The maternal microbiota drives early postnatal innate immune development

TLDR

Maternal microbes colonize the fetus in utero and rapidly shape newborn immune development, as early microbial residents influence immune maturation (Gomez de Agüero et al.). The study aimed to determine whether the maternal microbiome influences the infant’s innate immune development during gestation. The authors transiently colonized germ‑free pregnant mice with maternal microbiota to assess its impact. Pups born to colonized mothers exhibited higher counts of specific innate immune cells and altered gut gene‑expression profiles compared to pups from germ‑free mothers. Published in Science, this issue, p.

Abstract

Mom's bugs shape of spring immunity In utero, babies are relatively microbe-free but are quickly colonized at birth. These early microbial residents help to shape our immune systems. Gomez de Agüero et al. wondered whether the maternal microbiome also affects the of springs' immune system during gestation. To do this, they transiently colonized otherwise microbe-free pregnant mice. Compared to those born to microbe-free moms, pups born to colonized moms had increased numbers of certain innate immune cells and different patterns of gene expression in their guts. Science , this issue p. 1296