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Deckers, J.* ; Marsland, B.J.* ; von Mutius, E.

Protection against allergies: Microbes, immunity and the farming effect.

Eur. J. Immunol., DOI: 10.1002/eji.202048938 (2021)
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The prevalence of asthma and other allergic diseases has rapidly increased in 'Westernized' countries over recent decades. This rapid increase suggests the involvement of environmental factors, behavioral changes or lifestyle, rather than genetic drift. It has become increasingly clear that the microbiome plays a key role in educating the host immune system and thus regulation of disease susceptibility. This review will focus on recent advances uncovering immunological and microbial mechanisms that protect against allergies, in particular within the context of a farming environment. A whole body of epidemiological data disclosed the nature of the protective exposures in a farm. Current evidence points towards an important role of the host microbiome in setting an immunological equilibrium that determines progression towards, or protection against allergic diseases. Conclusive mechanistic insights on how microbial exposures prevent from developing allergic diseases in humans is still lacking but findings from experimental models reveal plausible immunological mechanisms. Gathering further knowledge on these mechanisms and confirming their relevance in humans is of great importance in order to develop preventive strategies for children at risk of developing allergies.
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Publication type Article: Journal article
Document type Review
Corresponding Author
Keywords Allergy ; Asthma ; Diet ; Farm Effect ; Microbiome; Barrier Epithelial-cells; Regulatory T-cells; House-dust; Early-life; Airway Inflammation; Hay-fever; Dendritic Cells; Innate Immunity; Early-childhood; Reduced Risk
ISSN (print) / ISBN 0014-2980
e-ISSN 1521-4141
Journal European Journal of Immunology
Publisher Wiley
Publishing Place Hoboken
Non-patent literature Publications
Reviewing status Peer reviewed
Institute(s) Institute of Asthma and Allergy Prevention (IAP)
Grants National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australia
Flanders Research Foundation (FWO)
Longfonds - Lung Foundation, Netherlands (A World Without Asthma (AWWA) Consortium)