They Are What You Eat: Can Nutritional Factors during Gestation and Early Infancy Modulate the Neonatal Immune Response?

Prentice, Sarah

doi:10.3389/fimmu.2017.01641

Cited by 42 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 314 publications

(275 reference statements)

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“…In mammals, development of the thymus starts in the early phase of gestation when thymocyte progenitors travel from the bone marrow via the blood stream to colonise the thymic anlage (1,2) . As it is particularly sensitive to its environment (3,4) , early-life nutrition is a major determinant in the development of the thymus (5,6) . In humans, fetal malnutrition is associated with altered development and premature involution of the thymus (7,8) .…”

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confidence: 99%

Intra-uterine growth restriction induced by maternal low-protein diet causes long-term alterations of thymic structure and function in adult male rat offspring

et al. 2020

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Early malnutrition, the first environmental cause of intra-uterine growth restriction, impairs development of the thymus. Alterations of the thymic structure and function are reported at young ages in murine and ovine models. However, descriptions of thymic consequences of fetal malnutrition at adulthood are scarce. The present study investigates thymic structure, protein expression and cell selection process observed at postnatal day 180 (PND180) in male offspring of rats exposed to maternal low-protein diet (mLPD) compared with control diet during gestation. The thymic index was lower in adult offspring exposed to mLPD (P < 0·05). The thymic cortico-medullar ratio was lower in adult offspring exposed to mLPD (P < 0·05). At PND180, the protein expression of the lymphotoxin β receptor (P < 0·05), the autoimmune regulator (P < 0·05) and Forkhead Box P3 (FoxP3; P < 0·05) was all significantly lower in the mLPD group. The CD4+:CD8+ single-positive thymocyte subpopulation ratio and CD4+:CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulation ratio were increased in the mLPD group (P < 0·05). Among CD3+ lymphocytes, the proportions of CD4+CD8+ double-positive lymphocytes, CD31+ recent thymic emigrants and CD4+FoxP3+ lymphocytes were not significantly different between mLPD and control groups. These findings suggest mLPD during gestation induced long-lasting alterations in the development of thymic structure and thymic cell maturation and selection process in adult male rat offspring.

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confidence: 99%

Intra-uterine growth restriction induced by maternal low-protein diet causes long-term alterations of thymic structure and function in adult male rat offspring

et al. 2020

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“…It is well established that overt (clinical) micronutrient deficiencies adversely affect the immune system and predispose individuals to infections [58,[106][107][108] ( Table 2). For example, micronutrient deficiency is known to increase the risk of morbidity and mortality associated with measles, pneumonia, and diarrheal disease [58,[109][110][111]-all common infections encountered worldwide and among the leading causes of death [112]. Even in industrialized countries, multiple micronutrient deficiencies are widespread and may exacerbate the risk of infection [113,114].…”

Section: Impact Of Micronutrient Status On the Immune Response And Rimentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System–Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection

2020

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Immune support by micronutrients is historically based on vitamin C deficiency and supplementation in scurvy in early times. It has since been established that the complex, integrated immune system needs multiple specific micronutrients, including vitamins A, D, C, E, B6, and B12, folate, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, which play vital, often synergistic roles at every stage of the immune response. Adequate amounts are essential to ensure the proper function of physical barriers and immune cells; however, daily micronutrient intakes necessary to support immune function may be higher than current recommended dietary allowances. Certain populations have inadequate dietary micronutrient intakes, and situations with increased requirements (e.g., infection, stress, and pollution) further decrease stores within the body. Several micronutrients may be deficient, and even marginal deficiency may impair immunity. Although contradictory data exist, available evidence indicates that supplementation with multiple micronutrients with immune-supporting roles may modulate immune function and reduce the risk of infection. Micronutrients with the strongest evidence for immune support are vitamins C and D and zinc. Better design of human clinical studies addressing dosage and combinations of micronutrients in different populations are required to substantiate the benefits of micronutrient supplementation against infection.

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Section: Micronutrient Requirements and Reported Deficienciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In babies and infants, breast milk is the major nutritional influence and is formulated to ensure that nutritional needs are met [ 49 , 71 ]. Breastmilk contains various immunological components such as antibodies (e.g., antigen-specific IgA), anti-inflammatory cytokines and other antimicrobial factors, but also most of the micronutrients necessary to support neonatal development, including of the immune system [ 49 , 71 ]. The concentrations of certain micronutrients in breastmilk (e.g., calcium, magnesium, and copper) are regulated by maternal homeostatic mechanisms (i.e., independent of maternal nutritional status and diet) to ensure they are sufficient to meet infant needs [ 72 ] and to protect them against deficiency or excess [ 71 , 73 , 74 , 75 ].…”

Section: Micronutrient Requirements and Reported Deficienciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immune Function and Micronutrient Requirements Change over the Life Course

2018

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As humans age, the risk and severity of infections vary in line with immune competence according to how the immune system develops, matures, and declines. Several factors influence the immune system and its competence, including nutrition. A bidirectional relationship among nutrition, infection and immunity exists: changes in one component affect the others. For example, distinct immune features present during each life stage may affect the type, prevalence, and severity of infections, while poor nutrition can compromise immune function and increase infection risk. Various micronutrients are essential for immunocompetence, particularly vitamins A, C, D, E, B2, B6, and B12, folic acid, iron, selenium, and zinc. Micronutrient deficiencies are a recognized global public health issue, and poor nutritional status predisposes to certain infections. Immune function may be improved by restoring deficient micronutrients to recommended levels, thereby increasing resistance to infection and supporting faster recovery when infected. Diet alone may be insufficient and tailored micronutrient supplementation based on specific age-related needs necessary. This review looks at immune considerations specific to each life stage, the consequent risk of infection, micronutrient requirements and deficiencies exhibited over the life course, and the available evidence regarding the effects of micronutrient supplementation on immune function and infection.

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They Are What You Eat: Can Nutritional Factors during Gestation and Early Infancy Modulate the Neonatal Immune Response?

Cited by 42 publications

References 314 publications

Intra-uterine growth restriction induced by maternal low-protein diet causes long-term alterations of thymic structure and function in adult male rat offspring

Intra-uterine growth restriction induced by maternal low-protein diet causes long-term alterations of thymic structure and function in adult male rat offspring

A Review of Micronutrients and the Immune System–Working in Harmony to Reduce the Risk of Infection

Immune Function and Micronutrient Requirements Change over the Life Course

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