House dust exposure mediates gut microbiome Lactobacillus enrichment and airway immune defense against allergens and virus infection.

ABSTRACT: Exposure to dogs in early infancy has been shown to reduce the risk of childhood allergic disease development, and dog ownership is associated with a distinct house dust microbial exposure. Here, we demonstrate, using murine models, that exposure of mice to dog-associated house dust protects against ovalbumin or cockroach allergen-mediated airway pathology. Protected animals exhibited significant reduction in the total number of airway T cells, down-regulation of Th2-related airway responses, as well as mucin secretion. Following dog-associated dust exposure, the cecal microbiome of protected animals was extensively restructured with significant enrichment of, amongst others, Lactobacillus johnsonii. Supplementation of wild-type animals with L. johnsonii protected them against both airway

SUBMITTER: Fujimura KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3896155 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature