The 109th Abbott Nutrition Research Conference

November 13-14, 2008
Columbus, Ohio

Mucosal Immune Development
and Dietary Influences

The objective of this research conference was to reach a better understanding of the role of mucosal immune development and the role of dietary components in this development. The conference also explored understanding the impact of mucosal immunity on systemic immunity and what health benefits can be realized by the use of these dietary components in pediatric populations.

Keynote Address: Mucosal Immunology: The Gateway to the Immune System
Per Brandtzaeg, PhD, University of Oslo, Norway
The power of our immune system is a result of co-evolution in which commensal bacteria and parasites have shaped the mechanisms of both innate and adaptive immunity.¹ Notably the adaptive immune system developed rather late in the phylogeny...more

 

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Immunity and Tolerance in the Intestine
Stephen McSorley, PhD, University of Minnesota, USA
Anatomical specialization of the mucosa and associated lymphoid tissue suggests that induction of a mucosal immune response will have certain unique features that affect the success of oral vaccines...more

 

Flora-induced Immunoregulation of Allergic and Inflammatory Disease
Cathryn Nagler, PhD, Harvard Medical School, USA
Increrasing eveidence suggets that immunomodulatory molecules on the commensal microbiata play an important role in regulating immune responsiveness.  Recent work has begun to reveal the broad role of microbiota-derived signals...more

 

Discussion, Part 1
Leader: Cathryn Nagler, PhD, Harvard Medical School, USA
Dr. Nagler:  I want to start the discussion with the concept of dysbiosis.  This table is taken from a recent commentary by Balfour Sartor...more

 

Role of Th1/Th2/Th3 Regulatory T Cells in Mucosal Immune Development
Fernando Chirdo, PhD, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina
The gastrointestinal tract is in constant contact with food proteins, commensals, and potentially pathogenic microorganisms.  To maintain immune homeostasis in this environment, the intestinal immune system has...more
 

Role of Commensal Flora in Mucosal Immune Development
Kathy McCoy, PhD, McMaster University, Canada
Microbial species are able to colonize and populate an incredibly diverse range of different microenvironments on our planet.  However, while the density of the microbiota found in soils or other geological or marine habitats typically reach up...more

 

Microbial Components as Modulators of Mucosal Immunity
Jim Versalovic, MD, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
Beneficial microbes and probiotics may modulate mucosal immunity, and our evolving understanding of the human microbiome will provide fundamental insights into key aspects of pediatric nutrition.  The human intestinal tract...more

 

Discussion, Part 2
Leader: John Bienenstock, MD, McMaster University, Canada
Dr. Bienenstock:  No one has mentioned the nervous system, and it would be unwise, in my opinion, to ignore it.  There is no question that nerves can control immune response.  A recent paper reports that the vagus nerve can control B-cell production indirectly...more

 

Early Nutrition, Including the Role of Breast Milk, and Modulation of Tolerogenic and Immunogenic Responses
Ricardo Rueda, PhD, MD, Abbott Nutrition, Spain
The largest component of the immune system is located in the intestine.  A key feature of the intestinal immune system is its ability to discriminate between invasive pathogens, for which it generates strong protective immunity against infections...more

 

Clinical Evidence for the Role of Prebiotics in Mucosal Immune Development and Impact on Respiratory Health and Allergy
Guido Moro, MD, University of Milan, Italy
The broad consensus is that breastfed infants grow and develop differently than artificially fed infants.¹ Breastfed infants have a reduced incidence of allergic or atopic diseases,^2-4 as well as of infections,^5-7 in comparison to bottle-fed infants...more

 

Clinical Evidence for the Role of Probiotics in Mucosal Immune Development and Impact on Respiratory Health and Allergy
Mikael Kuitunen, MD, PhD, University of Helsinki, Finland Infections such as hepatitis A, mumps, and measles have decreased during the last 3 to 4 decades, whereas allergies and Th1 type diseases such as diabetes and Crohn's disease have increased during the same time.¹ The marked increase...more
 

Clinical Evidence for the Role of Dietary Fatty Acids in Mucosal Immune Development: MOA and Impact on Respiratory Health and Allergy
Paul Noakes, PhD, University of Southampton, UK
Interest is growing in the role of early life events and exposure in the etiology and prevention of disease.  Diet and nutrition in pregnancy have a fundamental influence on fetal development, and focus is increasing on the role of key dietary nutrients...more

 

Discussion, Part 3
Leader: Yuan Kun Lee, PhD, National University of Singapore, China
Dr. Lee:  I am sure you agree that we have had four exciting presentations to bring us up to date on studies of probiotics, prebiotics, and fatty acids as dietary components on the subjects we have been talking about.  I would like to start....more