:
- Rising prevalence of atopic diseases in Western children suggests environmental factors, possibly reduced early-life microbial exposure.
- Prospective studies are needed to understand the gut microbiome's role in atopy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of infant gut microbiota composition on cytokine profiles.
- To determine the relationship between gut microbiota and the development of atopic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Nested case-cohort study within a primary prevention trial.
- Analysis of infant gut microbiota composition using 16S rDNA hybridization in stool samples.
- Measurement of cytokine profiles from cord blood and serial venous blood samples.
Main Results:
- Data collection ongoing; specific results not yet available in the abstract.
- The study is designed to correlate microbial composition with immune markers and disease outcomes.
Conclusions:
- The IMPACT study aims to elucidate the gut microbiome's influence on immune development and atopy.
- Findings are expected to provide insights into early-life allergy prevention strategies.
Background:
In the past 20-30 years, the prevalence of atopic diseases, particularly among children in the Western world, has increased. It has been suggested that Western lifestyle may have reduced the overall exposure to microbial stimulation early in life. The role of the gut flora in this connection has been studied, but prospective studies are in demand. Within the frame of a comprehensive controlled prospective primary prevention study of atopy and allergic diseases with the aim to reduce the incidence of atopy and allergic diseases among children from birth to six years, a nested case-cohort study is established, "The IMPACT study".
Aim:
The aim of "The IMPACT study" is to study the impact of gut microbiota composition on cytokine profile development, and on development of atopic disease.
Design:
Information on risk factors and on disease, together with biological specimens, will be collected prospectively, and analysed in a nested case-cohort design.
Method:
720 pregnant women are recruited from the control-cohort in the PACT study. The composition of the infant gut microbiota is analysed in stool samples from all children with atopic disease, and randomly selected children sensitized and not sensitized at age 2, at 4, 7, 10 days after birth, and at age 4, 12 and 24 months. 16S rDNA hybridisation technique will be used to specify and quantify the microbial composition in faeces. Cord blood from the same children and venous blood at age 10 days, 4, 12 and 24 months are collected to study the cytokine profile at different ages, in relation to microbial stimulation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are stored in liquid nitrogen, and faeces are stored at -80 degrees C. Atopic children will be identified by questionnaire, and the diagnosis confirmed by paediatric examination at age 2 years.
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