Immunological analysis of primary prevention of atopic diseases in high risk infants by oral treatment with a lysate of non-pathogenic bacteria

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Eckard Hamelmann
• Subject Area: Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine
• Term: from 2008 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 58959037

New innovative strategies are required to stop the vast increase of atopic diseases. Numerous epidemiological studies have described the rural life-style as a protective factor that lessens the risk of developing atopic disorders. This protective “farm effect” was attributed to the intensive exposure with immune-modulating ubiquitous dust components such as bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) during early infancy. In our mouse model of allergen-mediated sensitization and airway inflammation we recently showed that exposure of neonates with ovalbumin and LPSs via the airways induces mucosal tolerance and a common allergy-suppressing Th1-immune response. Based on these strong animal experimental data, in the present prospective double-blind placebo-controlled interventional trial, infants with at least one atopic parent are treated orally with a lysate of non-pathogenic strains of Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli between the first and seventh month of life. Postulated immune-modulatory effects of the bacterial components on the developing immune-system will be examined by (1) clinical manifestation of atopic eczema and recurrent wheezing, (2) sensitisation to food and inhalant allergens as well as by (3) cellular immune responses to allergens and LPSs in vitro, (4) RNA-expression patterns of receptors for the used bacterial components and (5) of regulatory transcription factors on blood leucocytes within a three year follow-up period. The immunological parameters will be correlated to postulated genetic markers for atopy, endotoxin and allergen contents in house dust, the gut flora of the children, and diet relevant substances measured in sera from mother and child as well as in breast milk, which are respectively investigated at various time points.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Persons: Dr. Kerstin Gerhold; Professorin Dr. Susanne Lau