Faculty mentor/PI email address
venkatar@rowan.edu
Keywords
Gut microbiome, infant immunity, allergy development, immune tolerance, early-life exposure, pregnancy
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Introduction: The infant gut microbiome plays a critical role in immune system development during the early-life “window of immune education.”1 Microbial colonization influences immune tolerance through mechanisms such as regulatory T-cell (Treg) induction, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and mucosal immune regulation. Disruptions in this process (dysbiosis) are associated with increased risk of allergic diseases, including food allergy, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. Environmental and maternal factors such as delivery mode, antibiotic exposure, and feeding practices significantly impact microbial composition and immune outcomes.2
Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed with search terms related to the gut microbiome, immune tolerance, allergic disease, and early life. Filters included human studies and infant populations. Studies evaluating microbial composition, immune mechanisms, and clinical allergy outcomes were included for analysis.
Results: Consistent findings demonstrate that reduced microbial diversity and decreased abundance of beneficial taxa such as Bifidobacterium are strongly associated with increased allergy risk. Key mechanisms include impaired Treg function, decreased SCFA production, and increased Th2-mediated inflammation. Cesarean delivery and antibiotic exposure were linked to altered colonization and higher allergy risk, while breastfeeding, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and probiotic interventions promoted microbial diversity and immune tolerance. Across studies, low microbial diversity (87%) and reduced Bifidobacterium (80%) were the most strongly associated risk factors, whereas SCFA production (73%) and probiotic/HMO interventions (67%) demonstrated protective effects.
Discussion: Early-life microbial composition is a key determinant of immune tolerance and allergic disease development. Dysbiosis disrupts immune regulation, promoting allergic sensitization. These findings support microbiome-targeted interventions, including probiotics, prebiotics, and maternal dietary strategies, as promising approaches for allergy prevention in infants. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to optimize timing and personalization of these therapies.
References:
-
Hoskinson C, Dai DLY, Del Bel KL, et al. Delayed gut microbiota maturation in the first year of life is a hallmark of pediatric allergic disease. Nat Commun. 2023;14:4785.
-
Depner M, et al. Environmental and dietary determinants of infant microbiome and allergic outcomes. Allergy. 2022.
Disciplines
Digestive System Diseases | Immune System Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences
What is the role of the gut microbiome in modulating immune tolerance and the development of allergic disease in infants?
Introduction: The infant gut microbiome plays a critical role in immune system development during the early-life “window of immune education.”1 Microbial colonization influences immune tolerance through mechanisms such as regulatory T-cell (Treg) induction, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and mucosal immune regulation. Disruptions in this process (dysbiosis) are associated with increased risk of allergic diseases, including food allergy, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. Environmental and maternal factors such as delivery mode, antibiotic exposure, and feeding practices significantly impact microbial composition and immune outcomes.2
Methods: A literature review was conducted using PubMed with search terms related to the gut microbiome, immune tolerance, allergic disease, and early life. Filters included human studies and infant populations. Studies evaluating microbial composition, immune mechanisms, and clinical allergy outcomes were included for analysis.
Results: Consistent findings demonstrate that reduced microbial diversity and decreased abundance of beneficial taxa such as Bifidobacterium are strongly associated with increased allergy risk. Key mechanisms include impaired Treg function, decreased SCFA production, and increased Th2-mediated inflammation. Cesarean delivery and antibiotic exposure were linked to altered colonization and higher allergy risk, while breastfeeding, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and probiotic interventions promoted microbial diversity and immune tolerance. Across studies, low microbial diversity (87%) and reduced Bifidobacterium (80%) were the most strongly associated risk factors, whereas SCFA production (73%) and probiotic/HMO interventions (67%) demonstrated protective effects.
Discussion: Early-life microbial composition is a key determinant of immune tolerance and allergic disease development. Dysbiosis disrupts immune regulation, promoting allergic sensitization. These findings support microbiome-targeted interventions, including probiotics, prebiotics, and maternal dietary strategies, as promising approaches for allergy prevention in infants. Further longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to optimize timing and personalization of these therapies.
References:
-
Hoskinson C, Dai DLY, Del Bel KL, et al. Delayed gut microbiota maturation in the first year of life is a hallmark of pediatric allergic disease. Nat Commun. 2023;14:4785.
-
Depner M, et al. Environmental and dietary determinants of infant microbiome and allergic outcomes. Allergy. 2022.