The Role of Skin-Gut-Lung Microbiome in Allergic Diseases

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), food allergy (FA), allergic asthma (AA), and allergic rhinitis (AR), are increasing globally, impacting quality of life and imposing significant burdens.
• The "atopic march" (AM) describes the progression of allergic diseases from skin to gut to respiratory tract, often starting in infancy.
• Microbiome alterations are increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the development and progression of allergic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the roles of skin, gut, and lung microbiota in AD, FA, and AA.
• To investigate the crosstalk effects of microbiota across different anatomical sites (microbiota-gut-skin, microbiota-gut-lung, microbiota-skin-lung axes).
• To identify limitations in current research and propose future research directions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on the human microbiome and allergic diseases.
• Analysis of epidemiological data and mechanistic studies.
• Exploration of inter-organ microbial communication pathways.

Main Results:

• The skin, gut, and lung microbiomes play distinct and interconnected roles in the pathogenesis of AD, FA, and AA.
• Evidence supports the existence and significance of the microbiota-gut-skin, microbiota-gut-lung, and microbiota-skin-lung axes in allergic disease development.
• Specific microbial alterations are associated with different stages and types of allergic conditions.

Conclusions:

• Microbiome dysbiosis is a central factor in the atopic march.
• Targeting microbial communities in the skin, gut, and lungs holds therapeutic potential for allergic diseases.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate microbial mechanisms and develop effective interventions.