The gut microbiota, environmental factors, and links to the development of food allergy

Abstract

Food allergy appears to have its roots in an insufficient exposure to a diverse range of environmental microbiota during early life. Microbial exposure ensures the colonization of the gastrointestinal tract with commensal microbes, which is necessary for the induction of a balanced and tolerogenic immune function. High-throughput sequencing technology has facilitated in-depth studies of the gut microbiota as well as bacterial-derived metabolites. Although the role of the microbiota in allergies is now widely studied, its importance for food allergy was only recently noted. Studies in human cohorts have shown that there is an association of dysbiosis and pathogenesis of food allergy, while studies from animal models have demonstrated the capacity of specific species in the gut microbiota to alter immune response, which may lead to the desensitization of food allergy. This article reviews the role of the gut microbiota in food allergy, and discusses the influence of environmental factors as well as prevention and management strategies relating to such regulatory mechanism.

Dietary Prevention of Atopic March in Pediatric Subjects With Cow's Milk Allergy

“…Interestingly, one recent study highlighted the ability of specific HMOs, pulled from human milk, to induce the maturation of human monocytederived dendritic cells (DC) (moDC). The derived HMO moDC are able to promote T reg induction from native CD4 + T cells, with a final tolerogenic effect on the infant's immune system (49); but the best characterized HMO properties are related to the prebiotic modulation of early microbial gut colonization with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which are involved in the production of tolerogenic metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), in particular, butyrate (41,(50)(51)(52)(53)(54). Supporting this view, it has been reported that the GM of allergic infants lacks genes encoding key enzymes for HMO metabolization with the consequent impairment of butyrate production (55).…”

The Global Rise and the Complexity of Sesame Allergy: Prime Time to Regulate Sesame in the United States of America?

“…The role of genetics in resistance vs. susceptibility to develop sesame allergies needs to be determined. Knowledge about what kind of environmental factors favor development of sesame allergy are largely unknown [97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105].…”

“…Several exposure conditions (e.g., environmental toxicants, triclosan, parabens, food preservatives, misuse of antibiotics, Vitamin D deficiency, sunlight exposure, dog ownership, excess use of antacids etc.,) that are currently being explored for other food allergies should provide the starting points of research [97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105].…”

Human microbiome and allergy

“…3 Short-chain fatty acids, the main product of the digestive action of the gut microbiota, are viewed as a critical factor in promoting immunological tolerance, influencing the metabolism and determining epigenetic changes in DNA. 2 They reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17, inducing anti-inflammatory mediators, including IL-10.…”