Abstract
The ultimate aim of the immune system is to eliminate pathogens without being harmful to the host. But what if eliminating the pathogen in itself is discomforting for the host? One such emerging case is of Helicobacter pylori. Modern medicine, infantile vaccination, and ultra-hygienic conditions have led to progressive disappearance of H. pylori in different parts of the world. However, the adversities caused by H. pylori’s absence are much larger than those caused by its presence. Asthma is rising as an epidemic in last few decades and several reports suggest an inverse-relationship between H. pylori’s persistence and early-life onset asthma. Regulatory T cells play an important role in both the cases. This is further supported by experiments on mouse-models. Hence, need of the hour is to discern the relationship between H. pylori and its host and eliminating its negative impacts without disturbing our indigenous microbiota. To resolve whether H. pylori is a pathogen or an amphibiont is another important side. This review explores the biological basis of H. pylori-induced priming of immune system offering resistance to childhood-onset asthma. HP-NAP–Tregs interaction has been predicted using molecular docking and dynamic simulation.
Highlights
Ever since it was proposed that a reduced exposure to infectious diseases during childhood was correlated with the development of allergies later in life (Strachan, 1989), the so-called hygiene hypothesis has become a topic for active research
We propose that the direct interaction of HP-NAP with host Treg receptors results in the modulation of the host immune system to allow H. pylori persistence and at the same time suppression of the immune response to act against asthma inducing allergens
Along with numerous positive aspects, improvements in sanitation and usage of antibiotics bring about significant changes in our indigenous microbiota
Summary
Ever since it was proposed that a reduced exposure to infectious diseases during childhood was correlated with the development of allergies later in life (Strachan, 1989), the so-called hygiene hypothesis has become a topic for active research. The hypothesis has grown in two opposite directions as far as complexity of the problem is concerned. In its most reductionist form, especially in popular discourse, it is reduced to the notion that an aseptic ‘western’ lifestyle leads to a higher incidence and earlier development of allergies. The counterpoint is that the situation is much more complex, and a more accurate statement would be that “using antibiotics, antibacterial soaps, and clean environments cause increased risk of allergies” (Graham-Rowe, 2011). As living conditions have improved (both in the developed nations and the developing nations), drastic changes have occurred in lifestyles and standards of living, which have distanced humans
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