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Mother's milk-induced Hsp70 expression preserves intestinal epithelial barrier function in an immature rat pup model
Jennifer L Liedel1, Yuee Guo, Yueyue Yu
1Department of Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Insights
Mother's milk enhances heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in preterm infant intestines, supporting gut barrier function. This finding may lead to strategies for protecting vulnerable newborns from intestinal injury.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular biology
Background:
- Preterm infants have immature gastrointestinal systems, increasing risks of conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis.
- The intestinal epithelial barrier is crucial for gut health.
- Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) protects the intestinal epithelium in adult models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Hsp70 in protecting the immature intestine of preterm infants.
- To determine if mother's milk influences Hsp70 expression in the neonatal gut.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of Hsp70 expression in the intestines of immature rat pups.
- Analysis of Hsp70 presence in mother's milk.
- Assessment of Hsp70's colocalization with tight junction protein ZO-1.
Main Results:
- Hsp70 expression is induced by exposure to mother's milk in immature rat intestines.
- Hsp70 is present in mother's milk and its transcription is increased by milk.
- Induced Hsp70 was found to colocalize with the tight junction protein ZO-1.
Conclusions:
- Mother's milk actively induces Hsp70 in the immature ileum.
- Hsp70 induced by mother's milk may help maintain intestinal barrier integrity against oxidant stress.
- Further research can explore methods to enhance Hsp70 for at-risk preterm infants.
Abstract:
Preterm infants face many challenges in transitioning from the in utero to extrauterine environment while still immature. Failure of the preterm gut to successfully mature to accommodate bacteria and food substrate leads to significant morbidity such as neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. The intestinal epithelial barrier plays a critical role in gut protection. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is an inducible cytoprotective molecule shown to protect the intestinal epithelium in adult models. To investigate the hypothesis that Hsp70 may be important for early protection of the immature intestine, Hsp70 expression was evaluated in intestine of immature rat pups. Data demonstrate that Hsp70 is induced by exposure to mother's milk. Hsp70 is found in mother's milk, and increased Hsp70 transcription is induced by mother's milk. This Hsp70 colocalizes with the tight junction protein ZO-1. Mother's milk-induced Hsp70 may contribute to maintenance of barrier function in the face of oxidant stress. Further understanding of the means by which mother's milk increases Hsp70 in the ileum will allow potential means of strengthening the intestinal barrier in at-risk preterm infants.
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