Summary
Background. To investigate and summarize the current research on the association of the gut microbiome with immune processes which contribute to the development of bronchial asthma in children. To identify and summarise the main pathways through which the gut microbiota is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Research methods. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using ClinicalKey, Elsevier and PubMED databases using the following keywords and their combinations in English: bronchial asthma in children OR pediatric asthma AND gut microbiota OR gut microbiome.
Research results. It is known that an increase in pathogenic bacteria and a reduction in beneficial bacteria in the gut elevate the risk of bronchial asthma. Conversely, children with asthma commonly have intestinal dysbiosis. Our review of the selected publications highlights the role of the lung-gut axis in linking the respiratory and digestive systems. Two main pathways of lung-gut interaction were identified: the first pathway involves T lymphocytes activated in the gut, while the second pathway involves symbiotic filamentous bacteria and gut bacterial metabolites (faecal 12,13-diHOME and short-chain fatty acids) that make up the gut microbiota. Epigenetic mechanisms also mediate interactions between the increase in inflammatory cytokines in the airways and the altered gut microbiome profile.
Conclusions. The gut microbiota, as part of the lunggut axis, modulates immune responses and inflammatory processes in airway mucosa through complex interactions. Despite the growing scientific interest in the impact of the gut microbiome on the pathogenesis of asthma, there is still a lack of longitudinal studies to support the relevance of this association in clinical practice.
