Skip to main content
PMC home page
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 2000 Jun;108(Suppl 3):475–482. doi: 10.1289/ehp.00108s3475

Development of atopy and asthma: candidate environmental influences and important periods of exposure.

D B Peden 1
PMCID: PMC1637811  PMID: 10852847

Abstract

Atopy is a major risk factor for the development of asthma. Immune processes that lead to the development of antigen-specific IgE are essential to the development of atopy. This review examines the immune processes that are candidate targets for modulation by environmental agents; environmental and lifestyle factors that have been suggested as modulators of the development of atopy; and the impact of known environmental agents on atopic processes in the airway. The most important periods of immune development with regard to expression of atopy are likely during gestation and early childhood. A better understanding of which environmental agents are important, as well as the period of life during which these agents may exert an important effect, is essential to devising rational environmental avoidance strategies for at-risk populations.

Full text

PDF
475

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Baldini M., Lohman I. C., Halonen M., Erickson R. P., Holt P. G., Martinez F. D. A Polymorphism* in the 5' flanking region of the CD14 gene is associated with circulating soluble CD14 levels and with total serum immunoglobulin E. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 1999 May;20(5):976–983. doi: 10.1165/ajrcmb.20.5.3494. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Braun K. M., Cornish T., Valm A., Cundiff J., Pauly J. L., Fan S. Immunotoxicology of cigarette smoke condensates: suppression of macrophage responsiveness to interferon gamma. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1998 Apr;149(2):136–143. doi: 10.1006/taap.1997.8346. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Burr M. L. Indoor air pollution and the respiratory health of children. Pediatr Pulmonol Suppl. 1999;18:3–5. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Burr M. L. Indoor air pollution and the respiratory health of children. Pediatr Pulmonol Suppl. 1999;18:3–5. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Burrows B., Martinez F. D., Halonen M., Barbee R. A., Cline M. G. Association of asthma with serum IgE levels and skin-test reactivity to allergens. N Engl J Med. 1989 Feb 2;320(5):271–277. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198902023200502. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Diaz-Sanchez D., Dotson A. R., Takenaka H., Saxon A. Diesel exhaust particles induce local IgE production in vivo and alter the pattern of IgE messenger RNA isoforms. J Clin Invest. 1994 Oct;94(4):1417–1425. doi: 10.1172/JCI117478. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Diaz-Sanchez D., Tsien A., Fleming J., Saxon A. Combined diesel exhaust particulate and ragweed allergen challenge markedly enhances human in vivo nasal ragweed-specific IgE and skews cytokine production to a T helper cell 2-type pattern. J Immunol. 1997 Mar 1;158(5):2406–2413. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Duffy D. L., Martin N. G., Battistutta D., Hopper J. L., Mathews J. D. Genetics of asthma and hay fever in Australian twins. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1990 Dec;142(6 Pt 1):1351–1358. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/142.6_Pt_1.1351. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Edenharter G., Bergmann R. L., Bergmann K. E., Wahn V., Forster J., Zepp F., Wahn U. Cord blood-IgE as risk factor and predictor for atopic diseases. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Jun;28(6):671–678. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00241.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Edfors-Lubs M. L. Allergy in 7000 twin pairs. Acta Allergol. 1971 Aug;26(4):249–285. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1971.tb01300.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Erb K. J., Holloway J. W., Sobeck A., Moll H., Le Gros G. Infection of mice with Mycobacterium bovis-Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) suppresses allergen-induced airway eosinophilia. J Exp Med. 1998 Feb 16;187(4):561–569. doi: 10.1084/jem.187.4.561. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Halonen M., Stern D., Taussig L. M., Wright A., Ray C. G., Martinez F. D. The predictive relationship between serum IgE levels at birth and subsequent incidences of lower respiratory illnesses and eczema in infants. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1992 Oct;146(4):866–870. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm/146.4.866. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Holberg C. J., Morgan W. J., Wright A. L., Martinez F. D. Differences in familial segregation of FEV1 between asthmatic and nonasthmatic families. Role of a maternal component. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1998 Jul;158(1):162–169. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.158.1.9706117. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Holt P. G. Development of T-cell memory against inhalant allergens: risks for the future. Clin Exp Allergy. 1999 Jun;29 (Suppl 2):8–13. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Holt P. G., Macaubas C., Prescott S. L., Sly P. D. Microbial stimulation as an aetiologic factor in atopic disease. Allergy. 1999;54 (Suppl 49):12–16. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1999.tb04382.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Howarth P. H. Is allergy increasing?--early life influences. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Dec;28 (Suppl 6):2–7. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.0280s6002.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Huston D. P. The biology of the immune system. JAMA. 1997 Dec 10;278(22):1804–1814. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Jones C. A., Kilburn S. A., Warner J. A., Warner J. O. Intrauterine environment and fetal allergic sensitization. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Jun;28(6):655–659. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00321.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Jones C. A., Kilburn S. A., Warner J. A., Warner J. O. Intrauterine environment and fetal allergic sensitization. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Jun;28(6):655–659. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00321.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Kondo N., Kobayashi Y., Shinoda S., Takenaka R., Teramoto T., Kaneko H., Fukao T., Matsui E., Kasahara K., Yokoyama Y. Reduced interferon gamma production by antigen-stimulated cord blood mononuclear cells is a risk factor of allergic disorders--6-year follow-up study. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Nov;28(11):1340–1344. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.00418.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Lemanske R. F., Jr, Busse W. W. Asthma. JAMA. 1997 Dec 10;278(22):1855–1873. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Martinez F. D., Graves P. E., Baldini M., Solomon S., Erickson R. Association between genetic polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenoceptor and response to albuterol in children with and without a history of wheezing. J Clin Invest. 