Study: Probiotic modulation of the immune system relieves hay fever symptoms
Griffith's research team at the Menzies Health Institute QLD carried out the analysis, which examined changes in systemic and mucosal immune gene expression in a subgroup of individuals, classified as either responders or non-responders based on improvement of AR symptoms in response to the probiotic supplement.
The report notes that previous evidence suggesting that probiotics can produce clinically meaningful improvements in rhinitis symptoms is mixed and may be confounded by issues related to study design.
Method
The assessment, published in the journal Genes, established criteria of a beneficial change in the mini-rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (mRQLQ). Systemic and mucosal immune gene expression was assessed using nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling (Nanostring Technologies, Seattle, WA, USA) kit on blood samples and a nasal lysate.
There were 414 immune genes in the blood and 312 immune genes in the mucosal samples expressed above the background threshold.
Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of immune genes separated responders from non-responders in blood and mucosal samples at baseline and after supplementation, with key T-cell immune genes differentially expressed between the groups.
The report states: "Striking differences in biological processes and pathways were evident in nasal mucosa but not blood in responders compared to non-responders.
"These findings support the use of network approaches to understand probiotic-induced changes to the immune system."
Dr. Pete Smith of Queensland Allergy Services and a member of the study team said, "our study may allow us to personalise probiotic treatment for individuals with seasonal allergic rhinitis."
Dr. Nic West of Griffith University added that the results will allow researchers to conduct targeted research to find strategies people can use during the pollen season.
Source: Genes
West et al.
“Digital Immune Gene Expression Profiling Discriminates Allergic Rhinitis Responders from Non-Responders to Probiotic Supplementation”
