Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 2, 2026
08:42
A Novel Human Epithelial Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: April 10, 2019
8.2K
Human Milk Oligosaccharides Increase Mucin Expression in Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Richard You Wu1,2, Bo Li3, Yuhki Koike3
1Cell Biology Program, Research Institute, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Molecular Nutrition & Food Research
|November 9, 2018
Summary
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) protect preterm infants from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) by increasing intestinal mucin levels. This study identifies protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) as a key mediator in HMO-induced gut protection.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical threat to preterm infant survival, with higher incidence in formula-fed infants.
- Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are known to reduce NEC incidence, but the protective mechanisms remain elusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of HMOs on intestinal mucin levels in a murine NEC model.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which HMOs confer protection against NEC.
Main Methods:
- HMOs were extracted from human breast milk and administered to a murine NEC model.
- Human intestinal epithelial cells and organoids were used to validate findings in vitro.
- Mucin expression, intestinal permeability, bacterial attachment, and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) activity were evaluated.
Main Results:
- HMO administration increased Muc2 mucin levels and reduced intestinal permeability in pups.
- HMO-treated cells exhibited enhanced Muc2 expression, reduced bacterial adhesion, and decreased permeability.
- HMOs were shown to directly induce chaperone protein PDI expression, which is crucial for HMO-mediated protection.
Conclusions:
- HMOs protect the neonatal intestine by upregulating mucin production.
- Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is a key mediator in the protective effects of HMOs against NEC.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Oligosaccharide Assembly
3.7K
Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
3.7K
01:18Increasing Function
394
An increasing function exhibits a rise in output values as input values increase. This behavior is depicted graphically as a curve or line that slopes upward from left to right. Such a function satisfies the condition that if x1 < x2, then f(x1) < f(x2), indicating that the function values grow with increasing inputs. This concept is fundamental in understanding growth trends across various domains, such as population dynamics, financial investments, or resource consumption.The...
394
01:25Increased Body Temperature
7.5K
A body temperature above 38°C (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in...
7.5K
01:17Increased pulse rate
1.2K
Tachycardia is a condition marked by an abnormally fast or irregular heart rate, surpassing the typical resting rate. In adults, tachycardia is characterized by a pulse rate ranging from 100 to 180 beats per minute. The increased heart rate can result in inadequate blood flow to various body parts, ultimately diminishing the oxygen supply to organs and tissues.
Many factors can elevate the risk of developing tachycardia. These include advanced age, a family history of arrhythmias, and an...
Many factors can elevate the risk of developing tachycardia. These include advanced age, a family history of arrhythmias, and an...
1.2K
01:42What is Gene Expression?
196.7K
Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
196.7K
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
16.5K
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
16.5K