Microbiome and the development of allergies

The microbiome and its metabolites play an important role in the development of allergies. Since the first description of the "farm effect", many new insights have been gained, but at the same time many questions are still open, and a preventive formula is still a long way ahead. Finding this formula is a central scientific task in this decade. The current state of knowledge already shows that the development of the immune system and the unfolding of the microbiome are closely linked at the beginning of life, first and foremost in the intestine. Dysbiosis or disturbances in the development of the gut microbiota in early childhood contribute to an increased risk of atopy or asthma in later childhood. In the PASTURE study, the maturation of the gut microbiome and the presence of certain microbiome metabolites in the first year of life have been shown to play a significant role in the asthma-protective effect observed in earlier farm studies in children. These studies showed that changes in overall bacterial composition are far more important than the role and presence of individual taxa. Via a gut-lung immune axis, microbial communities appear to be asthma-protective. Relevant microbial metabolites include short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) such as butyrate, which are thought to have particular immunomodulatory roles. Both metabolites have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and can thereby reduce inflammatory responses. Products of microbial carbohydrate metabolism may also be protective and are currently being studied in more detail. Overall, it is clear that preventive measures should take place in the first year of life, when the gut microbiome is particularly malleable and susceptible to change. Research on allergy prevention is not standing still, but so far only a few clear recommendations for action can be made. For example, the benefits of the frequently discussed prebiotics and probiotics with regard to allergy prevention are the subject of controversial debate, as the available studies are still somewhat sparse. The highly exciting studies on the role of lipocalins (for example, ss-lactoglobulin), lipopolysaccharide, bacterial lysates, an active ingredient from larval products of the helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus bakeri, and fungi also look promising and give rise to hope for an effective allergy prevention strategy.     «

The microbiome and its metabolites play an important role in the development of allergies. Since the first description of the "farm effect", many new insights have been gained, but at the same time many questions are still open, and a preventive formula is still a long way ahead. Finding this formula is a central scientific task in this decade. The current state of knowledge already shows that the development of the immune system and the unfolding of the microbiome are closely linked at the begi...     »