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Perinatal programming of asthma: the role of gut microbiota

Meghan B Azad1, Anita L Kozyrskyj

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 87th Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G IC9. meghan.azad@ualberta.ca

Clinical & Developmental Immunology
|November 24, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal programming links early life exposures to asthma via the gut microbiome. Factors like birth mode and antibiotic use alter infant gut bacteria, influencing immune development and asthma risk.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiome research

Background:

  • Perinatal programming theory links early environmental exposures to later disease, primarily cardiovascular disease.
  • Epigenetic mechanisms are increasingly studied for asthma development.
  • The infant intestinal microbiota is crucial for immune system development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present evidence for perinatal programming of asthma through the intestinal microbiome.
  • To summarize recent findings on how infant gut microbiota modifications influence asthma development.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of recent research findings.
  • Focus on factors modifying infant gut microbiota: caesarean delivery, breastfeeding, perinatal stress, probiotics, and antibiotics.

Main Results:

  • The intestinal microbiota plays an independent and interactive role in asthma development.
  • Disruptions to the infant gut microbiota are linked to increased asthma risk.
  • Specific perinatal factors (e.g., caesarean delivery, antibiotic use) are identified as key modifiers.

Conclusions:

  • The intestinal microbiome is a critical mediator in the perinatal programming of asthma.
  • Understanding these microbiome-mediated pathways can inform asthma prevention strategies.

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