Researchers at the University of British Columbia have shown for the first time how and why the depletion of microbes in a newborn's gut by antibiotics can lead to lifelong respiratory allergies. In a study published today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , a research team from the school of biomedical engineering (SBME) has identified a specific cascade of events that lead to allergies and asthma. In doing so, they have opened many new avenues for exploring potential preventions and treatments.
"Our research finally shows how the gut bacteria and antibiotics shape a newborn's immune system to make them more prone to allergies," said senior author Dr. Kelly McNagny (he/him) , professor in the SBME and the department of medical genetics. "When you see something like this, it really changes the way you think about chronic disease.
This is a well-sculpted pathway that can have lasting consequences on susceptibility to chronic disease as an adult." Allergies are a result of the immune system reacting too strongly to harmless substances like pollen or pet dander, and a leading cause for emergency room visits in kids. Normally, the immune system protects us from harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses and parasites.
In the case of allergies, it mistakes something harmless for a threat-;in this case, parasites-;and triggers a response that causes symptoms like sneezing, itching or swelling. The stage for our immune system's development is set very early in life. Res.