Suppression of milk-derived miR-148a caused by stress plays a role in the decrease in intestinal ZO-1 expression in...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Milk-derived microRNA-148a-3p (miR-148a) is crucial for infant intestinal development.
• Lactational stress is known to alter milk composition but its effect on miR-148a is unstudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between maternal stress and miR-148a expression in breast milk.
• To evaluate the impact of stress-induced changes in milk miR-148a on infant intestinal ZO-1 expression.

Main Methods:

• Assessed maternal psychological stress using POMS-2.
• Measured miR-148a expression in milk from stressed and control mice.
• Analyzed ileal ZO-1 and DNMT1 levels in neonatal mice.
• Investigated miR-148a's effect on ZO-1 and DNMT1 in Caco-2 cells.

Main Results:

• Negative correlation between maternal stress scores and breast milk miR-148a levels.
• Stressed mice milk showed lower miR-148a; offspring had reduced intestinal ZO-1 and increased DNMT1.
• miR-148a overexpression in Caco-2 cells increased ZO-1 and decreased DNMT1.

Conclusions:

• Maternal stress during lactation may suppress breast milk miR-148a.
• Reduced miR-148a may impair infant intestinal ZO-1 expression via DNMT1.
• Monitoring maternal stress is recommended for optimal infant gut health.