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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Microbial colonization programs are structured by breastfeeding and guide healthy respiratory development
Liat Shenhav1, Kelsey Fehr2, Myrtha E Reyna3
1Institute for Systems Genetics, New York Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Microbiology, New York Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Computer Science, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Insights
Extended breastfeeding promotes healthy infant microbial development, reducing the risk of preschool asthma. Early cessation disrupts this crucial window, increasing asthma risk through altered gut bacteria and functions.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Infant immunology
- Respiratory health
Background:
- Breastfeeding and infant microbial colonization are critical for immune development and respiratory health.
- Mechanisms of breastfeeding's protective effects and microbial regulation remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding, infant microbiomes, and preschool asthma.
- To identify microbial and milk components mediating breastfeeding's protective effects.
Main Methods:
- Profiling nasal and gut microbiomes in 2,227 children from the CHILD Cohort Study.
- Analyzing breastfeeding characteristics and maternal milk composition.
- Correlating microbiome patterns and milk components with asthma risk.
Main Results:
- Identified colonization patterns and milk components that predict preschool asthma.
- Early breastfeeding cessation (before 3 months) linked to premature microbial acquisition (e.g., Ruminococcus gnavus, tryptophan biosynthesis).
- Longer exclusive breastfeeding associated with paced microbial development and protection against asthma.
Conclusions:
- Extended breastfeeding is crucial for infant respiratory health.
- Microbial colonization patterns and specific milk components play a key role in asthma development.
- Targeting microbial pathways may offer new interventions for preventing childhood asthma.
Abstract:
Breastfeeding and microbial colonization during infancy occur within a critical time window for development, and both are thought to influence the risk of respiratory illness. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of breastfeeding and the regulation of microbial colonization are poorly understood. Here, we profiled the nasal and gut microbiomes, breastfeeding characteristics, and maternal milk composition of 2,227 children from the CHILD Cohort Study. We identified robust colonization patterns that, together with milk components, predict preschool asthma and mediate the protective effects of breastfeeding. We found that early cessation of breastfeeding (before 3 months) leads to the premature acquisition of microbial species and functions, including Ruminococcus gnavus and tryptophan biosynthesis, which were previously linked to immune modulation and asthma. Conversely, longer exclusive breastfeeding supports a paced microbial development, protecting against asthma. These findings underscore the importance of extended breastfeeding for respiratory health and highlight potential microbial targets for intervention.
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