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Maternal influence in the transmission of asthma susceptibility

Edward G Barrett1

  • 1Respiratory Immunology and Asthma Program, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA. tbarrett@lrri.org <tbarrett@lrri.org>

Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|August 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Maternal immune factors influence fetal development, potentially increasing a child's risk for asthma. Understanding this maternal influence may lead to new prevention strategies for allergic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Maternal-Fetal Immunology
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Asthma is a prevalent childhood chronic disease with rising rates.
  • Genetic and allergen exposures are known risk factors for asthma.
  • Maternal mediation of fetal-infant immune responses to allergens is increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the maternal role in fetal-infant immune development related to allergens.
  • To clarify the mechanisms linking maternal influence to allergic sensitization and asthma.
  • To identify potential targets for preventing allergic sensitization and asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current evidence on maternal immune environment during pregnancy.
  • Analysis of immune system development in offspring exposed to maternal factors.
  • Investigation of the transition from Th2 to Th1 immune responses.

Main Results:

  • Maternal environment typically promotes a Th2-skewed fetal immune response.
  • A normal transition to a non-allergic Th1 response occurs post-birth.
  • Maternal allergic status may delay this transition, increasing asthma risk.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal immune factors significantly impact fetal-infant immune programming.
  • Delayed immune maturation in offspring is linked to increased allergy and asthma risk.
  • Further research into maternal-fetal immune interactions is crucial for developing preventive therapies.

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