The hygiene hypothesis and the role of B cells in protection against allergic airway disease

What is it about?

This article summarizes our work on understanding the genetics and environmental influences that shape the development of the B cell repertoire in neonatal life and how antibodies derived from these B cells can protect against allergic airway disease.

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Why is it important?

Antibodies, particularly IgE, are generally considered to play an important role in the pathology of allergies. However our studies show that depending on the timing of environmental exposure to microbes, B cell derived antibodies reactive with these microbes and allergens can protect against development of allergic airway disease. These results suggest the manipulation of the developing immune system by probiotics and immunization could be used as therapy for allergic disease including asthma.