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Published on: November 15, 2019
Neonatal intestinal mucus barrier changes in response to maturity, inflammation, and sodium decanoate supplementation
Janni Støvring Mortensen1, Søren S-R Bohr1,2, Lasse Skjoldborg Krog1
1Center for Biopharmaceuticals and Biobarriers in Drug Delivery (BioDelivery), Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Neonatal intestinal mucus barrier development varies by maturity. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) increases mucus permeability, highlighting the need for tailored infant gut health therapies.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatal Physiology
- Mucosal Immunology
Background:
- The intestinal mucus barrier is vital for infant defense against pathogens.
- Postnatal development and adaptive capacity of the neonatal mucus barrier are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of the intestinal mucus barrier in preterm versus term piglets.
- To examine the impact of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and sodium decanoate on mucus barrier properties.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of mucus microstructure and diffusivity in preterm and term piglets.
- Assessment of mucus barrier function in piglets with and without NEC.
- Evaluation of sodium decanoate's effect on mucus diffusivity across different maturity and health states.
Main Results:
- Preterm piglets exhibit enhanced mucus microstructure and reduced diffusivity compared to term piglets.
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is linked to increased mucus diffusivity, compromising barrier integrity.
- Sodium decanoate's impact on mucus diffusivity is dependent on piglet maturity and health status.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal mucosal barrier regulation is complex, influenced by age, maturity, and health.
- Distinct developmental paths exist for the mucus barrier in preterm and term infants.
- Therapeutic strategies for neonatal gut health require age- and condition-specific approaches.
Abstract:
The integrity of the intestinal mucus barrier is crucial for human health, as it serves as the body's first line of defense against pathogens. However, postnatal development of the mucus barrier and interactions between maturity and its ability to adapt to external challenges in neonatal infants remain unclear. In this study, we unveil a distinct developmental trajectory of the mucus barrier in preterm piglets, leading to enhanced mucus microstructure and reduced mucus diffusivity compared to term piglets. Notably, we found that necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is associated with increased mucus diffusivity of our large pathogen model compound, establishing a direct link between the NEC condition and the mucus barrier. Furthermore, we observed that addition of sodium decanoate had varying effects on mucus diffusivity depending on maturity and health state of the piglets. These findings demonstrate that regulatory mechanisms governing the neonatal mucosal barrier are highly complex and are influenced by age, maturity, and health conditions. Therefore, our results highlight the need for specific therapeutic strategies tailored to each neonatal period to ensure optimal gut health.
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