The role of gut microbiota and vitamin D in the development of atopic dermatitis and food allergies in children

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota and vitamin D may be instrumental in the development of atopic responses (atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and food allergies) in children. Various diseases or immune pathologies, in particular atopic dermatitis and food allergies, are among manifestations of an imbalance in the composition of gut microorganisms. On top of that, vitamin D is a significant contributor both to modulating the gut microbiome composition and to diverse immune responses from innate and adaptive immunity, which affords ground for studying the relationship between these aspects in the context of the development of atopic conditions. So far, the relationship between the gut microbiota, vitamin D, and the development of these conditions in children has not been sufficiently explored.

AIM: To study the relationship between the gut microbiota imbalance and immune disorders, in particular the development of food allergies and atopic dermatitis in children; to identify the relationship between bacterial signatures and vitamin D concentrations in children with atopic dermatitis and food allergies.

METHODS: The 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene of 150 fecal samples from children aged 3 to 12 years was sequenced. The concentration of vitamin D in the participants’ blood serum was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thereafter, the relationship between certain bacterial signatures and serum 25(OH)D concentration was characterized through the use of statistical models (regression tree, correlation analysis, and linear regression).

RESULTS: In all mathematical models used, vitamin D concentration turned out to be associated with bacterial families important for atopy, such as Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Sutterellaceae. The results showed that dysbiosis coupled with vitamin D deficiency is typical of the atopic profile, which may indicate the influence of these conditions on the immune system imbalance toward the Th2 response and, consequently, on the development of allergic conditions.

CONCLUSION: Certain bacterial patterns specific to atopy are associated with vitamin D concentration in blood serum. In consequence of the study, we concluded that the gut microbiota and vitamin D may be systematically involved in modulating immune responses. Further research is needed to attain full comprehension of the mechanisms underlying these associations and to determine the most efficient interventions for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune conditions.

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About the authors

Irina G. Kalashnikova

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Author for correspondence.
Email: igkalashnikova@cspfmba.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-8764-3286
SPIN-code: 4203-1495

MD

Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

Alexsandra I. Nekrasova

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Email: akinshina@cspfmba.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7951-2003
SPIN-code: 8168-0163

MD

Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

Anna V. Korobeinikova

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Email: akorobeinikova@cspfmba.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0003-0556-9343
SPIN-code: 7221-8903
Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

Angelica V. Zagainova

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Email: azagaynova@cspmz.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4772-9686
SPIN-code: 6642-7819

Cand. Sci. (Biology)

Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

Natalia V. Lavrushkina

Email: nlavrushkina@cspfmba.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0007-2831-0712

Vladimir S. Yudin

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Email: vyudin@cspfmba.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-9199-6258
SPIN-code: 7592-9020

Cand. Sci. (Biology)

Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

Valentin V. Makarov

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Email: makarov@cspfmba.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9495-0266
SPIN-code: 7842-8808

Cand. Sci. (Biology)

Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

Anton A. Keskinov

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Email: keskinov@cspfmba.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7378-983X
SPIN-code: 7178-5020

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine)

Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

Sergey M. Yudin

Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency

Email: yudin@cspmz.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7942-8004
SPIN-code: 9706-5936

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor

Russian Federation, bldg 1, 10 Pogodinskaja st, Moscow, 119121

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2. Fig. 1. Effect of vitamin D concentration on intestinal microbiota and development of atopy. IL — interleukin.

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3. Fig. 2. Study participants.

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4. Fig. 3. Concentration of vitamin D in the serum of participants by groups: a — frequency distribution of 25(OH)D concentration in participants; b — 25(OH)D concentration by groups; × — sample mean.

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5. Fig. 4. Regression tree for vitamin D as an independent variable. Ribosomal databases: a — RDP, b — SILVA. Tree nodes correspond to the threshold values of variables for classification into groups. The concentration of 25(OH)D is given in ng/ml, n is the minimum number of patients for the specified threshold, respectively. Tree branches correspond to the number of taxon representatives for the group, p < 0.05.

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