Intestinal microbiota and allergy

Abstract

Accumulating results from human and mouse studies, intestinal microbiota play critical roles in the development of immune system of the host and the induction of oral tolerance to ingested food antigens. Clinical observations that the smaller numbers of lactobacillus were found in the stool of children with allergic diseases than those of normal children lead to establish the clinical efficacy of the administration of probiotics to high-risk pregnant women in order to prevent the development of atopic dermatitis in their offspring. However, the precise mechanisms of this effect remain uncertain. In addition, the administration of probiotics showed no effects on the IgE production or development of allergic diseases except atopic dermatitis in the offspring. The mechanisms by which intestinal microbiota influence immune system of the host, in particular induction of oral tolerance should be elucidated in the future, and useful probiotics facilitating oral immunotherapy for food allergy patients will be desired.