Project 467169

Allergic diseases such as food allergies and asthma are increasing worldwide, with approximately 30% of the global population currently affected. Increasing evidence suggests that early-life environmental factors may, at least in part, drive allergic disease. Previously, we have shown in animal models and human birth cohorts that alterations in the bacteria newborns are exposed to can profoundly influence the development of allergic disease. More recently, by examining the types of cell present in human umbilical cord blood, we discovered that children who go on to develop allergies later in life already display differences in their blood cells at birth. These preliminary data suggest that susceptibility to allergic disease may already be established during pregnancy when a child develops in the womb. Accordingly, this research aims to use a mouse model to investigate whether maternal environmental exposures during pregnancy affect future susceptibility to allergy. Successful completion of this research could lead to simple new strategies, such as dietary modifications during pregnancy, that may prevent the chances of newborns and adolescents developing allergic diseases.