1997 Dec 15;100(12):3184–3188. doi: 10.1172/JCI119874. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Martinez F. D. Maturation of immune responses at the beginning of asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Mar;103(3 Pt 1):355–361. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70456-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Martinez F. D., Stern D. A., Wright A. L., Taussig L. M., Halonen M. Differential immune responses to acute lower respiratory illness in early life and subsequent development of persistent wheezing and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1998 Dec;102(6 Pt 1):915–920. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(98)70328-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Michel O., Kips J., Duchateau J., Vertongen F., Robert L., Collet H., Pauwels R., Sergysels R. Severity of asthma is related to endotoxin in house dust. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1996 Dec;154(6 Pt 1):1641–1646. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.154.6.8970348. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Muranaka M., Suzuki S., Koizumi K., Takafuji S., Miyamoto T., Ikemori R., Tokiwa H. Adjuvant activity of diesel-exhaust particulates for the production of IgE antibody in mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1986 Apr;77(4):616–623. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(86)90355-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Peden D. B. Mechanisms of pollution-induced airway disease: in vivo studies. Allergy. 1997;52(38 Suppl):37–58. doi: 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1997.tb04869.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Peden D. B., Tucker K., Murphy P., Newlin-Clapp L., Boehlecke B., Hazucha M., Bromberg P., Reed W. Eosinophil influx to the nasal airway after local, low-level LPS challenge in humans. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Aug;104(2 Pt 1):388–394. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70383-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Piccinni M. P., Mecacci F., Sampognaro S., Manetti R., Parronchi P., Maggi E., Romagnani S. Aeroallergen sensitization can occur during fetal life. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1993;102(3):301–303. doi: 10.1159/000236541. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Prescott S. L., Macaubas C., Holt B. J., Smallacombe T. B., Loh R., Sly P. D., Holt P. G. Transplacental priming of the human immune system to environmental allergens: universal skewing of initial T cell responses toward the Th2 cytokine profile. J Immunol. 1998 May 15;160(10):4730–4737. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Prescott S. L., Macaubas C., Holt B. J., Smallacombe T. B., Loh R., Sly P. D., Holt P. G. Transplacental priming of the human immune system to environmental allergens: universal skewing of initial T cell responses toward the Th2 cytokine profile. J Immunol. 1998 May 15;160(10):4730–4737. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Prescott S. L., Macaubas C., Smallacombe T., Holt B. J., Sly P. D., Holt P. G. Development of allergen-specific T-cell memory in atopic and normal children. Lancet. 1999 Jan 16;353(9148):196–200. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(98)05104-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Prescott S. L., Macaubas C., Smallacombe T., Holt B. J., Sly P. D., Loh R., Holt P. G. Reciprocal age-related patterns of allergen-specific T-cell immunity in normal vs. atopic infants. Clin Exp Allergy. 1998 Nov;28 (Suppl 5):39–51. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2222.1998.028s5039.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Puck J. M. Primary immunodeficiency diseases. JAMA. 1997 Dec 10;278(22):1835–1841. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Sherrill D. L., Stein R., Halonen M., Holberg C. J., Wright A., Martinez F. D. Total serum IgE and its association with asthma symptoms and allergic sensitization among children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999 Jul;104(1):28–36. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70110-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Shirakawa T., Enomoto T., Shimazu S., Hopkin J. M. The inverse association between tuberculin responses and atopic disorder. Science. 1997 Jan 3;275(5296):77–79. doi: 10.1126/science.275.5296.77. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Takafuji S., Suzuki S., Koizumi K., Tadokoro K., Miyamoto T., Ikemori R., Muranaka M. Diesel-exhaust particulates inoculated by the intranasal route have an adjuvant activity for IgE production in mice. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1987 Apr;79(4):639–645. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(87)80161-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Takafuji S., Suzuki S., Koizumi K., Tadokoro K., Ohashi H., Muranaka M., Miyamoto T. Enhancing effect of suspended particulate matter on the IgE antibody production in mice. Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol. 1989;90(1):1–7. doi: 10.1159/000234990. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Takafuji S., Suzuki S., Muranaka M., Miyamoto T. Influence of environmental factors on IgE production. Ciba Found Symp. 1989;147:188–204. doi: 10.1002/9780470513866.ch12. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Takano H., Yoshikawa T., Ichinose T., Miyabara Y., Imaoka K., Sagai M. Diesel exhaust particles enhance antigen-induced airway inflammation and local cytokine expression in mice. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1997 Jul;156(1):36–42. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.156.1.9610054. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Takenaka H., Zhang K., Diaz-Sanchez D., Tsien A., Saxon A. Enhanced human IgE production results from exposure to the aromatic hydrocarbons from diesel exhaust: direct effects on B-cell IgE production. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1995 Jan;95(1 Pt 1):103–115. doi: 10.1016/s0091-6749(95)70158-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Wang C. C., Rook G. A. Inhibition of an established allergic response to ovalbumin in BALB/c mice by killed Mycobacterium vaccae. Immunology. 1998 Mar;93(3):307–313. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2567.1998.00432.x. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Warner J. A., Miles E. A., Jones A. C., Quint D. J., Colwell B. M., Warner J. O. Is deficiency of interferon gamma production by allergen triggered cord blood cells a predictor of atopic eczema? Clin Exp Allergy. 1994 May;24(5):423–430. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1994.tb00930.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. von Mutius E., Martinez F. D., Fritzsch C., Nicolai T., Roell G., Thiemann H. H. Prevalence of asthma and atopy in two areas of West and East Germany. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1994 Feb;149(2 Pt 1):358–364. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.149.2.8306030. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES