title: Differential effects of two probiotics on the risks of eczema and atopy associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms to Toll-like receptors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is strong evidence to support a genetic predisposition to eczema and more recently studies have suggested that probiotics might be used to prevent eczema by modifying the expression of putative allergy-associated genes. The aim of this present study was to investigate whether two probiotics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 (HN019), can modify the known genetic predisposition to eczema conferred by genetic variation in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes in a high-risk infant population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We selected 54 SNPs in the Toll-like receptor genes. These SNPs were analysed in 331 children of sole European ancestry as part of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial examining the effects of HN001 and HN019 supplementation on eczema development and atopic sensitization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data showed that 26 TLR SNPs interacted with HN001 resulting in a significantly reduced risk of eczema, 18 for eczema severity as defined by SCORAD ≥ 10 and 20 for atopic sensitization compared to placebo. There were only two SNPs that interacted with HN019 resulting in a reduced risk of eczema, eczema severity or atopy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to show that the negative impact of specific TLR genotypes may be positively affected by probiotic supplementation. HN001 exhibits a much stronger effect than HN019 in this respect.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition, FM&HS, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Gareth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marlow
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition, FM&HS, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Dug Yeo
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: The Wellington Asthma Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wickens
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.affiliation: The Wellington Asthma Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, FM&HS, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Edwin A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Health Team, Fonterra Research and Development Centre, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dekker
authors.affiliation: The Wellington Asthma Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barthow
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Auckland Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fitzharris
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition, FM&HS, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Lynnette R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Nutrition, FM&HS, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Angharad R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Morgan
mesh_terms: D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004485:Eczema / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D052201:Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus / Q000276:immunology*; D015990:Placebo Effect; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011247:Pregnancy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012306:Risk; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000235:genetics*; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
keywords: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019; Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001; SNPs; Toll-like receptors; atopy; eczema; infants; probiotics