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Updated: Sep 2, 2025
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Effect of Intervention of Probiotics in Advance on Treg/Th17 in Premature Mice
Mengmeng Liu1, Juanjuan Mao1, Shifa Zhang1
1Department of Pediatrics, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, 241001 Anhui, China.
Insights
Probiotics promote regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation and inhibit Th17 cell differentiation in preterm mice. This immune modulation may involve regulating cytokines like IL-2, IL-6, and TGF-β, aiding immune development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Preterm birth can lead to immune system dysfunction.
- Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 cells play critical roles in immune balance.
- The impact of probiotics on preterm immune development requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Treg and Th17 cell differentiation in preterm mice.
- To assess the effects of probiotics on immune function in preterm neonates.
- To explore the correlation between probiotic administration and Treg/Th17 dynamics.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model of preterm birth was established using mifepristone (RU486).
- Newborn mice received either probiotics or normal saline (NS) gavage.
- Flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used for immune cell and cytokine analysis.
Main Results:
- Full-term mice showed higher Foxp3 (Treg) and lower IL-17 (Th17) expression compared to preterm mice.
- IL-2 levels were highest in full-term and lowest in preterm mice; IL-6 and TGF-β showed inverse trends.
- Probiotic intervention promoted Treg differentiation and inhibited Th17 differentiation in preterm mice.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics appear beneficial for immune system development and maturation in preterm neonates.
- Probiotic preintervention may help regulate the Treg/Th17 ratio in preterm mice.
- The mechanism involves modulating cytokine secretions, including IL-2, IL-6, and TGF-β.
Abstract:
To preliminarily understand the differentiation characteristics of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and Th17 at a different time in preterm mice, the impacts of probiotics on immune function progression, as well as the correlation of probiotics with Tregs and Th17. On embryonic day 18 of gestation, a mouse model of preterm birth was built using mifepristone (RU486). Following IPI of RU486, newborn mice were randomized to probiotics or NS gavage administration. Full-term newborn mice were given the same dose of NS gavage administration. Phenotypic analysis of peripheral immune cell frequency was performed using flow cytometry. Cytokine measurements were phenotyped by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. On the 14th and 21st days after birth, the highest and lowest expressions of Foxp3, the Treg transcription factor, were observed in full-term mice and premature mice by NS gavage administration, respectively, while the opposite trend was found in the Th17 transcription factor IL-17.IL-2, IL-6, and TGF-β rose with age but showed different trends among the three groups. IL-2 is the highest in full-term mice and the lowest in premature mice. IL-6 and TGF-β is the lowest in full-term mice and the highest in premature mice. Probiotics are beneficial to the development and maturation of the immune system, which may play a role in regulating the ratio of Treg/Th17. Probiotic preintervention can effectively promote the differentiation of Treg and inhibit the differentiation of Th17 in premature mice. Its mechanism of action may play a biological role by regulating cytokine (IL-2, IL-6, and TGF-β) secretions.
