Maternal microbe-specific modulation of the offspring microbiome and development during pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

The maternal microbiome is essential for the healthy growth and development of offspring and has long-term effects later in life. Recent advances indicate that the maternal microbiome begins to regulate fetal health and development during pregnancy. Furthermore, the maternal microbiome continues to affect early microbial colonization via birth and breastfeeding. Compelling evidence indicates that the maternal microbiome is involved in the regulation of immune and brain development and affects the risk of related diseases. Modulating offspring development by maternal diet and probiotic intervention during pregnancy and breastfeeding could be a promising therapy in the future. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of maternal microbiota development, perinatal microbial metabolite transfer, mother-to-infant microbial transmission during/after birth and its association with immune and brain development as well as corresponding diseases.

Bifidobacterium breve Protects the Intestinal Epithelium and Mitigates Inflammation in Colitis via Regulating the Gut Microbiota–Cholic Acid Pathway

“…Bifidobacterium strains, which are simultaneously most abundant in the infant’s gut, can be vertically transmitted through breast milk, resulting in a higher presence of Bifidobacterium in breastfed infants compared to nonbreastfed counterparts. Early transfer of Bifidobacterium from breast milk to the infant’s gut promotes the healthy development of the infant’s intestinal tract and protects infants from certain diseases. , In our study, we isolated Bifidobacterium from human breast milk and infant feces, exploring their protective effects on colitis in mice. In this work, Bifidobacterium was found to protect intestinal epithelial cells and mitigate inflammation.…”

“…Early transfer of Bifidobacterium from breast milk to the infant's gut promotes the healthy development of the infant's intestinal tract and protects infants from certain diseases. 12,13 In our study, we isolated Bifidobacterium from human breast milk and infant feces, exploring their protective effects on colitis in mice. In this work, Bifidobacterium was found to protect intestinal epithelial cells and mitigate inflammation.…”

“…Human breast milk is the most ideal food for infants, promoting the enrichment of Bifidobacterium in their intestines. Bifidobacterium metabolites may potentially exert immunological or metabolic modulatory effects in breastfed infants. , Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a prevalent intestinal ailment in premature infants, presents a significant challenge . Previous studies have revealed the association between Bifidobacterium deficiency and the higher incidence of intestinal disorders .…”

The Maternal Diet Index and Offspring Microbiota at 1 Month of Life: Insights from the Mediterranean Birth Cohort MAMI

“…It is known that the infant gut microbiome is associated with a range of offspring health outcomes [ 4 ]. A small number of studies show the effect of nutritional intake during pregnancy on the infant gut microbiota [ 2 , 5 ].…”

Perturbed maternal microbiota shapes offspring microbiota during early colonization period in mice

“…1) The early-life gut microbiota is primarily seeded by the environmental microbes that offspring encounter from the time of delivery, and the maternal microbiota plays a pivotal role in colonization of the gut microbiota of offspring. 2), 3) Various factors, such as exposure to antibiotics or other microbe-affecting drugs, infection, stress, and diet during perinatal periods, can significantly alter the maternal offspring gut microbiota, it remains unclear to what extent the offspring inherit the profiles of the perturbed maternal gut microbiota, which directly influences the health outcomes of offspring.…”