Unique maternal immune and functional microbial profiles during prenatal stress

Abstract

Maternal stress during pregnancy is widespread and stress-induced fetal neuroinflammation is thought to derive from a disruption in intrauterine immune homeostasis, though the exact origins are incompletely defined. We aimed to identify divergent immune and microbial metagenome profiles of stressed gestating mice that may underlie detrimental inflammatory signaling at the maternal-fetal interface. In response to stress, maternal glucocorticoid circuit activation corresponded with diminished spleen mass and IL-1β production, reflecting systemic immunosuppression. At the maternal-fetal interface, density of placental mononuclear leukocytes decreased with stress. Yet maternal whole blood leukocyte analysis indicated monocytosis and classical M1 phenotypic shifts. Genome-resolved microbial metagenomic analyses revealed reductions in genes, microbial strains, and metabolic pathways in stressed dams that are primarily associated with pro-inflammatory function. Overall, these data indicate that stress disrupts maternal immunological and microbial regulation during pregnancy, characterized by concurrent anti-and pro-inflammatory signatures, which may displace immune equilibrium at the maternal-fetal interface.

Forced expiratory flows and diffusion capacity in infants born from mothers with pre‐eclampsia

“…It may be that maternal stress results in higher in utero exposure to stress hormones which in turn can affect the development of the lung and the immune system. 27,28 In prior studies of airway function among full-term infants without Pre-E, higher airway function during infancy was associated with a lower risk for subsequent wheezing in the first year of life. 29 We found a similar relationship between higher FEFs and lower risk of wheeze only when all subjects were evaluated as a single group, but not for the individual groups (control, nonsevere, and severe…”

“…The mechanism by which severe Pre‐E results in lower wheezing risk is unclear. It may be that maternal stress results in higher in utero exposure to stress hormones which in turn can affect the development of the lung and the immune system 27,28 …”

Steamed broccoli sprouts alleviate DSS-induced inflammation and retain gut microbial biogeography in mice

“…It is possible that other breakdown products of glucosinolates, such as aromatic carbohydrate compounds in broccoli sprouts (70), caused this enrichment. P. excrementihominis has also been associated with inflammation in the gut in observation-based studies, however in metabolic pathway-based studies appears to be an important contributor to nitrate reduction in the gut and in reducing stress-related inflammation (71). Nitrates are low in raw broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, but this can be increased by freezing (72).…”