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Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports 11/2018

01-11-2018 | Basic and Applied Science (I Lewkowich, Section Editor)

TLR Activation and Allergic Disease: Early Life Microbiome and Treatment

Authors: Kathryn R. Michels, Nicholas W. Lukacs, Wendy Fonseca

Published in: Current Allergy and Asthma Reports | Issue 11/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Allergy and asthma are growing problems in the developed world. The accelerated increase of these diseases may be related to microbiome modification that leads to aberrant activation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Current research supports the concept that changes in microbial communities in early life impact TLR activation, resulting in an altered risk for the development of asthma and allergies.

Recent Findings

Prenatal and early childhood events that generate microbiome modification are closely related with TLR activation. Early childhood exposure to a rich array of TLR agonists, particularly lipopolysaccharide, strongly predicts protection against allergic disease later in life even when other lifestyle factors are accounted for. Genetic deletion of TLR signaling components in mice results in reduced function of tolerogenic cell populations in the gut. In contrast, weak TLR signaling can promote allergic sensitization later in life.

Summary

This review summarizes the role of TLR signaling in microbiome-mediated protection against allergy.
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Metadata
Title
TLR Activation and Allergic Disease: Early Life Microbiome and Treatment
Authors
Kathryn R. Michels
Nicholas W. Lukacs
Wendy Fonseca
Publication date
01-11-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports / Issue 11/2018
Print ISSN: 1529-7322
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6315
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-018-0815-5

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