Advances and novel developments in environmental influences on the development of atopic diseases

Abstract

Both genes and the environment shape human health and disease. Although IgE-mediated allergic diseases (atopic diseases) have a genetic component and are more prevalent in individuals with a family history of allergic disease, the observed rapid increases in allergic diseases suggest that environmental factors are the predominant driving forces behind these increases rather than genetic alterations. 1,2 Common atopic diseases include atopic dermatitis, food allergy, allergic rhinitis, and allergic asthma. Human diets and lifestyle have undergone major alterations. The exposome, which is the sum total of all the exposures of an individual in a lifetime, has undergone major shifts in the last few decades, affecting human health and disease. A number of environmental factors have been implicated in the increased prevalence of allergic diseases. Predominant among them are increased exposure to pollutants and decreased exposure to microbes and parasitic infections. Air pollution has increased significantly in the last few decades. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that increased hygiene and lack of exposure to microbes and parasitic infections at an early age prevents the necessary stimulus to train the immune system to develop tolerogenic responses. Lifestyle factors,

Mechanisms of microbe-immune system dialogue within the skin

“…Recent decades have seen a rapid increase in chronic inflammatory disorders due to inappropriate or misdirected immune responses accompanied by insufficient development of immune regulatory networks. It is generally accepted that changes in environment, lifestyle and dietary factors may play a role in the miseducation or deficient training of the immune system [ 1 , 2 ]. In particular, factors that negatively impact microbial diversity and metabolism are thought to dramatically influence mechanisms of immunological tolerance [ 3 ].…”

Preventing Atopic Diseases During Childhood – Early Exposure Matters

“…However, allergic diseases are also common in many children who do not belong to this risk groups. Besides genetic factors, various environmental conditions such as exhaust fumes or smoke play an important role in the development of allergic diseases ( 28 , 29 ). Minimizing those factors that irritate the organism is crucial for the primary prevention of allergies.…”

The role of soils in provision of genetic, medicinal and biochemical resources

“…from food, plants, farm animals, pets etc. [162]. Vice versa , children raised under hyper-hygienic conditions may be more susceptible to atopic diseases when they grow up [163,164].…”

“…There is growing evidence that exposure to soil microorganisms lessens the prevalence of allergic and other atopic diseases [158][159][160]. The current interpretation is that our immune system needs to be exposed to the complex soil biodiversity in order to develop tolerance and to lower the risk of allergies and other immunity-related disorders [161,162]. Thereby, soil contact should be part of a multitude of interactions with environmental microbiota encompassing possible pathogens, e.g.…”