Background & Introduction
Allergy is an IgE mediated inflammation of the mucosa or skin after exposure to allergenic substances in susceptible individuals. It is estimated to have 150 million sufferers in Europe which makes it the most common chronic disease [1]. In addition to various environmental factors, a myriad of different cells, genes and specific markers and cytokines have been proposed to play role in the pathology of allergic diseases. Understanding the underlying etiology and immunopathologic mechanisms of this disease can provide the means for development of future preventive and therapeutic measures.
A substantial number of reports have demonstrated the presence of a defect in immune-suppressive features of regulatory T cells …show more content…
The effectiveness of these biologic products has been demonstrated in a variety of inflammatory disorders including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, travelers` diarrhea, infections of upper respiratory tract, atopic eczema and ulcerative colitis [18]. Various mechanisms of action have been proposed for probiotics, of which modulation of immune system via intestinal mucosa is experimentally verified. This mechanism is shown to involve activation of regulatory functions of mucosal immune system via propagation of regulatory T cells (this process is evolutionarily devised to help bacteria escape from elimination by the mucosal immune system) [19]. This mechanism has been demonstrated to be capable of controlling allergic reaction both in the digestive system [20] and respiratory tract [21]. The mentioned biological effects have cause the probiotics to be regarded as a potential therapeutic strategy for allergy [22].
The plasticity of immune system during fetal period and also early phase of infancy have attracted scientists to study the probable effects of probiotics in modulation of immune system during these stages of life. However, the resulting data are contradicting, including reports with demonstrated benefit for mothers [23], offspring [24], or both [25]. Moreover, the significance of regulatory T cells, especially in regards to the epigenetic properties of these cells during the mentioned immunologic processes is not elucidated
Allergy is an IgE mediated inflammation of the mucosa or skin after exposure to allergenic substances in susceptible individuals. It is estimated to have 150 million sufferers in Europe which makes it the most common chronic disease [1]. In addition to various environmental factors, a myriad of different cells, genes and specific markers and cytokines have been proposed to play role in the pathology of allergic diseases. Understanding the underlying etiology and immunopathologic mechanisms of this disease can provide the means for development of future preventive and therapeutic measures.
A substantial number of reports have demonstrated the presence of a defect in immune-suppressive features of regulatory T cells …show more content…
The effectiveness of these biologic products has been demonstrated in a variety of inflammatory disorders including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, travelers` diarrhea, infections of upper respiratory tract, atopic eczema and ulcerative colitis [18]. Various mechanisms of action have been proposed for probiotics, of which modulation of immune system via intestinal mucosa is experimentally verified. This mechanism is shown to involve activation of regulatory functions of mucosal immune system via propagation of regulatory T cells (this process is evolutionarily devised to help bacteria escape from elimination by the mucosal immune system) [19]. This mechanism has been demonstrated to be capable of controlling allergic reaction both in the digestive system [20] and respiratory tract [21]. The mentioned biological effects have cause the probiotics to be regarded as a potential therapeutic strategy for allergy [22].
The plasticity of immune system during fetal period and also early phase of infancy have attracted scientists to study the probable effects of probiotics in modulation of immune system during these stages of life. However, the resulting data are contradicting, including reports with demonstrated benefit for mothers [23], offspring [24], or both [25]. Moreover, the significance of regulatory T cells, especially in regards to the epigenetic properties of these cells during the mentioned immunologic processes is not elucidated