High Indoor Microbial Levels Are Associated with Reduced Th1 Cytokine Secretion Capacity in Infancy

Abstract

High indoor microbial exposures may affect immune development in early life by reducing T helper type 1 cytokine secretion capacity. The observed hyporesponsiveness may reflect the adaptation of the immune system to environmental antigens. In future, more attention should be paid especially to the immunomodulatory role of exposures to Gram-positive bacteria.