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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Preclinical Immunomodulation by the Probiotic Bifidobacterium breve M-16V in Early Life
Maria Del Mar Rigo-Adrover1,2, Àngels Franch1,2, Margarida Castell1,2
1Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l'Alimentació, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Supplementing neonatal rats with Bifidobacterium breve M-16V improved mucosal immunity, enhancing intestinal IgA synthesis and immune cell homing. This probiotic intervention supported early-life gut immune development without affecting overall growth.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Early-life immune system development is crucial for long-term health.
- The gut microbiome plays a significant role in immune maturation.
- Probiotics are being explored for their potential to modulate infant immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Bifidobacterium breve M-16V supplementation on immune system maturation in suckling rats.
- To assess the effects on both the intestinal and circulating immune compartments.
- To determine if early-life probiotic exposure influences immune cell populations and function.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal Lewis rats were supplemented with Bifidobacterium breve M-16V from day 6 to 18 of life.
- Animal weight and fecal samples were monitored daily.
- Immune cells were isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), spleen, and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) for analysis on day 19.
Main Results:
- Probiotic supplementation did not alter growth curves or systemic immune maturation.
- Increased proportion of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-bearing cells in MLN and IEL.
- Enhanced expression of integrin αEβ7 and CD62L in MLN, and integrin αEβ7 in IEL, suggesting improved lymphocyte homing and retention.
- Significant increase in intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Supplementation with Bifidobacterium breve M-16V during suckling enhances mucosal immunity development.
- The probiotic promotes specific immune responses within the gut, including IgA production and lymphocyte trafficking.
- Early-life probiotic intervention offers a potential strategy for supporting gut immune health.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium breve M-16V on the maturation of the intestinal and circulating immune system during suckling. In order to achieve this purpose, neonatal Lewis rats were supplemented with the probiotic strain from the 6th to the 18th day of life. The animals were weighed during the study, and faecal samples were obtained and evaluated daily. On day 19, rats were euthanized and intestinal wash samples, mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells, splenocytes and intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were obtained. The probiotic supplementation in early life did not modify the growth curve and did not enhance the systemic immune maturation. However, it increased the proportion of cells bearing TLR4 in the MLN and IEL, and enhanced the percentage of the integrin αEβ7+ and CD62L+ cells in the MLN and that of the integrin αEβ7+ cells in the IEL, suggesting an enhancement of the homing process of naïve T lymphocytes to the MLN, and the retention of activated lymphocytes in the intraepithelial compartment. Interestingly, B. breve M-16V enhanced the intestinal IgA synthesis. In conclusion, supplementation with the probiotic strain B. breve M-16V during suckling improves the development of mucosal immunity in early life.
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