Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 9, 2025
05:31
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
10.7K
Early life microbial exposures and allergy risks: opportunities for prevention
Harald Renz1, Chrysanthi Skevaki2
1Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Philipps University Marburg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Marburg, Germany. harald.renz@uk-gm.de.
Nature Reviews. Immunology
|September 12, 2020
Summary
Rising allergy rates, including asthma and atopic dermatitis, are linked to lifestyle changes impacting the microbiota. Modernization disrupts microbial exposure, influencing immune responses and allergy development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Allergies such as asthma, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis are increasing globally, especially in westernized nations.
- While genetic factors play a role, lifestyle changes associated with modernization are increasingly implicated in this rise.
- These lifestyle shifts include altered birth practices, antibiotic use, diet, obesity, and changes in indoor/outdoor activity patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key allergy risk factors linked to changes in microbial exposure.
- To explore the application of this knowledge in developing allergy prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the impact of environmental and lifestyle factors on the human microbiota.
- Analysis of how microbial exposure influences early immune system development.
- Synthesis of current understanding of allergy risk factors related to microbial interactions.
Main Results:
- Modernization-related lifestyle changes significantly impact the diversity and composition of the human microbiota (bacterial, viral, fungal).
- Disruption of the microbiota by these factors interferes with normal immune system programming.
- Specific environmental and lifestyle factors are identified as critical in modulating allergy risk through microbial pathways.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the interplay between lifestyle, microbiota, and immune responses is crucial for allergy prevention.
- Targeting microbial exposure and its effects on the immune system offers potential strategies for mitigating allergy prevalence.
- Further research into microbial-mediated immune development can inform public health interventions against allergic diseases.
Related Concept Videos
02:06Allergic Reactions
31.4K
Overview
31.4K
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
3.2K
Asthma is a chronic respiratory ailment that requires careful management due to its varying symptoms and influencing factors. It is characterized by airway inflammation, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and reversible airflow obstruction, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. The symptom frequency and intensity may vary considerably over time. It is also linked to immune system responses to allergens and irritants, highlighting the complex...
3.2K
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
13.1K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
13.1K
01:29Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics
749
Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
749
01:20Infection
11.2K
When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
11.2K
01:22Development of Immunocompetence
612
The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
612