Breast milk microbiome shapes early-life immunity and protects against neonatal sepsis 3370

Abstract Description The development of the microbiome in neonates is influenced by various factors, including breastfeeding and antibiotic exposure, which have implications for conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sepsis. Clinical data indicate that breastfeeding is an effective method for preventing NEC and sepsis in preterm infants. To investigate the relationship between the breast milk-derived microbiome and its protective effects against sepsis in preterm infants, we performed metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples from 197 neonates and corresponding maternal breast milk. The data revealed significant differences in microbiome composition correlated with gestational age, antibiotic use, and breastfeeding. The breast milk samples exhibited distinct microbial clusters, which influenced the composition of the neonatal fecal microbiome. This finding underscores the critical role of breast milk microbiota in early-life gut microbiome development. To assess the functional role of breast milk microbiota in protecting against neonatal sepsis, we employed a mouse model of neonatal sepsis. Our results demonstrated that breast milk-derived microbiota provides protective effects against sepsis and mitigates early-life inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that breast milk plays a key role in shaping neonatal microbiome composition, educating early immune systems, and protecting against sepsis, offering insights for improving outcomes in vulnerable neonates. Funding Sources This work was supported by Korea University grant/K2314101 and K2226821; NRF Korea/RS-2023-00209464 and RS-2023-00302229; MOTIE Korea/20023378; POSCO TJ Foundation Science Fellowship. Topic Categories Immune Mechanisms of Human Disease (HUM)