New Insights into How Baby Nose Gene Activity Is Linked to Wheezing Illnesses

Recent research from the Barwon Infant Study has uncovered a significant connection between gene activity in babies' noses and their risk of developing wheezing illnesses later in childhood. The study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, provides important insights into early respiratory development and its influence on respiratory health.

Scientists collected nasal swabs from healthy infants at just one month old and analyzed the gene expression patterns. They discovered that babies who later experienced recurrent wheezing exhibited distinct gene activity profiles characterized by heightened immune cell activity, changes in mitochondrial function, and decreased epithelial barrier and cilia formation. These findings suggest that early gene expression in the respiratory tract can indicate a predisposition to respiratory illnesses.

Dr. Poshmaal Dhar, the study's lead author from Deakin University, emphasized that these gene patterns reflect crucial early development processes of the respiratory system. Prof. Peter Vuillermin highlighted the importance of understanding these differences, as recurrent wheezing is a common reason for hospitalization in infants and a predictor of future asthma.

This research advances the understanding of how disruptions in normal respiratory development may set the stage for respiratory conditions. The study underscores the potential for early identification and intervention strategies to prevent persistent wheezing and possibly asthma later in life.

The Barwon Infant Study, a long-term cohort involving over a thousand mothers and their children since 2010, offers a rich resource for exploring the pathways leading to respiratory health issues. Ongoing research aims to develop targeted preventive and therapeutic approaches based on these genetic and molecular insights.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-link-gene-babies-noses-wheezing.html