In:
Science Immunology, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Vol. 8, No. 87 ( 2023-09-29)
Abstract:
The hygiene hypothesis proposes that early-life exposure to microbes protects against the development of allergies, a possible explanation for the alarming rise in allergic disorders in developed countries. However, a causal link between early-life infections and allergies is lacking. To uncover the impact of lifelong microbial exposure on the development of allergic inflammation, Ma and Urgard et al . compared experimental wildling mice, which have a representative breadth of naturally occurring pathogens, to specific pathogen–free mice. Surprisingly, when challenged with allergens, wildlings developed robust signs of pathological inflammation and allergic responses, with rapid expansion of T H 2 cells in the lungs. The study identifies that increased microbial biodiversity in wildlings did not protect against allergic inflammation, in contrast to what would be predicted by the hygiene hypothesis. —Hannah Isles
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2470-9468
DOI:
10.1126/sciimmunol.adf7702
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publication Date:
2023