eMedicineLive

The growing incidence of asthma and other immune related disorders in the West has been bothering the physicians for a long time. Now, a new research has pointed out that exposure to farm environment in early life affects the immune system in such a manner that there is a reduction in the immune response to various food proteins.

 

The research which has been published in the latest issue of the journal Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, was carried out by scientists from the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Sciences. It found that when exposed to the complex farm environment, the number of regulatory T- lymphocytes in a mammal increase. These cells are responsible for a dampened immune response to food allergens. The researchers carried out their study on piglets. Soon after their birth, while some piglets were left on the farm and nursed by their mothers, their siblings were raised in the hygienic conditions of a laboratory where they were fed on formula milk.

 

The number of T- lymphocytes in the lamina propria of the intestine as well as their response to food proteins was compared in both the sets of piglets. It was seen that while the population of effector T- cells was considerably high in the laboratory raised piglets, the number of regulatory T- cells was higher in farm animals. Because of the increased number of effector T- cells, the lab animals showed an exaggerated serum Ig G anti- soya response to dietary soya protein. This response was much high as compared to that in farm animals. The study for the first time demonstrated the effect of early life farm environment on both the development of the components of the mucosal immune system and the immune response to food proteins.

 

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