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Fungal Microbiome Diversity in Urban Forest Decreases Asthma and Allergic Inflammation

Summary

This study found that living near urban forests with diverse fungal species may protect against asthma. Researchers collected fungi from air samples in Seoul and found that areas with more forests had fewer asthma cases. Laboratory tests showed that fungi from forests were better at reducing allergic inflammation than fungi from city centers. The diversity of fungal species, rather than specific types, appeared to provide protective benefits.

Background

The prevalence of allergic diseases including asthma has increased globally alongside rapid urbanization. While urban forests are recognized for environmental benefits, current evidence on their association with asthma morbidity remains inconclusive. Fungal microbiome diversity is increasingly recognized as contributing to asthma pathogenesis.

Objective

To analyze airborne fungal microbiomes from urban forests and urban centers to understand how exposure to fungal diversity affects asthma and allergic inflammatory responses. The study examined the relationship between urban forest distribution and asthma episodes in Seoul Metropolitan City.

Results

Fungal microbiome diversity in urban forests was significantly higher than in urban centers. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the number of urban forests per district and asthma episodes. Fungal strains from urban forests significantly suppressed allergic inflammation in activated HMC-1 cells and lungs of the asthma animal model compared to urban center strains.

Conclusion

Fungal microbiome diversity from urban forests plays a role in reducing asthma morbidity and modulating allergic inflammation. The findings support urban forests as essential components of health-supportive environments and suggest that increased fungal microbial diversity may protect against allergic immune responses.
  • Published in:Allergy Asthma Immunol Res,
  • Study Type:Observational Epidemiological Study with In Vitro and In Vivo Experimental Components,
  • Source: PMID: 40736775, DOI: 10.4168/aair.2025.17.4.460
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